"Ho Ho Ho"

Yesterday we went to see Santa. I have been prepping Delaney for this for a couple weeks now.... last year, did not go so well. I thought this year might be okay because she did so well with all the characters in Disneyland. I asked her, yet again, what she was going to tell Santa she wanted for Christmas and again, she said a helicopter (crap....gotta get a helicopter) and Brody wants a black monkey. I was seriously nervous for her to sit on his lap....you never know what is going to come out of that child's mouth. I was afraid she would tell him that she has been naughty because she says bad words like, shut up, stupid and son a bitch (this has been a reoccurring conversation lately- for real).

My parents came with me for 'help' but really I think they just wanted to see the comedy first hand. Luckily we went in the morning and there was no line. Delaney saw Santa right away and he was a sweetie and waved at her. Then she got a bit nervous. Instantly, she grabbed Granddaddy's hand a her finger went in her mouth (but no ear plugging!!). Brody saw him too.... his look of concern was instant. He calls Santa "Ho Ho Ho" and he does it in a low voice that makes you smile.

"I not scared"

Brody: What the heck is that guy??

Hmmm...he seems okay.

We started the journey at the magical mailbox where they are able to throw their wishes into it and snow flies out at them. Delaney- not a fan and Brody got the shivers like we gave him a shot of tequila or something. Then they head over to the Naughty or Nice station and press the button. Delaney was worried....

Pressing the button. Ready to find out her fate.

Okay....am I naughty or nice today  (she got nice:)

Brody's turn

Then it was time. Time to meet the big guy. We strategically planned our attack. My dad would put Delaney down and my mom would put Brody down and I would snap the picture. Delaney was 'beary brave' and held onto to that big, fluffy man- who by the way, was the same man who pinched me last year! Anyway, Brody froze. His arms were out like 'somebody get me the heck outta here' and his mouth was open in shock. Delaney told Santa what they wanted and I quickly grabbed Brody before he had flipped out and slapped him. He looked at Santa and said, "Bye Guy" in his deep voice.

Seriously... Brody

Mom.... wth?

Nana? Anyone?

We finished off our mall adventure by looking at helicopters and cars and Brody got a ride on Granddaddy.

Waiting to see the pictures

Checking em out with Granddaddy

Nana and Delaney checking out the helicopters

Brody hitchin a ride. 

Laughing All the Way.... Not So Much

The day had arrived. Time to meet Santa. I have been telling Delaney (and Brody) about Santa for awhile now. We have been reading lots of books, watching movies and singing songs all about the BIG GUY. We decided to go first thing in the morning on a weekday, smart planning. I woke up this morning and immediately began prepping Delaney for what was to come. I would say, "Munch, do you want to go see Santa today at his house and sit on his lap?" Delaney: "Oh, ok... see Seenta Clous? Lap? Huwway up!" I would ask her what she was going to say to him. She decided on this, "Oh, hello Seenta, how are you?" I loved it and had her keep practicing. This spilled into the car...the whole way there- I would say, "No crying ok? He's really nice and furry!" Delaney:"Oh! Ok, cereal peez?" Yeah, I wasn't buying it.

We get to the mall and my sister is there. She tells us that there is a way long line. WHAT?! Don't kids go to school? Turns out, not so much when it's a holiday break that STARTED TODAY! Awesome!! So we get in the silly line and then Delaney sees him. "Wook Mommy, Seenta!" She was so excited to see him. We reached the front of the line and Delaney got to open the magic mailbox and snow flew out and went in her mouth so she quickly spit it out, on Seenta's floor. She then pressed the naughty or nice button- she got nice- hmmm....seems a bit rigged. Then we got a little closer to the jolly fella and Brody became increasingly concerned. He would look and look back at me like- NO WAY MOM.

Waiting to see Seenta

Delaney and Nana

Brody and Aunt Danielle

Finally, the moment was ours. I walked Delaney over and as soon as I got close...... she wrapped herself around me like a boa constrictor and pinched the crap out of my back fat. My mom quickly put Brody down on 'Seenta's" lap and walked away. I was not so lucky. I knew it was a lost cause so I said, "Scoot over Santa",  and I sat down. At this point, Brody was screaming, Delaney was crying, I was laughing and then Santa poked me in my side. Hello! FRESH! And just like that, it was over. As we were leaving, Delaney looked at Seenta with a tear streaked face and said, "Bye Seenta. How are you?" She did it.

Merry Christmas......

Btw this handsome man

is 8 months old today!

Just so ya know....

he weighs 25 pounds (no that is not a mis-print)

he is in a big boy car seat

he is crawling like a maniac

he pulls himself up on furniture and then lets go, forgetting that his head weighs a ton

he claps when you say "yay" and is very pleased when you do

he sucks at sleeping

his favorite thing in the world is taking a bath

he thinks Delaney is the coolest

he is 25 pounds of cuddle

I love him.