I made Chex Muddy Buddies(AKA puppy chow) and gave them all $5 Starbucks cards.Thursday we went to their class parties and then checked them out an hour early and took them to the mall to see Santa. Yay, I'm so glad we went when we did! There was only one family in front of us in line! Justin has refused to have any part in sitting with Santa ever since the Screaming Fit of 2004. Yeah, it's awful, but it will probably always be my favorite Christmas picture ever, because it's the one that makes me laugh every time.
But this year he joyfully walked up, said "Hi Santa" hopped up on his lap and in the very first snap, we got this amazing picture. What a difference a few years make!
He didn't stay long, but he handled it well and we were proud of him.
They gave us coupons for a free cookie for each of them, so that part was great too. He wasn't happy on the way out because he kept seeing toys and he didn't like the idea that he was leaving without getting anything other than a cookie. Yeah, patience is not his strong suit.Ollie is back this year, and our elf brought a note from Santa this morning. Apparently Ollie has seen the meltdowns and the disobedience, but he has also seen some very kind and loving behavior too. Maybe the reminder will keep them in check for a few more days. One can only hope, right? I'd hate for Santa to bring them nothing but coal, but I have a feeling Santa will be kind to them this year.
I need to get busy wrapping stuff today as I've only wrapped one present so far. Oh and I've not yet sent out one Christmas card. Yeah, queen of procrastination, here, I know.
7 comments:
Thanks for commenting...I have been checking your blog often and am glad to read about your Santa pictures. I wanted to tell you that a few years has made a huge difference in my son....he still doesn't and hasn't sat with Santa since he was about 8 months old, but as far as many other things go...things have gotten easier. We still definitely have challenges, and I know new challenges will come. I read what you wrote about the Christmas letter and not wanting to write one, since you were still potty training your 5 year old; and it hit me in the head (like a ton of bricks) that I think that is what held me back from writing one as well. I didn't know what to say, in a letter, about Cal. Cal wasn't pee potty trained until he was 5 1/2 and poo potty trained until he was about 7 1/2....I don't know if that is discouraging or encouraging. I remember thinking it was NEVER going to happen. I even posted about people saying stuff about that (several months ago...Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say....because people would always tell me..."Don't worry, he won't go to kindergarten in diapers." Well he did). I hope I'm not discouraging you....that is not my intent....I wanted to let you know that we have struggled, with it sounds like, are many of your struggles. They are different, because our children are different; but they sound a lot the same, because our children are also the same. Sorry for the rambling, and again I hope I haven't discouraged, offended, or sounded like I am trying to minimalize or sugar coat anything...I am definitely not trying to do that.
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! I am inspired by you!
Thanks Lorie. And of course you did not offend. :) Your kind words are much appreciated. I know he'll get there eventually and I'll probably not be dealing with potty training and puberty at the same time.
It's just sometimes hard when you hear about other kids accomplishments - it's a reminder of how much hasn't hasn't yet done or might never do.
That first picture is funny. I'm guessing, though, that it wasn't so funny at the time!
i'm with jen...that first shot is hilarious but I'm sure you were so stressed!!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I occassionally peak at your blog and this picture was so encouraging. My little guy is 3 years old and our Santa picture this year would look EXTREMELY familiar to you. So it's so nice to see...this too will change :0)
:) I know - a few years ago I wouldn't have thought he would ever want to see Santa again. I think going at the right time of day, and avoiding the crowds and long lines helped. The 2004 picture wasn't funny at the time, he was freaking out. But when we all got settled back down and I really looked at the picture, well it just totally cracked me up. Often my favorite pics are not the ones with perfect smiles, but the ones that truly the real person.
I just love this years picture with Santa! Yea! It's adorable!
Merry, merry Christmas, Leanne!
And to both Lorie and Leanne...I have one 15 year old that is still not poo trained. Ugh...yes, puberty and potty training together. :(
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