The Hutchinson Family: Visit with Santa

We logged onto the web at midnight on October 6th to make an appointment to see Santa. Yes – you heard it correctly. The new “system” is to make an appointment, which is a great system because it prevents long wait times, but there are a lot of people that want these appointments, so they fill up quickly. We got a great time and our appointment was yesterday at 5:30. The kiddos were perfectly dressed and could not have looked better. They were so excited to see Santa and even started to walk up to see him before it was our turn. They were eager. Then – it was our turn. I walked up with them to see him and Ryan sat down on his lap. He wasn’t totally sure about it, but he did it. Then it was Riley’s turn and it all went south from there. Riley clung to me like her life depended on it and her panic and tears brought on Ryan’s tears. Santa quickly stepped in and decided to let Mommy and Daddy sit in his chair holding the kiddos while he stood by us. The photo this year will have no tears, but it’s a bit odd to me that we are in it. That was not the plan, but does anything ever happen as planned around here? What happened to the photo of the screaming crying children sitting on Santa’s lap? I was completely prepared for that one, but we got one of the 5 of us. Once we were done with photos they got their candy canes and were as happy as could be. They even talked about seeing “Ho Ho” and were thrilled that they were able to do it. I will never understand it, but at least I know we didn’t traumatize them for life!