Santa

Hi Friends!
I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas break. I know I need the break and we have been having a great time with my folks here (though thanks to all the cheese and peanuts I am more "fat cat" than "fit cat" these days, though I have been making a point to get out and walk and run almost every day. But I digress..) Had to turn the news off tonight with all the recent fire fighter and police shootings across the States, it is really hard to stomach anymore. So much sadness and tragedy going on in our Country, hard to get past it some days..

Which is why I am bringing you quite possibly the BEST Christmas event I can tell about one of my kids!! If this doesn't make you feel a little lighter, I don't know what will.

Me, Husband, my folks and Youngest were at Sam's Club Saturday afternoon. I didn't even think about it, but Santa was there for pics with the kids. While we waited for Grammy and PopPop to check out, Youngest and I sat on the bench of one of the picnic tables they have at the check out (side note: does anyone really eat a meal at Sam's Club? Why are there so many tables? Is it the staff lounge, too??). Husband said he was going to say Hi to Santa and asked Youngest to come along. Youngest gave a very resounding "Noooooooo" so Husband went over anyway. I sort of lost track of what was going on as Youngest and I were debating which was the better Combo Meal: Hot Dog and Coke or A Slice of Pizza and Coke. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Red and I hear "Hello Youngest and Merry Christmas!". Holy Crap! It was Santa and he KNEW Youngest's name (Husband had asked him to come say hi)!! I wish to heaven I knew it was going to happen because the look on Youngest's face is forever etched in my mind. He was stunned, sacred and excited all in 4 seconds. It was so priceless and Santa took the time to talk to him and Youngest wasn't quite sure what to do. He looked like he wanted to either shake his hand or tackle him. The Santa was a dead ringer, too. Kudos to Sam's Club.

Youngest is the last of my kids to believe. I struggled with this this year because there was a part of me that wanted him to know there was no Santa. But after seeing his reaction and the kazillion questions he asked after about if that was the "real" Santa, I want him to believe until he is 40. It absolutely made the Holiday season young and innocent for me again.

This is a tough time of year for some and with all that is going on, it is understandable to feel less than Jolly. My advice is to hang out with some little kids that still Believe in Santa. That is the best medicine in the world. And shhhh...don't tell Youngest about Santa...not just yet.......

Merry Christmas!
Cat
On a tangent: thank you to my friends that send cards to us this year. I spaced on the whole card thing and only sent out to family this year. I did not forget you and I really appreciate all the cards I got. I will do better next year, I promise!