Jolly Old Saint Nick

Our local outdoor mall is not only a hot spot for all our shopping and dining needs, but they also host the very best Santa this side of the Rockies.  He's jolly, he's old and his name is Nick.  What else could you ask for?  He allows parents to take a plethora of their own photos and his elves are welcoming, appropriately dressed and don't ask you to pay $15 for their crummy Polaroid shots.  The elves also make sure each child is referred to by name and age when they approach the man in red's cushy lap. Not to mention the carolers that serenade you while you wait in line.  Sounds dreamy huh?  Our kids believe in Santa and for now, we're okay with that.  It was darling to see their hyper selves calm as they got closer to Mr. Claus.  They sensed the gravity of this man's presence.  Squirt had a perma-smile as she boarded his lap and couldn't stop grinning throughout the ordeal.  Dude was silly and sweet and whispered his Christmas wish in Santa's ear as he departed.  (A remote control volcano of course).  Squirt firmly and quietly asked for a candy cane.  Mom and Dad even joined in the fun, which tickled the kids pink.

There are two poses we can coerce out of our son.  The pose above is the "nice" option.  For whatever reason, the ear must be touching the shoulder to constitute "nice."  Below is just one of the many "Dude" poses that come oh so naturally.