Santa

Dave is going to be gone all weekend man camping.  In order to let him prep and pack, I took the kids to visit Santa.  More than seeing Santa, the kids were most excited about the fact that I said I would take them to the Lake City Dick's Drive-in.  You would have thought I told them I was getting them a puppy.

My plan was to visit the U Village Santa.  I packed our clothes in the morning before school.  I hadn't even had kids try on their Christmas outfits.  I was just hoping for the best.  They changed in the oh-so-fancy U Village bathrooms.  Eileen and Robin both appreciated the large full length mirror.  Robin stuck out his hip and exclaimed, "Look at my butt cheek!"  Classy.

U Village Santa lines can be crazy on the weekends.  My plan was that by going earlier in the month, on a weeknight, that there would be no line.  Despite a cramped parking lot, we got a sweet parking spot.  My plan worked perfectly.

It just so happens that like Buddy the Elf, I know Santa.  It's true.  I double-checked the Santa calendar to make sure Santa would be there.  As is true of all things good and wonderful, Santa has worked at CYO camp.  I last saw Santa hanging out at Camp Gallagher (former CYO camp and now just regular awesome camp).

I admit that Robin totally looks like a creepy marionette here.

Santa Larry is truly the best.  Besides lacking a sketchy or awkward vibe, he really talks to the kids.  He gave the kids advice on websites they could go to for DIY projects related to their interests.  I was surprised by how conversational Robin got with Santa.

Linus asked Santa for a baby sister (not gonna happen).  Robin wants a blue tuffet.  Eileen wants a Barbie Doll and Barbie Dollhouse (nope nope nope).  Eileen discovered a passion for Barbie during our Nebraska visit.

I think the kids look so great.  Robin was very clear about what he wanted his outfit to be.  He wanted a Christmas sweater, but couldn't describe it to me.  Then he saw the red and black checked and started screaming excitedly, "That's it! That's it!"  He also knew he wanted a bow tie to match. Robin picked out the shoes as well.  Eileen loves that her dress has a built in fluffy petticoat that shows when she spins.  I was just glad that Linus was like, "Okay, yah, fine," when I found the shirt/tie/pants for him.

I can now cross visiting Santa off the list.  I think it will go down as the most successful trip ever.