Close Encounters With Santa

At the Accident Fund Children's Christmas Party at Brian's work, the boys had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus.  Jack had been talking about it all day, prepared by writing a letter (dictated to Mommy), and even decided to wear dress-up clothes so that he could make a good impression.  This was a very big deal for him.  Ben was oblivious.

When we arrived, it was all we could do to get our coats hung up before Jack dragged the rest of us upstairs to the second floor tree where Santa was holding court.  I was relieved and delighted to see that Santa was very much the real thing, right down to an amazing "ho-ho-ho".  Jack was literally quivering with excitement as we waited in line to meet him.

Finally, the moment arrived and we were ushered up to meet Santa.  Unlike last year, when Jack suddenly developed a terrible case of shyness at the last moment, this year he sprinted right into Santa's lap and stared adoringly at his face.  Ben sat on my lap next to him, and stared at his beard, occasionally flashing a big smile just to make sure his charm worked on Santa, too.

Jack and Santa talked about how old Jack was, whether he had been a good, what Jack wanted for Christmas (a [re]"cycling truck" and a truck with a car on the back), and what Jack's letter involved.  Then, some friendly elves handed Jack and Ben each a present (provided at an earlier date by a Santa Daddy) and we headed downstairs for some pizza, veggies, and dessert.

Jack waiting, letter in hand, for Santa.

Ben wasn't afraid of Santa at all; in fact, he turned on the charm.

Jack, telling Santa that he was three; Ben, checking out the girl elves.

The boys appeared to have a wonderful time: Jack gobbled up his pizza and asked me to have the clown make him a monkey out of balloons, and Ben swiped his first taste of brownie right off my plate.

Hmm, this brownie looks good...

This fork works for Mommy; why won't it work for me?
Oh well, I'll use my hands. 

Giant BITE!

Num, num, num... Good brownie.