Finally, a picture with Santa!!

I have tried every year for 3 years now to get Avery to sit on Santa's lap for that silly, overpriced keepsake photo. We get all dressed up, talk about it the whole way there, watch for 15 minutes while all the other kids sit on his lap to see that he doesn't bite, yell, or do anything mean. Last year, after the above-mentioned ritual, we even got so far as to get in line before she panicked. But once Santa waved at her, she lost it. (Can you imagine his nerve?)

So, this year, after riding the Polar Express in Grapevine and getting a surprise visit and an uninvited hug from Santa, Avery said that yes, she wanted to go see him at the mall, sit on his lap, tell him what she wanted for Christmas, and take a picture with Ella.

She talked about it all last night and was so excited this morning to put on her Christmasy outfit. All through the mall she couldn't wait to see him. She was pumped, and I was thrilled that finally I was going to get that priceless picture of my two precious girls sitting on Santa's lap.

Oh yeah, I meant that priceless picture of ONE of my precious girls sitting on his lap. Ella was cool with it. She really liked tugging on his beard. (I should have bought that picture instead.) No amount of bribing could get Avery anywhere near his chair, and she is way too big to forcibly put on his lap and get that oh-so-cute crying pic. (I would have feared for Santa's and Ella's safety!)

Maybe next year .... But that's what I say every time!