You'd Better Watch Out...

We visited Santa yesterday and it was a great success!

Huge suspense had been building all week as Síofra prepared to see The Man in Green (this was an "Eco-Santa"-the earth friendly, anti-consumer, un-Coca Cola version. We're so predictable...). She is getting a bike for Christmas, so we wanted to be sure that she asked him for that, and not some other thing that isn't on the agenda. She also had to do the talkin' for Paddy, so she had been instructed to put in his order for a doll. She was excited, we were excited, Eric and Kusi met us at the Fair Trade market where Santa was holding court, and poor Paddy was just rubbing his conjunctivitis infected eyes and coughing.

There were 4 or 5 kids ahead of us in line, and Síofra was getting more and more excited and less and less patient for her turn to come. She kept peeking into Santa's grotto and saying, "Hello, Santa" in a very high pitched voice. Then she was down on her knees looking in at him while the other child was on his lap. Then she was lying on her belly inching into the place.

Finally her turn came, she barrelled in there, jumped on his lap and gave him a big hug. Then she shouted, "I'd like a bike," followed by, "He wants a doll." Ok, our coaching worked...

Green Santa attempted to talk about being a good girl, helping out at home with her brother, recycling...but she responded with, "I'd like a bike. He wants a doll." Maybe too much coaching?

Anyhow, it was a great day, and she was thrilled. It was exciting to see her so excited, and the Fair Trade Market was a great atmosphere...we were even able to come home without buying anything, which is pretty remarkable at this time of year. Sarah D, you'd be proud.