‘Santa’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Santa Visit {2013}

December 11, 2013 · Narrative

I had a slight moment of panic when I couldn’t find the Santa picture from our visit last week.

All better now.

Last weekend, the weather wasn’t too terribly cold and pretty much begged us to be outside, taking full advantage of it. And so the kids and I (and Merry too) head off for a walk. I didn’t have any preconceived notions as to our destination, but we made our way towards the center of town. And then we ended up at Santa’s house. Our favorite Santa and the one we visit annually. The kids were excited, figuring I had planned it that way all along, but really it just kind of happened.

And that’s when I held my breath in the hopes that he was actually THERE, because this was definitely the earliest in the season that we’ve ever gone to see him.

And as we rounded the corner from the brightly Santa’s Workshop window, we peeked into the door and saw him. No line, no wait, and our favorite Santa. It was pretty much perfect.

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Book Review: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun {Embracing the Different}

October 11, 2012 · Narrative

Being able to embrace the different is something that hits close to my heart. And, for me, it’s a double-edged sword.

I want to raise kids that are supremely comfortable with who they are, and confident enough that they can embrace the different. Be ok with not following the pack. Leading their own little pack perhaps a different way. Playing football if you’re a girl. Coloring if you’re a boy. Blurring the lines between “what’s normal” and “what’s normal for me.”

To just raise kids that are confident in being themselves. Whatever self that may be.

But here’s where it gets tricky. I don’t want them to be *so* different that they become an outcast. Neither are in danger of that, but it’s something that floats in the back of my mind. You want them to be confident enough to handle any criticism that may ever come their way, and confident enough to be who they are. From now until the end of time.

And as a parent, that’s a pretty tall order.

Last year, Madeline became seriously, amusingly obsessed with wearing glasses. As an accessory. And Santa Claus delivered, with a pair of her very own in her Christmas stocking. Sometime after, through the disaster that is her bedroom (because it so rarely looks like this), they got lost.

Earlier this week, after having a day off from school and having to spend the day with me at work, I surprised her by taking her out to the store so she could pick out another pair of glasses.

You would have thought I adopted a unicorn.

I love that it takes so little to make her happy. That she is truly, honestly content with whatever she has.

She wore the glasses the rest of the day. Couldn’t wait to show Nick after he got home from school. And fell asleep, clasping the glasses in her little hands.

She had planned to wear them to school the next day. She wore them at Nick’s bus stop that morning. And in the car on the way to her school.

But when we got there, she took them off. I asked her why, and she said, “What if people make fun of me?”

“Oh Madeline,” I started, my heart breaking just a little. “You need to do what makes you happy. You love those glasses, and you look adorable in them. And without them. If you want to wear them, then wear them. And your real friends won’t make fun of you.”

Oh the things that go through that little four-year-old head. I hate that we’re starting such thoughts so early.

And even more with her, because she is one of the most confident people I know, amongst children and adults combined.

It took a few days, but she finally wore them to school. And all was fine.

As I hoped it would be.

Because nobody should be crushing that little girl’s spirit.

Or anyone else’s.

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‘Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas 2011

December 24, 2011 · Narrative

Have you ever seen a cuter reindeer? I haven’t. Madeline had her Christmas concert today, and I knew Santa was coming for a visit. As he reached into his big sack and pulled out a present with her name on it, I held my breath. We visited our favorite town Santa a few weeks ago, and she wanted no part of it. No picture on his lap, smiling, crying or otherwise.

Today, she went right up to him, let him put her on his lap and told him what she wanted. I have no idea where the change of heart came from. It must be the dress. (The dress is circa J. Crew’s Crew Cuts 2010. She wore it for Easter, and I adore it, so was super excited that I got to eek one last wearing out of it before it goes to the consignment shop)

And this next bit … this is exactly why, although I love the trappings of the city life, I will forever want to live in a small town. Where although people like to gossip, sometimes people knowing things is a good thing. I swear I teared up. Someone there knew that I didn’t have a picture of the two kids with Santa yet this year.

And knew that I wanted one.

If you know me, whether in real life or through visiting here, you know I kind of like to document things. Photographically. And Santa? The holidays? My kids? Huge. So Nick had a half day today. It was a nothing day. They have done no work at all all week. They had their holiday party yesterday. He knew Madeline’s concert was today and asked if he could go. I said yes.

When someone at Madeline’s school saw Madeline on Santa’s lap, willingly, happily, and noticed that Nick was with me, there was a quick scrambling and beckoning to get Nick up there too.

Because they knew I didn’t have the picture I wanted.

And they wanted to help me get that.

My heart melts for moments like these.

And so I got it.

It’s a simple thing really. Something small. But when the kids are grown-up with families of their own, I want them to look back at the pictures with their own children, and be able to say, “This. This is my life. This is when I was your age. My childhood.”

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Santa Visit 2010

December 13, 2010 · Narrative

Even though we tell our kids that “Santa is watching” and that “Santa knows everything,” having it actually come to life is a whole ‘nother story. After school on Friday, I promised the kids I would take them to visit Santa. The real Santa. With the exception of one year (2008, and that still breaks my heart), we have visited this particular Santa every year since we discovered him. I had to go back and check, but that makes this year the fifth year. Nick knows this Santa is the real deal. The other ones we encounter … at the mall, the pet store and every other random place … are just his helpers. This one is not.

So you can imagine Nick’s shock when, on Friday, as we walked into Santa’s little house, and he was greeted by name. “Hellooooo Nick, how are you doing today?” came his deep booming voice. Nick had barely entered the doorway and stood, still, speechless. He looked at me. I shrugged. Santa knew his name. I had absolutely nothing to do with it. All through the kids’ visit that afternoon, I studied Santa’s face. The same man that has been there every other year. I don’t recognize him. He’s quite a bit older, and most people we know in town are around my age. I don’t know where he knows Nick from, but I assure you, it got Nick thinking. Heck, I’m just glad Santa didn’t know MY name! I didn’t get a candy cane. It seems I need to work on my behavior.

Last year, on no less than three separate attempts, Madeline was in tears every time she came within close proximity to Santa. This year, we made progress. She wouldn’t get near him unless I served as a buffer, but there were no tears. I consider that a small victory, folks. She only asked Santa for one thing. A unicorn pillow pet “because I collect them.” It was utterly adorable, and she is going to be thrilled once she sees that a certain someone has taken care of her small request.

On Sunday afternoon, we were back visiting Santa. Apparently, one of Nick’s friends had gotten the word that he visited Santa, the real Santa, and that he was greeted by name, so there was a plea to go back so she could put in her own request. It was an important stop, because for Nick’s friend, she’s wavering in her disbelief of the big guy. And if you know me and my kids, we’re believers. Big time. Rainbows. Magic. Santa Claus.

We believe. No matter the age or the day on the calendar, I think we should all believe in a little magic.

Santa Visit 2009

Santa Visit 2007

Santa Visit 2006

Santa Visit 2005 – oh my gosh, that baby face!

Project 365
December 13, 2010, Photos #268 and 269
A recent After Dinner Dance Party was brought to us by Lady Gaga’s littlest fan.

Christmas coziness is the perfect thing for the chilly winds whipping around outside.

P.S. New contest going on at The Voice of Mom … go on and enter for your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!