...Our Russian Angel: November 2017

The last 18 months have been a blur and for the first time - I'm sitting down free of work projects and trips and soaking in the joy of the season. Today, our daughter begged us to go and see Santa at the mall. We have spent many hours in line at that mall waiting to see the jolly guy in years past and something inside of me told me to "give in." I'm so very glad we did.

It was 5:30pm and we knew Santa would be wrapping it up at 6pm. Even though Jon thought we were nuts, he reluctantly agreed to go with us (he really is a big softy and could not live with himself if I took our daughter to see Santa without him....). Our little girl in the back seat was all dressed up and so excited. I could feel her anticipation!

We arrived at the mall and got a great parking spot. First positive sign! We walked through JC Penneys and left Jon in the dust....Kristina held my hand and guided me quickly through the aisles knowing who was located right outside in the center mall. "He's there -- and no one is in line! Look, mom!!" The jolly old man was there --- and waving to Kristina. We weaved our way through the stanchions and ropes. After the obligatory warm up photos, Kristina ran up the ramp to the stage where Santa waited.

There.he.was -- Santa Ted. Back in 2010, Santa Ted was the first Santa that Kristina ever felt comfortable approaching. We saw him again in 2011, 2012 and 2013 before hitting a dry spell missing his shift. I was so excited that I brought up the 2011 photo of Kristina with Santa Ted on my phone so she could show him. Seeing Kristina sit there on his lap made me so nostalgic -- our little girl is not so little anymore.

What was on her Christmas Wish List? A laptop, an iPhone X (but an iPhone 8 will do...), corresponding phone case, fake nails, nail polish, and hair dye. Thank you, Santa, for downplaying the phone.

Even though I wasn't supposed to, I took some undercover photos of Kristina's magical encounter with my iPhone. SSShhhh! What makes it so magical is Kristina's continued belief in Santa. I expect this belief won't last much longer as kids at school, well...they talk. I wanted some candid pics because I'm sure each visit after this will be viewed from a different perspective on Kristina's part. For the last 8 1/2 years, I have tried to capture as many "firsts", "lasts", and everything in between. Old habits die hard!

Overall, it was such a great visit - that lasted over 10 minutes because there was no one else in line! Nothing sadder than seeing a Santa sit there with no one around. And for me, the eternal procrastinator, I will listen to my daughter in the future if she wants to see Santa on Thanksgiving weekend. I feel like I just gained a few hours of holiday shopping, wrapping, writing a "Year In Review" blog update, etc. by not having to stand in line at the mall and complain about how hot it is - or how much my back aches. We're off to a great start for the Christmas season. Thank you, Santa Ted!

Kristina and Santa Ted Through the Years!

This was Kristina's 2nd Christmas home and our social girl was no longer afraid of Santa. She sure gave him an ear-full!!

Oh, how I miss these days sometimes!! Age 3

This is the year she asked for a Pony...age 4.

Yup - Kristina had no fear of Santa Ted!

Kristina told Santa her favorite movie was "Polar Express." After we left, he found us to give Kristina a bell he had in his pocket. You have to see the movie to understand the significance and how special this made Kristina feel.