Yes, Maggie, There is a Santa Claus

A few weeks ago we went to our downtown's Christmas tree lighting. I'd read that Santa Claus would ride into Depot Park on a firetruck. I'd prepared Maggie for the night's events so she wouldn't be scared of Santa (again) or the fire truck sirens (if they turned them on, which luckily they didn't). We invited our neighbors who have a daughter Maggie's age. Maggie and her BFF had a blast dancing to the Christmas music and touching the lights on the big tree.

Maggie was very interested in Santa, who sat on a stage and talked to each child who came through the line. It didn't even cross my mind that Maggie might want to meet Santa since her last encounter with him didn't go so well. She played around the stage for over an hour and said she wanted to talk to Santa, so I stood in the line, and Brendon brought her up when it was her turn. I knelt beside Santa, and she sat on my knee (which you can't tell in this picture). Very seriously, she told him three things she wants: "blocks, puzzle, baby doll". When asked what kind of baby doll she wants, she said "bottle". Maggie didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but we were so proud of her for getting that close to him and talking to him! He gave her a candy cane, which she was thrilled about! This was her first candy cane, and she licked it all the way home!

Today I pretended to talk to Santa Claus on Maggie's toy cell phone. She took the cell phone from me and told Santa she wanted a baby doll, but then added that she also wants roller skates!! Later she saw a Santa on t.v. and she told him again that she wants skates. I don't think Maggie has ever seen anyone roller skate, but she has listened to me read the "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" book, where "Johnny wants a pair of skates, Suzy wants a dolly. . ." Santa won't be bringing skates this year- I told her maybe when she's 3 or 4!