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Santa Saga Part Two
assembled @ 4:03 p.m. on 2001-12-17

Ok, now the story of Breakfast with Santa, while baby Pearl is napping. She's had a long afternoon.

We woke up earlier than Pearl is used to, since the breakfast was at 9 am, and a half hour drive away. I dressed her in a very cute crimson velvet dress, with a little hood and with dalmatians of the Disney breed embroidered around the hem. She wore little grey tights with paw prints on them to match. Very adorable.

We arrived a bit early, which was a good thing since there were few tables and lots of children. Santa arrived in a big yellow fire truck, and as we stood outside watching them pull up, we were once again greeted by B1 and B2. B1 remarked on how cute little Pearl looked, and indeed, I got some very nice pictures. When Santa stepped off the truck I swear I must have regressed to at least 5 years old, since I got all teary and choked up, seeing the big guy. I felt, for a moment, just like I did seeing Santa when I was a child. Like a hero was here, a larger-than-life stupendous magical moment was happening. It was actually pretty cool.

We went back inside and returned to our table, and after a few minutes, Santa came over to see Pearl. We got a picture of all of us together, and Santa holding Pearl, too. As he handed her back to us, little Pearl, true to form, grabbed Santa's hair and beard, quick as lightning, and it took us a few mintues to untangle her. She's got quite a grip! Santa didn't dare move; it was hilarious. Can you imagine some little kids watching as my baby pulls Santa's face off? They would be scarred for life. At the very least, I doubt you would get them on Santa's lap that day.

There were some crafts and activities for the children, as well as a McDonald's breakfast. We didn't participate in any of that, since Pearl is really too little to appreciate sugar cookies and balloon animals. Daniel was there with his mom and dad, dressed as a little elf. We were lucky and got at the front of the Picture with Santa line, and were in and out very quickly. Poor Pearl was missing her morning nap by that time, and didn't even smile at the camera. She just stared off into space and waited to be handed back to Daddy. She did perk up when they gave her a balloon, though (or as the Marines call them, Baker Alpha Eleven Hundred Novembers). We tied it to her wrist for a moment, but since she quickly figured out how to hold on to the ribbon and pull the balloon down to her mouth, that didn't last long. Our Pearl is a very bright gal. There was a raffle for the huge stocking that was in front of the Christmas tree, but we didn't stay for it. Hero and I needed breakfast, and Pearl needed a nap. So it was off to IHOP for Pigs in Blankets and then home for nappies. I can't express in words here just how fun it was for us to share this breakfast with Pearl, but I think the pictures do a good job, especially the two at the bottom of the page I have linked to several times.

I now have all the family presents wrapped, and have mailed the ones that needed to be mailed, and I've sent all but two of the Christmas cards I intend to send. So that leaves the rest of this week for organizing and pre-packing for our Trip to Michigan! I can now count the days until we leave on one hand. We do need to see the lawyer this week, to start the bankruptcy filing. But it will be nice to get that done before the trip, so that we can just relax while we're home for the holidays. Happy, happy, happy!

--N

then || now