Borrowed from my friend, Kim Smith's blog
santa's lap
Moyer and Keturah dressed up in their Christmas best on Saturday for a picture on Santa's lap.
Every year the international school hosts a Christmas bazaar, and as long as Mr. Prescott has been around, he's posed as Santa for this festivity. We ordinarily know Mr. Prescott as a faithful teacher and honest neighbor, so there's no stranger anxiety at play here for either of our kids. And although Keturah's not looking thrilled, we're chalking that up to the cold she was coming down with, not our friend in the red suit.
At least this year we didn't make the same mistake we did last year!
Last year, we dressed up both the kids, then on our way to the bazaar realized that Moyer had no context for being expected to sit on Santa's lap. He was two and a half, and hadn't been exposed to any Santa media. Wanting to use this wonderful "we-dont'-live-in-the-West" opportunity to introduce Santa to Moyer personally (instead of through commercials, cartoons, and Santa decor), we realized that a five minute cab ride really wasn't sufficient for the whole Saint Nikolaus story. Still wanting to pose with Santa for a picture, though, we told him this:
"When we get to the bazaar, Moyer, there will be a very tall Christmas tree, and Christmas carols, and treats to eat, and do you know what else? Mr Prescott! He's going to be wearing a special red Christmas suit, and you get to sit on his lap and get your picture taken with him!"
And it worked just fine.
But this time, we remembered the night ahead of time, and Patrick told Moyer all about St. Nick. Can you believe that at three and a half, our little boy when asked, "Do you know who Santa Claus is?" had no idea?
We're grateful for the chance to introduce the history, charity, and generosity behind this jolly character to our kids.
We're grateful as well for the jolly character (and lap!) of Mr. Prescott. A fine-Father-Christmas-figure, indeed.
Santa's Lap Outtakes:
Every year the international school hosts a Christmas bazaar, and as long as Mr. Prescott has been around, he's posed as Santa for this festivity. We ordinarily know Mr. Prescott as a faithful teacher and honest neighbor, so there's no stranger anxiety at play here for either of our kids. And although Keturah's not looking thrilled, we're chalking that up to the cold she was coming down with, not our friend in the red suit.
At least this year we didn't make the same mistake we did last year!
Last year, we dressed up both the kids, then on our way to the bazaar realized that Moyer had no context for being expected to sit on Santa's lap. He was two and a half, and hadn't been exposed to any Santa media. Wanting to use this wonderful "we-dont'-live-in-the-West" opportunity to introduce Santa to Moyer personally (instead of through commercials, cartoons, and Santa decor), we realized that a five minute cab ride really wasn't sufficient for the whole Saint Nikolaus story. Still wanting to pose with Santa for a picture, though, we told him this:
"When we get to the bazaar, Moyer, there will be a very tall Christmas tree, and Christmas carols, and treats to eat, and do you know what else? Mr Prescott! He's going to be wearing a special red Christmas suit, and you get to sit on his lap and get your picture taken with him!"
And it worked just fine.
But this time, we remembered the night ahead of time, and Patrick told Moyer all about St. Nick. Can you believe that at three and a half, our little boy when asked, "Do you know who Santa Claus is?" had no idea?
We're grateful for the chance to introduce the history, charity, and generosity behind this jolly character to our kids.
We're grateful as well for the jolly character (and lap!) of Mr. Prescott. A fine-Father-Christmas-figure, indeed.
Santa's Lap Outtakes:
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| ~This is the most engaged Keturah looked, but Moyer missed the photo op!~ |
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| ~Moyer's version of "smile!" while Keturah's concerned with her stuffy nose!~ |
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| ~Santa lovingly telling Keturah to take her fingers out of her nose for the picture. Our poor girl was really stuffed up!~ |
2 comments:
Awww, now I feel like Moyer & Keturah as just part of that big ole' network of grandkids you have--it's fun to see them posted right alongside all of those precious moments that your precious ones over the ocean are experiencing . . .
Give Mr. Prescott our love.
Kim
You better believe it !! THEY are very special to us , too!!!! ;-)
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