Monday, November 26, 2007

Christmas picture

For those of you who read me over at Worst Mama, you've already seen this picture. Here's the Christmas Picture with The Mall Santa. I have no idea why it has the wacky border. Lauren was excited about seeing Santa and apprised him of what she wants - a single item. He smiled and told her to be a good girl, and she nodded obediently.

Many of the other kids, particularly ones who don't celebrate Christmas have informed the ones that do that there's no such thing as Santa. Having been told this at 6 by a little Jewish girl in my 1st grade class, I'd decided the best policy when confronted was to tell the truth. In April, she said, "I don't understand why you pretend that it's Santa on Christmas at GG's house when it's really Grandpa Paul," to which I replied, "Sometimes it's fun to pretend." I thought this was a damn good answer. I heard Lauren ask Alec over the weekend, carefully explaining how Aleksa, a classmate, had told her that there was no such thing as Santa. I thought Alec's answer was pretty good about the spirit of the season is one of giving, and that one person couldn't be everywhere, so in this spirit she actually had lots of Santas: her parents, her grandparents, her aunts and uncles. And yet, after this conversation, it was she who suggested that we go to the mall to visit Santa and give him her list. I have to admit this was something of a disconnect for me, but maybe it just goes back to my original answer that sometimes it's fun to pretend.

4 comments:

Chaotic Joy said...

I have decided to take this approach to Santa with Ben & Clara. People keep telling Ben that Santa will be bringing him gifts and I just kind of mutter noncommitally when he mentions it. But when we actually have a discussion about this I am going to go with the fun to pretend approach as well. I think this is an easier concept for young children to grasp than us. They pretend they are princesses or spiderman or teachers or cats every day. And we encourage that by buying them tiaras and cowboy hats and I think taking her to see Santa is the same type of thing.

You know - in case you wanted my long winded opinion.

The Plaid Sheep said...

Maybe she figures she could cover all the angles. Better safe than sorry.

Bud Weiser, WTIT said...

Your mom & I planned to tell you about Santa after that sex chat...

love you.
Lauren looks happy. Lindsay's going, "Who's the fat guy?"

Dad

karen said...

I'm not sure when Ross figured the whole Santa thing out. He never had a moment of discovery or anything, he was just one day sort of on our side, helping uphold the illusion for Lars. Shortly after that, he let us know that the jig was up with Lars, too, but they both - with no guidance from us - hold this knowledge carefully because they still have friends who believe in Santa. If only they could be so considerate all the time!