Would the real Santa please stand up?

We mailed the kids' letters to Santa a few weeks ago. So, since I can't SCRAPBOOK THAT, I took them to the mall to see the man himself.

One of my favorite things to do with the kids is to lock them and strap them in the car and just listen to them talk. When they are fussy, it's not so much fun. Or when Lucy discovers a new annoying sound she can make - doing it over and over. Again, not fun. However, when they get deep into philosophical banter, it's perfection.

On the way to the mall to see Santa:
Max: "It's not the REAL Santa. HE'S back at the shop making toys with elves at the North Pole."

Lucy: "No. Santa doesn't MAKE the toys, the elves do."

Max: "Yeah! But Santa has to boss them around. He's bossy."

Lucy: "No. Santa is NOT bossy. He writes the elves notes."

They pondered on that and soon we arrived at the mall. When we go to Santa's magic land of wonder and joy, we were the only ones there. You're welcome kids, mommy timed it perfectly with your early outs from school. So,they got to visit Santa, woops, I mean "Santa" per the kids earlier conversation.

I made a deal with the Santa RobberyTechnician - Ted - that I'd just video with my camera and he could rob me blind with a 5 X 7 and two keychains for $17.99. Deal. But then my camera battery was too low and wouldn't work. I'm kind of glad it didn't work, because then I just went and paid the Santa Robbery Cashier - Bill - while the kids had a chance to talk with Santa. Had the camera WORKED, I'm fairly certain I'd have coached the entire conversation. So, it forced me to just let them have their moment! And they did.

Eventually another family came up and the kids were each handed a coloring book and politely said their goodbyes. After the coast was clear, Max said very slowly and thoughtfully, "Well MAYYYYBE that WAS the real Santa."

I just wanted a picture for the scrapbooks, but that was a lot of fun. I'm trying not to push it on them too much, to MAKE them believe. But the magic in that kids eyes, just made my heart dance.

That's how I roll.