December 11

We took the boys to the mall today as it has been raining for two days straight and we needed something to do. Liam was totally psyched for the trip for the usual reasons, namely the pet store and a ride on the mechanical cars on the way out. He was also more than a little worked up over seeing Santa. He saw him from a distance last time he was there and hasn't stopped talking about him since. He has pretty much been practicing his answer to, "What do you want for Christmas, little boy?" for weeks. We've discussed the details, be a good boy, ask Santa for presents and he delivers on Christmas Eve. He's heard the songs, read the stories, and seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas". I figure he gets it, especially when he's so excited to see Santa so he can tell him what he'd like.

He waits in line, thankfully short, dancing from one foot to the other. The entire time the two families ahead of us spend their time with Santa Liam is either shouting and waving, "Hi Santa!!!" or trying as desperately a two and a half year old can to contain himself.

And finally, the last kid peels himself off of Santa's lap and Mark lets Liam free. He runs right up, checking only once over his shoulder to make sure Daddy is close behind.

Liam: "HI SANTA!!!!!!"
Santa: "Ho, ho, ho, Have you been a good boy?"
Liam: "Yep" Now starting to get shy looking anywere, but at Santa. He notices all the Christmas decorations surrounding Santa's seat. The toy train, the tree, the HUGE glittery presents. After making some inconsequential (to Liam) small talk, Santa gets down to business.
Santa: "What do you want for Christmas?"
Liam, with Momma's notes in parentheses: "I want a football (he has two already) and a truck (ditto, and too many to count). A digger truck (Ok, maybe not one of these specifically). And a dump truck, too (has a big one and a matchbox size). I want a mask (What? Um, what for exactly?). And a movie, uh, five movies. Bob movies and Curious (George) movies."
Santa tries some more be a good boy type small talk while Liam fingers the edge of one of those shiny presents, but is cut short.
Liam: "Can I have that present now?"
Daddy: "Okay, time to go."
Momma: "Say 'Merry Christmas' to Santa, bud"
Liam, begrudgingly, "Merry Christmas, Santa"
On his way out of the Santa corral, not out of earshot mind you, Liam lets loose.
Liam: "He didn't give me a present, Momma!!"

Apparently Liam missed the second step of the whole two step process of 1. Tell Santa what you want. and 2.Get it delivered on Christmas Eve.