A Visit With Santa

Every year, my school's PTA sponsors a Breakfast with Santa. Heather and I have gone for the past three years. The reasons are many:
1) I participate in school extra curricular activities and get to see my kids outside the classroom.
2) Brownie points from the administration.
3) Cheap breakfast ($2.00 for pancakes).
4) Cheap picture with Santa ($1.00)
5) Much smaller lines than the mall
6) I know who Santa is and can vouch for his character (anyone who has seen 'Bad Santa' with Billy Bob Thornton will appreciate a good, healthy fear of an individual who enjoys dressing up as Santa for a month every year!)

The first time we went (Heather was 2), Heather did sit on Santa's lap, but was a little nervous. Last year (she was 3) I think we had Heather standing near Santa and me holding Kailey (who was probably crying, since that's what she did at that age). This year, Kailey waved to Santa, but didn't want to sit on his lap. I had to call to Heather to get her to even come in close enough to be in the picture frame.

As I called to Heather, Santa said, "Heather, how are you? I remember you from last year! You have gotten so much bigger. Do you want to come sit with me?" For just those few minutes, it really felt like the real Santa! You shouldn't have to tell Santa your name; it's on his Good/Bad List. If you have meet him before, he should remember you. And, Santa really fit the bill this year.

Santa is the parent of one of my former students. He is a large guy, who somewhat naturally fits the Santa outfit, and has a family who has participated in school functions even now that their youngest child has left the elementary school. It is a very sweet family who definitely fit with the very caring and wonderful staff that is Dale City Elementary School.

Although Heather may not have appreciated the small moment with Santa, I did. It's not every Santa who will remember you from year to year.