Santa Baby

Today, Zeke and his pals Parker and Ewan went to meet the Santa at Phipps. I really appreciate Parker's mom for helping to plan this. (Thanks, Traci!) We had to make online reservations to see this Santa -- no waiting in long lines for this popular Santa. Apparently, as you get closer to Christmas, parents have been known to sell their appointment times to see Santa. For a closer look at this Santa, you can see a photo essay in the local paper (You may have to register to see it.)

I made Zeke wear a special holiday outfit complete with collared button-down shirt, reindeer sweater, and brown cords. (I love the perfect hand-me-down sweater from Zach and the new brown cords! Zeke is going to have to wear this often.) As Ewan's mom and I shared beforehand, it was little nervewracking to wait for the pictures not knowing how the babies would react to this "first." According the the woman who sets up the photos and tells Santa the kiddie's name, about 45% of all of the children who come to see Santa are terrified or nervous about seeing Santa. What a rough job for Santa.

Of course, Zeke didn't really get it and didn't even really smile at the kind Santa, but it was still pretty cute! I'm looking forward to getting the official photo at the end of the week and will share that later. (Grandparents will be getting wallet-sized photos.)

I'm really looking forward to sharing the holiday season with Zeke and have already started taking out decorations and planning what toys he will get. This is a big deal, as we don't really celebrate Christmas -- you know, secular humanists blahblahblah. If the photo is any indication, Zeke might be the same way about Christmas that we are. Though we don't know many others doing this, we aren't going to "do Santa". That is, we're not going to tell Zeke as he grows up that there is any all-knowing, all-seeing being who gives gifts (other than his mama). However, I hope we can still enjoy Santa and let him know that Santa is make believe but represents how much people love each other. That, at least, is my take on it. Needless to say, I'm glad that Aaron didn't oppose my taking Zeke to seeing the Santa. I think Zeke will still be okay for it. (For those that have been asking like my mom, many children in America don't have Santa and turn out okay. I know a few Jewish people who will agree!)

So, no matter our plans/feelings about Santa, I just couldn't pass up a photo op for Zeke and to capture this first. And, funny enough, there is part of me that wants to go to other Santas and get more pictures just for the fun and the chance to wear the cords and sweater more!