What? It rhymes.

Eric and I haven’t made up our minds about which Santa/St. Nick/whoever story we want Hannah to know as she gets older. We obviously didn’t have decide this year, so we went full on Santa, and I have to say it has been a blast.

The last few months have been gloomy-ish, and we had yet another death in the family this week when Eric’s grandmother passed away, and my dad is getting double knee replacements on Monday and won’t be home from the hospital in time for Christmas, so this holiday cheer is precisely what we’ve needed. We’re spoiling ourselves just a little, and it’s delightful.

You’d normally never catch us at Bass Pro Shops, but when I heard they were having a free Santa, we jumped at the chance. The mall Santa gave me a touch of sticker shock, and our backup Santa tore his cornea (how does that even happen?) so couldn’t don the costume today.

The line was delightfully short. Hannah loves pointing and being told what things are. I think she looks quite imperial here.

(Their picture) We kind of (okay, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY) wanted the classic screaming baby with Santa picture, but she kept her calm. It happens.

How do you like the taxidermied reindeer? A smidge too authentic, yes? I reckon that’s the price we pay for getting a free picture at a hunting store.

She’s glaring at us for having the audacity to sit her with him. She did grab his beard, so that’s something.

My face leaves a lot to be desired, but this was her first carousel ride. She doesn’t look like she’s enjoying it, but when the thing first started spinning, she shook with ecstasy. No joke. It was almost as good as frozen peas.

Some old ladies complimented her shoes, so I thought it would be irresponsible to neglect them.

We came home, thinking she would nap, but she thought otherwise, so we played outside for a while. Our intrepid explorer–just look at that grimace of focus.

We wrapped the daylight with some swinging. She loves it when I chase her with the camera, as you can see.

What Santa/holiday/Christmas story did you grow up with? Did it scar you for life? Or do you think you’ll be using the same story forever?