Every year, we visit Santa at the downtown Nordstrom. I love the ritual - the same place year after year, the same backdrop against such changed children. And downtown this time of year, for all its madness, is beautiful. The life size star of Bethlehem atop Macy's, the larger than life Christmas tree in Westlake plaza, the carousel, the twinkly white lights literally everywhere. Then there are the conversations with Santa. I'm always surprised, at least a little, by what transpires. Most memorably, one year Abbott asked for cereal and a new box of crackers. I worried we would be directed to the food bank at the end of the visit.Today, they thanked Santa for the kittens they got last year, and then Cal asked for 'a painting of you' and a nerf gun. We don't buy toy guns; however, the boys have been having lots of fun at a neighbor's with them. Perhaps Santa is a loophole to my refusal to buy any? Abbott then proceeded to ask for a nerf gun also, in addition to a Harry Potter Lego Hogwarts castle, and a pair of Harry Potter slippers, with one slipper looking like Harry and one looking like Ron. That crazy Santa, he told Abbott 'I'm sure the elves can do that, no problem'. Those elves, they'd better get busy.
21 comments:
I love that photo.
Adorable! And, I know what you mean re: the food requests. My boys are asking Santa for salami and cookies this year. Love the simplicity, but geez, I promise I do feed them--WELL! Your blog is always such a lovely place to visit. xoxo
Your boys are very smart! That's a wonderful picture and I love the pre-Christmas routine you describe.
I love the innocence of your children. And the traditions of going into town sound very much like my childhood memories. I still thank my Mother for giving me great memories and traditions.
Oh, my heart just aches. So beautiful.
What a wonderfull Christmas pic:)I so love it, really...Have a wonderfull day;)
what is a nerf gun?
Wonderful photo!
Lecia, once again, you capture that quiet little moment that most of us are oblivious to. As for the toy guns, all I can say is, when my son was young I resisted for as long as I could while he used his finger, sticks and any other implement to simulate a gun. I gave in with the Star Wars era and am happy to report he grew up to be a loving, caring man, teacher, contributing member of society and now father of two. Good luck with your decision.
What a fantastic photo!
We were very sad a couple of years ago when we discovered that our santa had retired because of his health. He was simply the best, and since then there's been no consistancy...just as my eldest is starting to notice such things.
I wouldn't worry too much about the nerf guns. My brother (and I by extension) had both nerf guns and those wooden guns with rubber bands, and we grew up to be level-headed, non-violent adults. Come to think of it, Erin even had a cap gun and we both spent time shooting bb guns with my grandpa. The guns don't make the child, the parents do.
PS. Just so you know it's not a boy thing...my girls make guns and blasters out of tinkertoys and/or legos. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
Beautiful photo, Lecia. Happy Holidays!
When we lived in Seattle I took my son who is now 11 to that Nordstom to see Santa. He was the best around. The memories are flooding back. Good luck!
i was amazed when my son first started using his fingers and hand as a gun, we resisted but then decided to get a Nerf gun...he normally just plays nicely with it but the minute it seems to take a turn I take it away for a few weeks.
Oh that Santa and those boys! LOL.
I love everything about this post. I think nerf guns don't fall into the general prohibition, or else Santa bringing them is totally a loophole.
That picture is wonderful! What a moment.
Get to work on those slippers, Elf!
Your pictures touch my heart, Lecia
That, Lecia, is an awesome photo. Crazy Santa indeed.
Nicola
Lovely photo, Lecia.
My two boys (now in their 50's) played with toy guns of all sorts all their young lives...and they turned out to be responsible, normal adults. Nerf guns are pretty tame by comparison.
I think that the issue of toy guns is one that all parents of young boys face. I don't understand why little boys have this instinctive compulsion to create guns out of sticks and lego and anything else. In my own experience if you let them go through that phase without making a fuss they move onto the next phase and forget all about the guns.
Incredible photo.
My son is too young to ask Santa what he wants for Christmas. So on his behalf I told him that he'd like an iPad and a new golf club.
I can't believe that Santa made that call. There should be an international signal between parents and Santa that means "NO WAY BUDDY".
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