Oh, you can't believe this day!

Hi everybody,

Okay, I know I'm impressive and I do have some help, but I think I out did myself. Santa is nothing if he's not humble. Santa does have a fill-in (Bobby) for when I go to lunch and I do have a team of elves.

Today we did 686 photos and last year we did 476; and yes we did some dogs. Just in case you are in disbelief, the computer does not lie and neither does my rear end. For the math, that is an increase of 210 over last year. That is one picture every 1.3 minutes - and that doesn't even come close to how many kids I had in my lap at any one time. One time I had eight in and around my lap and chair. So my guess is that I had 1200 kids/adults through my lap throughout the day give or take.

The dogs that visited us today were a Jack Russel Terrier, two Paris Hilton dogs, a Black Lab, and a big baby Black German Shepard. (The dog is full grown but if the owner goes more than a step away, it cries.) It was worse than some of the kids.

The kids were something else today. Maybe because I was not feeling well, but I decided we were going to have fun. If you are honestly having fun, I really think the kids pick up on it. Plus I did not tell the elves, so they just thought Santa lost it. I would do things just before the elves snapped the picture like shift my body, shift my legs, raise my hand, put my hand in front of a kid's face, and just mess with the elves. The kids loved it! and all I would hear from the elves was, "Santa!" and then I straighten up and all is right with the world. BUT I have to pick the kids carefully, and I am pretty good at picking!

Today I messed with two kids in a row. Then a little girl (about 6-7) and her younger sister were next. Well, the older girl grabbed my hand and held my hand firmly until the picture was over! I guess she was not going to be messed with! That in itself was funny...

Another time was a boy that just made himself at home in Santa's lap. (See photo above.) I called it "Lounging with Santa." His Dad was embarrassed until he realised I was messing back. Then he just leaned against the wall and laughed with us.

One pretty little girl in Santa's lap just wanted to give me a hug, and a hug, and another hug.

The last photo above is two short-haired Chihuahuas that visited Santa today.

It always amazes me when a child is kinder that most adults. I had two kids today separately say with all sincerity they did not want any gifts this year. They wanted their gifts to go to kids that might not get gifts. Now that is kindness at the highest levels. I gave the two girls an extra big hug...

I also had a little red haired girl (sounds like Charlie Brown) who wanted to give the big guy a kiss. I thought it was sweet so I said yes. Well, one kiss turned out to be many kisses because mom wanted to capture the moment in a picture. I finally called it quits and everybody was happy.

I have another early day on Sunday, so off to bed...

Sweet dreams,

Santa