And they said it would be slow.

Hey there!


I want you to know that I am still waiting for it to slow down... Maybe they are referring to December 26th?


Today we had 210 photo-hungry people that all had a dire need to meet Santa. We did have a few dogs as well - a Border Collie pup, a Border Collie adult, a mutt, a black Lab, a white Poodle, and a Cocker Spaniel. ALSO, elf Tasha was back today and she's feeling a little bit better.


As you can imagine, I did not have much time to breathe with 210 photos in 4 hrs. Just for those number crunchers, that is 52.5 kids per hour. That figures out to be 1.14 minutes per photo. Now let's not forget that does not take into account for ink and paper reloading, photo set up, and the long walk it takes to get to the "The Claus" (20-25 feet).


Also each kid or kid-at-heart has their time with Santa. NOBODY walks away (unless they want to) without "their" time with Santa. Most upper ages just walk away after the photo is taken, unless they are over 50 or so who giggle and thank us for the photo.


So as I think over the shift in the "Big Chair," I am struck by the number of handicapped kids that came today. One that will stay in my mind was a child with brittle bone disease. He drove up to me in a wheelchair that looks like something from Star Trek. And he drove it like an old pro. His mom lifted him into my lap, and as I reached to hold him I could feel his ribs and old healed breaks. I was nervous that even my gentle touch would break him, but all went well. He then maneuvered the "chair" through the crowd like nothing I have ever seen. Another happy customer!


Well, Santa has a long day tomorrow and short night for sleep, so off to bed I go! I have a 12-hour day starting bright and early tomorrow morning.


Good night,



Santa