Santa, Here We Come!

Well, today it was off to visit Santa at the mall. Nanny had wanted all of the grandchildren to get their picture taken with Santa. I had been talking to Hannah about this for a week or two trying to prepare her, however, she really was not liking the idea. In fact, she flat out said she did not want to go and that she would just send Santa a letter. Tears were even coming to her eyes whenever i mentioned about going. She explained to me that she was shy and what if she forgot what to say? Bless her little heart! So when we were loading up, she told me that she would just wait in the car. Well, Nanny and I did our best to convince her to come into the mall and just peek at Santa. Once we got that far, we said to just stand next to Santa for a picture, that she didn't have to talk or sit on his lap. Nanny even added that we would go look at Webkinz stuff if she just stood next to Santa. Hannah was just not buging. Finally after a while of convincing, she agreed to stand in line with us. When it was our turn, Hayley walked up and sat next to Santa, and little John was placed on his lap with no problems at all. I then went to put Cody on the other side of his lap when he immediately refused and started crying (which did not surprise me). So i decided to hold Hannah next to Santa with Cody standing in front of us. After several attempted pictures with eyes closed and a nuk in Cody's mouth that he would not give up, and a long line being held up, we finally got a picture! What a painful process. I think we were all exhausted after that one! Hannah did loosen up by the end as Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She did manage to get out that she wanted a DS. After several more temper tantrums from Cody, we decided to pack it up and head home. I just can't believe how exhausting a picture can be!