Dear Santa,

"I want a Black Spider Man costume, a Sharkbite Bay car track, a Wolverine Shing, Wolverine shoes, Wolverine socks ..." and his list goes on. This is the first year that Tyler has really been "into" Santa. He is continually adding to his "list" for what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas this year. When I casually mentioned to him that I had never seen Wolverine shoes in the store, he blithely reasured me, "It's OK, Mom, I'll just ask Santa and he'll know where to get them!" Oh...well...now that you put it like that...(does anyone know where in the heck Santa might shop for Wolverine shoes or socks???)

This weekend Tyler, Mom and I had the opportunity to go to Petunia's Place (an awesome bookstore at Bullard/West) to listen to Santa read stories to the kids while the parent shopped--clever sales ploy which I totally fell for! Now, in years past, Tyler has wanted nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, to do with Santa. He didn't want to talk to him, he didn't want his candy, and he for sure did not want to sit on his lap. So, I knew going in that this was going to be a "distance learning" experience. As we were walking in to the bookstore, Tyler asked me, "Mom, will this be the Santa in a costume, or will this be the Santa who really brings presents to our house?" Hmm...Now, what an insightful question. Anyways, Santa read Jan Brett's Night Before Christmas and then asked if any of the kids wanted to sit on his lap. No go...Then he read Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express and asked again. Tyler completely surprised me and said YES! So, at age 4, Tyler has his first Pictures with Santa.He started off standing...then made his way up onto Santa's lap...wheeew...we did it!