"I hate Santa"

Shortly before Thanksgiving we started trying to get the kids excited for Santa. Max is too young, but typically easy going so I thought he'd be okay. The first time we told Grace Santa would be coming soon she said "I hate Santa." She proceeded to say that last year we made her sit on Santa's lap and that she hated him and was scared and that Max didn't cry but he didn't like him either.

Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that she isn't even 3 yet, how does she remember that day a year ago so clearly? She wouldn't have even been 2 then, what child remembers a year ago? Well, every time we talked about Santa she said she hated him, she wouldn't go near him and was sure not going to sit on his lap.

When we were in Disneyland our hotel had a Santa, and Grace made sure to keep her distance. Max didn't like him either, and he was the cutest Santa. By the third day Santa came to her and gave her a candy cane, she still wouldn't talk to him but she didn't scream and run away.

Grace has been telling me that she wants a fish or a frog for Christmas, well her mommy doesn't want one so I told her she'd have to ask Santa for it. We went to the mall and I told her it was time to go ask Santa. She wouldn't get out of her stroller, I even told her I'd go with her but nope, she wouldn't budge. I thought my plan was working great until Santa foiled it. He left his chair and came out the exit and kneeled down to Grace -

"What would you like?"

Pause.... "A FISH!"

"Oh, a fish" (quick look at mom...) "What else would you like?"

"Just a fish."

"Would you like a baby doll?"

"No, Just a fish." (Quick look at mom again with a sly little smile.)

"Well, I'm sure if you are good then you will have a great Christmas!"

And Grace beamed. Way to go Santa for not commiting mom to a fish, but Grace hasn't stopped asking for a fish and/or frog since. She said that Santa's told her he'd bring her a fish. Oh, what does a mommy who doesn't want to clean out a fish bowl or frog bowl do?

Gradually she's come around to Santa until this morning during breakfast she said "I like oatmeal and Santa now." Okay, thanks Grace.