St. Nikolas

Guess who got to be St. Nikolas this year!

The main reason was to get photos of him in this dress!!

I absolutely love that our kids don't bat an eye if Santa...

is dressed in a big red suit with fat belly surrounded by reindeer...

is clearly a girl and arrives on a horse...

comes in a purple gown and awful white gym shoes... 

 We figured Kaia would recognize him and didn't want to spoil her belief in Santa so we had some preparation to do... we decided to talk to her in advance.  She already knows that not every Santa we see is really Santa, he is way to busy for that!  Many are elves dressed as Santa and we are very lucky when we do get to see the real Santa.

So we explained that not only was Santa busy this year, but the elves were too!  So this year they asked Carl for a special favor.  We explained what an honor it was to be asked and how important it was that it was all kept secret.

As we packed ourselves in the car to head off to Melanie's Carl and I were scrambling around doing last minute chores.  When we came back to the car Theo told us how DADDY was going to be Santa this year!!!  Oh Kaia!!  How could you!! 

Luckily Theo's memory is as short as he is.  When St. Nikolas walked in the gate Theo commented how much he looked like Daddy, but that was his last comment on the matter.

 Lots of kids.  

 Theo was so brave and went to get his present and compliments all by himself.

 Kaia too... but even though she knew it was Carl... she was still shy!

 Theo got playdough cutters and his very first ISM tshirt for EC.  He is VERY excited about starting in EC after the break!!

Kaia got a few necklaces, some fancy lotion, and a new bath scruchie.  

Not bad for two parents that had zilch at 8am and both worked all day.  Kudos to our creativity and Carl's newfound wrapping abilities!

Afterwards... when Carl came back... Theo told him all about how Santa had come and dragged him over to show him where Santa had sat... etc.  I think our secret is safe for this year :)

Here is another blog with photos.  He has a great camera and I am even in some of them :)