Third Time's the Charm

It's that time of year again. We were welcomed to the mall yesterday by Burl Ives's baritone singing "Holly Jolly Christmas," so it was clear what time it was: time for the annual drama with Santa Claus. For those of you who have not walked with us through these encounters. Here is a pictorial walk down memory lane.

A-Ro year one.

Year two, A-Ro's hair was longer but little else had changed.

This year...First off, yesterday was November 11th. Christmas is like a year away. We still haven't put away Halloween costumes. So I was unprepared when Lia, who was off yesterday, invited me to meet her and the kids at the mall for lunch. I thought we were going to the mall for lunch. Little did I know that she had an ulterior motive.

We go down the elevator, and there he was - the same holly jolly fellow from last year. I thought we were looking for the food court. Lia led the way. Anna Rose's eyes grew big and teary. I went over to my wife's ear and whispered, "I'm not ready."

"That's the best time to do it," Lia replied.

"But look at our daughter. She is going to lose it," I said.

"But Ned, she's wearing her reindeer shirt."

She was. Who dressed her? I wondered.

"Listen. I don't feel comfortable forcing my daughter into doing things she clearly does not want to do."

(I do this all the time, Lia reminds me.) Besides there's no changing her mind. And there's nothing I can do but let it happen.

So Lia squats down to A-Ro and says: "If you go and tell Santa want you want for Christmas, you can ride the carousel."

Anna Rose looks up, looks over to Santa, looks over to the carousel across the way, looks back at mommy, and says: "I want a princess castle and a princess pony."

Lia takes her hand. Third time (and a little bribery) is the charm...