Christmas is coming...

And Nathan is sooo excited! Nathan is completely loving the holiday season - he loves snowmen, Santa, "Santa dancing" (Christmas music), "lights in trees", chocolate treats, stockings, and the baby Jesus (who has accompanied us to ward Christmas parties, the grocery store, and Walmart). Nathan knows that Santa brings good little boys and girls toys and treats, that Santa says "Ho, ho, ho!" and Santa has also joined us on more than one trip and sleeps with Nathan at night.

So, we decided to see if Nathan liked the real thing. Now, I was a Santa's helper for four Christmas's in high school and college, so we had a decent idea of what might be in store. Nathan was excited all the way to the mall and all the way through the line, until we approached the big guy. Then he burst into tears. He wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, and the only thing he would say was, "Santa bye-bye!" over and over again. At least Emily did better. But, by the time we got back to the car, Nathan liked Santa again and was excited about Christmas again. Oh, the fickle emotions of the young :)