The Other Red Guy

Although not normally my cup of tea, I was excited to have a girls' day of shopping today.  My mom is here this week, the Christmas spirit is starting to seep in, and I couldn't wait to see how Punky would react to meeting Santa.  We headed to the mall before lunch and I was ready to shop till I dropped.  I was on a mission to finish all my Christmas shopping, dammit.

About an hour into it, I was over it.  What can I say?  I hate shopping and, no matter how much I pump myself up for it, I am quickly aggravated by the crowds, obnoxious salesmen, ridiculous prices, and sheer frustration over what to by for people.  I stuck with it for hours though...and umpteen stores later I still wasn't finished.  Sigh.

When we first arrived at the mall, we headed right for Santa.  We tried all week to prepare Punky for the thirty-second lap sit and photo in the hopes of preventing a meltdown and actually getting a half-decent picture.  We explained the process over and over, and obviously acted super-excited each time.  Enthusiasm is contagious, so they say.  

Every time we asked her what she was going to ask Santa to bring her for Christmas, she told us "Dirt."  Seriously.  Dirt.  Of all the things a kid could want, mine wants dirt.  I think maybe she misses playing outside in the dirt now that winter has arrived.  At least I hope that's the reasoning behind her reply.  Otherwise, I have an extremely odd child.

Anyway, we stood and watched Santa for a few minutes before getting in line.  Happy kids, one right after another, smiling and laughing, sitting so nicely on his lap and telling him their wish lists.  Punky was smiling, too.  She waved at Santa and was excited to get in line to take her turn.

Everything was going smoothly and according to plan.  There was only one child left in front of us and I thought it would be smooth sailing.  Until that child freaked the hell out.  Screaming, squirming, crying her eyes out.  She wanted no parts of Santa whatsoever.  No way, no how.  And watching the chaos in front of us, Punky's smile quickly faded...and it took her courage and enthusiasm with it.  Shit.

In the end, I was proud of her.  She was definitely apprehensive about the whole lap thing and she wouldn't crack a smile for anything, but she held it together and resisted the urge to completely melt down.  And when he asked what she wanted for Christmas, she boldly told him..."Presents!"  Whew.