If Only Last Year Would Have Lasted....

(adapted from Doubled-Over blog)

Last year our girls had their first conscious meeting of Santa.

It all happened one cool, December evening at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. It was time to get into the "spirit of the season" so we we figured it would be a great time for us to meet my sister and her family along with my parents there and introduce the girls to Santa for the 1st time that they would be aware of anyway. (You know, year one doesn't really count.)

If you have not visited the Gaylord during the holidays, it is a wonder world of Christmas lights and fun. Trains, decorations, people, music and of course a huge Santa's workshop to boot. Figured it would be a great place to get some memorable family photos and fill the brain full of laughs and gaffs.

Such are the naive thoughts of people who have been parents for all of 15 months.

Things were progressing nicely until the girls caught wind and got in eye-shot of the big old man in the all red suit. I am sure their little brains were confused....

"Take a look at this dude Chloe," I can imagine Sidney saying in her developing twin babble.

"Yea, what is UP with that?" Chloe agrees.

"Is he for real? What is he anyway, a fireman that can't find it in his heart to retire? I mean how old can this man be?" Sidney chides in.

"I don't know Sid," Chloe says, "but I do NOT like the way he is looking at us and I think mom and dad are giving us away to this bearded man. Why is he smiling?....."

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" they screamed in perfect Christmas harmony while kicking Julie and I in every place imaginable.

Needless to say, the picture we got of them with Santa in 2006 WAS memorable for sure. Their scream wrenched faces tell it all.

It wasn't until a few weeks ago, when I noticed this sudden affinity for Santa which seemed to come out of nowhere, that I realized how great I could have had it. But now their frightened hearts a year ago suddenly beat with excitement at the sight of the "weird man in red". Call it Christmas magic.

That's when it hit me that them liking this guy was not a good thing for the checking account of a dad of multiples.

Twice the fun, twice the price. 'Tis the season.

If only....

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. " Luke 2:10-11

(c) 2007, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it!"