sharalee prang photography

at this time of year, everyone is posting a picture of their kids with santa.  especially the babies.  we too got swept up in this phenomenon as new parents.  and once you do it the first time and it goes well, you kind of think, "well hey.  this can be our christmas tradition!"  and for me, once i pick a tradition, i do my darndest to stick with it.  because if i don't, it becomes something like the advent calendar i intended on making with the kids this year.  it was december 1st and then 2nd...and then 5th and i was still swearing it was going to happen...and here it is december 24th.  advent calendar is safely tucked away in its original box.

i thought it might be fun to let you in on the evolution of our santa pictures because...well, just because.

the first year:  josiah, 8 months old.  you may think he looks angry, but don't worry he's not.  that's just his relaxed face.  and yes, he is busting out of his clothes because he was ginormous.  this was probably my favorite santa.  he looks the part, was pretty jolly and he actually leaned in - the rest of em just sat stiff as a board.

year two:  not as relaxed.  i don't remember the exact circumstances, i just remember yelling "take the picture" at the elf.  because i was still slightly self-conscious about my parenting and didn't want anyone looking down on me for forcing the screaming kid onto santa's lap.  in contrast, this santa looks happy, but i'm pretty sure he's not.  i'm pretty sure he's part of a biker gang.  check out the boots and the tinted glasses.  i think my claim has merit. (side note: once again, jojo is busting out of his clothes).

year three:  throw 6 month old allie into the picture. this is my favorite one and probably always will be.  there's just so much going on.  different santa and this year there's the added element of mrs. claus.  josiah was hesitant again (hello?! biker santa, anyone?) and she was certain she'd be able to calm him down enough to sit on her lap.  was she ever wrong.  he got even more hysterical.  i'm not sure what the elf was thinking when she took his picture (maybe she was under pressure with me screaming in her ear "just take the picture"), but mrs. claus was clearly not ready.  when she saw this one printed, she actually signed the back and told us we could come and get a re-take anytime.  and please not to ever show anyone this picture.  sorry...i had my fingers crossed.  we never went back for a retake...we're just that sick.

year four: we approached the fron of the line.  things were going well.  kids were enamored with the christmas display and the grinch playing on a nearby tv.  and then we turned toward his throne.  and it started happening again.  but this time it was two of them!  because allie had learned to copy everything her brother did and if he sensed fear, she screamed.  and so, realizing we were getting to the age where they actually start remembering traumatic experiences in their lives, we gave up.  simon alone would just have to do.  and now, being the excellent parents we are, we can look back on this year and remind them of how they wrecked christmas.  i am totally kidding, er, mostly kidding.

which brings us to this year.  kids are 4, 2 and 1.  i was expecting at least one, if not all, to be freaked. again with the christmas display and the grinch and again with the whining and clinging, but i was determined this year people.  it's tradition now.  and you don't mess with sharalee's tradition!  it was time to improvise.  and so, our latest and greatest family picture is revealed.  i don't know if you notice this year's santa leaning a bit as well, but i don't think it was intentional.  he was looking pretty out of it when we approached and cliff said "how's it going today, santa?"  "well", santa says, "the air in the mall really seems to be getting to me today".  um...

merry christmas everyone...i'm going to take time tomorrow to rest, watch a christmas movie, open stockings and soak in my delighted children, listening to allie's gasp of wonder at all the lights ("they're ewywhere"), watching josiah's maturity and silliness collide (standing in his boxer briefs making muscles in the bathroom mirror) and coaxing little simon to walk (he took his first steps tonight...aaaaah!!!).  i'm also going to dwell in my redeemer's love, knowing that he came to live and die...all to save me.  and you.  i am blessed.