Dec 18 2007
“Santa, do you remember my name?”
Tonight we went to Applebee’s because AJ hadn’t been to see Santa anywhere yet and it was a way to get it done. He was resistant on the way, insisting that he wanted a happy meal so he could get a new bionicle. (He’s such a consumer!)
When we got into the vestibule, we could see Santa sitting there on a chair inside the door. AJ’s eyes got so big and he was so excited! We went inside and he immediately said “Hi Santa!” Santa did a good job of talking to AJ and making it clear that he remembered him and that he’d grown so much and was a big brother now—Santa is excellent at deductive reasoning! 
Somewhere in the course of the conversation, AJ said, “Santa, do you remember my name?” and Santa said, “Do I remember your name? How could I forget a good boy like you! AJ, what is your name? It’s AJ right?”
Santa also talked about how much he’d grown since last year and as he wandered through the restaurant, he checked in to see that AJ was eating all of his food and told him he’d be watching him. One of the times past, AJ asked how did the elves feed the reindeer and Santa had an answer about corn and hay and that they were getting strong and rested for the busy night next week. He was by far the best Santa we’ve seen (as far as amount of interaction and effort) in the 5 Christmases we’ve done. I was pleased and I know AJ was too.
He never told Santa what he wanted but told us at the table that Santa would know just what he wanted. I asked, “Does that mean that whatever Santa chooses you’ll be happy with?” and he said yes! Maybe I can avoid another trip to the store to find a Power Ranger after all!
The other adorable thing AJ said tonight was “Santa has two beards, a real one on his chin and a fake one under his nose, but that’s okay.” I explained that the beard under Santa’s nose was a mustache.
There is NOTHING like a good Santa. We have a wonderful one here at the one Mall that J has seen since she was 6 months old. He has everything REAL also, so he isn’t so odd and scary looking LOL. Which reminds me, we have not made it out to see him yet!
How did Santa know his name? Did he hear you guys say it?
I mouthed it to Santa behind AJ’s back. He was also good at reading lips!