Shannonogans: Santa - to believe or not to believe

Santa.

Didn't think it would be an issue this Christmas. Until Justin looked me in the eye the first week in December and asked if he was real.

I distinctly remember the back of my neck starting to sweat. We had been dealing with the issue of lying for the past month.

I was five when I accused my parents of lying to me about Santa. And they chuckled and said they never promoted him, but that I had only gotten in the spirit through every other friend, advertising, etc.

My son is four going on 20. I knew he would not forget me lying to him if I choose to do so. He remembers everything, and even remembers how old he was at the memory.

So long story short I told him the truth. Derek was even surprised. I wasn't ready this Christmas to let the cat out of the bag, though I still had never made more of Santa than a photo at the mall. We had decided as a family to do Christmas 2010 more about Advent then about the big red fellow.

Justin was told that most every other kid out there believed in him, so let's not blow the secret. We would clarify often that we choose not to believe but that's it's fun for lots of families.

Whenever an adult would ask him what Santa got him for Christmas he would look them in the eye and immediately say nothing. Which of course would throw them off. But when a peer or fellow kid would ask, he would act like he didn't hear. I would ask him later if he heard them, to which he would reply that he did but didn't want to get into it with them.

So we survived a Christmas without blowing the good news to other unsuspecting kids.

But, we still did some Santa-ing. Every year for 22 years of my life my mom would take a photo of me and my brothers for Christmas. Every year I love going to their house and walking down memory lane looking at the photos. So Justin has been the same thing until now. What to do?

On Tuesday, our fun day, I asked if we could go smile with Santa. Memorial City Mall or Galleria, I asked? He asked me which one came into town first. The many of confusing questions as my little boy figured out this mystery of a man he really never knew.

We walked in to no line, got our candy cane to suck on, and were on our way. he kept clarifying that he was not real and we didn't believe in him, right?

Then we rode the train, which is always exciting.

I was asked to sit behind the little master. I obliged and took photos. We then rode the escalator for about 30 minutes, truly the highlight of the day. So mommy got her yearly photo and we could call it quits.

But then I remembered that the only social event of my neighborhood that I couldn't find anyone to help me with was Santa in the CBB. So I told my rented Santa that my son knows. And wouldn't you know Santa Ed asked Justin what he wanted for Christmas. And Justin doesn't understand the question and just says a toy.

I got a photo with the red guy. For old times' sake.

Me and my Titus 2 mentor, Jody. She doesn't know that her title is such, but I perceive her as this. Jody is a wiser believer who is constantly encouraging me, following up with me, and always right by my side. I love that we are a few streets over and constantly run into her, Betsy, and Rocky on our walks. Truly a blessing in my life. Can't imagine my day without my Jody!

Justin attacking the cookie decorating.

I randomly picked up some ginger snaps from Whole Foods to decorate as well. The adults were eating them as much as the kids. They were delish, and even better with a tub of icing on top.