Christmas option #1: Santa Visit

We stepped into the mall and well, I expected it to suck. I've been accosted by old men at Micheals (what were they doing there anyway); my crowd aversion was in bloom.

But this mall was quiet, upstaged by the kickier, newer places.

When we got to Santa, Lexi crinkled her nose and expressed some concern over being seen with the ol' fella. I reminded her that we drove out of state, the coast was clear, so please, be a kid one more year.

She smiled and said she would give me another year. And how could I complain when she pointed out how bizarre it is to ask her to sit on some strange man's lap.

I really couldn't refute her argument.

He took his time, chatted with them for at least 10 minutes.

He was kind; Zack was ecstatic. We paid the fine people and bought tokens for the carousel.

I held on to my painted pony, and turned to look behind me. The kids were laughing, the wind blowing through their hair.

As the years tumble by, I want to keep this night and recall their faces, lit up and holy.