Photos with Father Christmas is not the same as photos with Santa Claus

Maybe some of you were wondering why I only included a photo of Seth on Santa's lap yesterday (at least my parents were thinking this), but it was too choice not to leave it to it's own post as this illustrates so well a part of British culture that does not compute in America....well at least not where I'm from.  

Exhibit A:

Annual picture with Santa fail.
This is as close as she would get, and I don't think I need to tell you how she felt about it.
Call me a bad mom, but I was totally fine with having Santa hold her and getting that quintessential crying with Santa photo, but British Santas frown on this and will not take screaming children.
What?!  Who does not own a photo with Santa where at least one sibling is crying?  Anyone?

Seth never went through the "scared of Santa" phase which I was always kind of proud of since all of our photos, he's totally cool about it.

Who, this guy?  We go way back.

I figured Avery wouldn't be as willing since she's always been a mama's girl, but she surprised me her first Christmas.

Let's take a little trip down memory lane and check out the difference between Photos with Santa in the US and the UK.  I only did one or the other each year because I am not a glutton for punishment.

Texas 2010 - Seth at 6 months
I don't even think they had a sit with Santa option this year in Edinburgh.

Texas 2011: Seth at 18 months (and photo credit to Memorial City Photographers).
I thought he might cry this year because all of his cousins screamed for their 18 month Santa photo.
Um no.  This kid loves Santa. And I'm pretty sure that is actually Santa Claus - I mean look at him.
No wonder Seth didn't cry! Best.Santa.Ever.

Now we knew getting to Houston on Christmas Eve wouldn't give us enough time to make it for Avery to have her first Santa Photo with Santa himself, but we settled for Father Christmas in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh 2012: Seth 2.5, Avery 9 months
She looks concerned, but she was actually totally fine and was just pointing out the twinkly lights.
Main difference between Edinburgh sit with Santa and US...where do I even begin?!  It's literally a gold chair under an arch covered in fake greenery and lights sitting in an open area in a mall.  That's it.  No photographer trying to nickel and dime you, no back drop blocking the pink fluorescent store lights in the background, and most obviously no Santa hat - what?  Is he supposed to look like a festive Jawa?
And actually I'm fine with all that because no fuss equals no queue line!
.

I noticed this year as Christmas drew nearer that Santa's photo area had been revamped.  I wondered how this would affect the line and if that meant we would now have to pay a photographer to photograph our children.  Wait.  What? Even hearing that somebody could force you to pay someone else to take a photo of your child with Santa instead of allowing you to just do it yourself  for free sounds so wrong - I can't imagine that happening here (at least not in Scotland...maybe in London).  But my fears were assuaged when we showed up with the kids dressed up and nary a photographer or line was to be seen.  If only my daughter would have cooperated.  Or Santa had only just held her long enough for me to snap one shot.

And we've gotta end with this photo again because her face is so classic.
Edinburgh 2013: Seth 3.5 seriously contemplating what he'd like for Christmas,
Avery 21 months and
not.interested.

 

St. Patrick's Day

2012:

one day old!

2013:

Time flies!

Seth's First Day of "School"

**Part of the "this actually happened a few months ago series"...

I can't believe it, but my baby had his first day of "school" today (mother's day out).

I didn't know what to expect, but I knew it was time.  As much as I hate change and don't like to think of him not being my little buddy during Avery's morning nap time, I knew it was best for him.  I wondered if he'd cry when I left, I prayed he wouldn't feel abandoned. I truly didn't know what to expect.

Every week when we go to baby and toddler group (basically the same thing as "school" but the moms stay), he says, "Mommy, we're going to brown church today not red church." By this he means baby and toddler group (with mom) not Sunday school (without mom).  Our church has wooden floors in the baby and toddler group room and red carpet in his Sunday school room.  I love his mind.

Every week he clings and cries when it's time to drop him off at Sunday school.  I am always hurried out the door by a Sunday school teacher while being promised that he'll be fine.  I wait outside the classroom door until he stops crying.  Once I am out of sight, he stops and looks for the nearest car to play with.  One of his teachers has picked up on this affinity and comes prepared almost eradicating the crying though not completely.  For the few seconds it takes to walk him through the door, kiss his cheek, and leave the room, the crying still happens.

Would he do this at mother's day out?  Could I leave him there with teachers who don't know about his car attachment?  Will they listen to his orations about cars and trucks? Will they help him name the new ones?  Will they watch him closely on the playground making sure the other kids are kind and that he's not trying to climb to the highest height of the jungle gym?

I know 2 1/2 hours apart isn't long, but I'm used to having him by my side "helping" or under my feet playing with his cars.  It's hard.

I bravely take him to his classroom and re-introduce him to his teacher.  After a quick nod he races to the cars and trucks corner and beams up at me, "Mommy, they have Scoop!"  he clutches the backhoe loader from Bob the Builder to his chest and then is hard at play.  I juggle paper work with one hand while shifting Avery on my hip finally getting everything to the head teacher.  By now, Seth is deep in play and hasn't looked for me.  I ask a teacher if I should tell him goodbye.  I want to, but I don't want to make it harder for him.  They tell me either way is fine, so I bend down to kiss his cheek, "Mommy is going to put Avery down for her nap Seppy, but I'll be back soon to get you.  Have fun with the other kids Baby."

"Bye Mama." He replies getting back to his trucks.

No crying - praise the Lord - and a great report when I picked him up.  When we got home, all he wanted was for me to hold him in my lap.  I asked him about "school" and he told me all about the trucks and his snack ("milk, crackers, and cheese, but I didn't eat it because I don't like cheese, and bell-y peppers (thanks Goofy)."

First Day of School

Seth: 2 year old photos

Seth has become increasingly hard to photograph.

Exhibit A: 2 year old photo shoot 

He's considering smiling here.  Or maybe he's just thinking to himself, "why is my mom jumping around like a monkey?"

Now we're distracted by the water.  It would definitely be a good idea to get completely soaked at the beginning of the shoot.

I've managed to get pretty wet, so I guess I'll give you a smile.  

For fun, let's take a trip down memory lane to our 11 month photo shoot:

(This is back when the monkey was still funny apparently.)  

I won't smile, but I'll give you a kiss...

Now you've got the right idea mom - and no, I'm gonna get you!

OK, I've warmed up enough; here's a smile.

And here is my best smile, but I'm about to escape, so you better snap fast Papa!

And he's off...

Nap Time These Days

I am what you call a "scheduled" mom.  This is ironic if you know me in person because "scatterbrained" would probably be close to the top of the list if you were asked to describe me.  I am not organized, and I don't even use a calendar (much to Taylor's chagrin).  I don't know how the "have it together'' gene skipped me because my mom is like an organization genius.  

When it came to having a baby, I knew that I had to redirect all of my organizing power (what little I possessed) from being a teacher to being a mom.  It is all used up there and none is left for my life, but it works for Seth.  He has been a great sleeper and is fairly predictable which helps minimize whining and frustration.  

But we've moved into new territory.  Now instead of me having to watching the clock and for the typical signs (ear pulling, yawning, wanting the paci), he basically just tells me it's nap time.  

I know - still in his pajamas...don't judge! He takes an early morning nap!

Thanks Seth for making it so easy to be your mom.  I hope Little Bits follows in your angel-baby footsteps!