Santa Claus is Coming to... Milwaukie?

Right from the get-go, I didn't like the idea of a Santa Party. But it was something Lily's grandparents had bid on at some silent auction. And they'd won it. So of course they gave it to Aaron and Wendy. And despite their crazy schedule (what with Aaron's first show as creative director of his new company having just opened last night!), they decided it was now or never to take advantage of this opportunity to have Santa Claus himself come to Joel and Joyce's house where friends could gather and get some one-on-one time with the man of the season, the genuine Kris Kringle.

My beef was this: Santa ain't got time to come to Joyce and Joel's house in Milwaukie, Oregon. Santa's a busy man! He's not a birthday party clown!

Santa spent most of the party plopped down in a chair not talking to anyone. Most of the adults said hello to him, but it was weird trying to have a conversation with the jolly old elf. For one thing, I wanted to talk to my friends. I don't see them as often as I used to. For another thing, talking with Santa seemed like it would either be illusion-busting, or work. Either I have to say things like, "Do you get any Santa gigs off season, or is this a strictly December kind of thing?" or I have to buy into the fantasy and ask things like, "How's Donder doing these days? He seems like kind of the forgotten reindeer."

Elizabeth and Suzanne were pretty shy around him. And why wouldn't they be? To a kid, Santa is godlike. It would be like having a birthday party for a born-again Christian kid, and having Jesus hanging out. A bit intimidating. I personally like to keep my divinities at arm's length.

But the party itself was fun, and the kids did pose for a picture with Santa (except for Suzanne, who was more interested in the food -- man, that kid can eat!). So all in all, it was a positive holiday experience.

But weird.

Barb and I weren't afraid to pose with Santa.

The girls open their gift bags.

As Suzanne was preparing to go to town on her candy cane, she declared, "It wouldn't be Christmas without candy!"