We have moved into a great neighborhood. Those we have met have been kind, friendly, welcoming and helpful. On Friday night, a couple of new neighbors stopped by to introduce themselves and tell us about Santa coming to the park Saturday.
Our new friend and his wife just so happened to be dressing as the jolly dude and his sweet side kick (aka Santa and Mrs. Claus). HOW FUN! Right?! WRONG.
For weeks I have been getting the kids "ready" for this day. We decorated the tree. We brought out all the St. Nick decorations. We've chatted endlessly about how great Santa is and how this is the best time of year. I've taught the kids all about Santa and his reindeer and how Santa brings presents to good girls and boys. We've watched Dora's Santa Special. We've watched Diego's Santa Special. We've watched the golden oldies; Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Claus, etc.
My pain staking preparations seemed to be working. The kids were STOKED to meet the "Real Santa." So, that morning we went down to Santa's house and got to meet him and his doggies before the park festivities began. The kids were THRILLED! So, I thought to myself.. "GREAT!" This year is gonna be different then last year (click here for 2007 picture). That's right.. NO bad Santa photo contest for us this time!
WRONG....
Left to Right
Santa, Ally, Molly, Libby, Russ, and Mommy
"What in God's name was I thinking? Just keep smiling, just keep on smiling!"
-Gen
"Hey Mom, can we go see Santa agian?"
(not kidding-they really did say that!)
Russ, Ally, Molly and Libby
'Till next year Santa!
XOXO
Gen and Conor
Two Words: Bladder Incontinence.
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!!! i haven't laugh/cried that hard in a while--i've missed you momma!:)
ReplyDeletei wish we didn't have to be on lock down i think it would be so funny to see what my kiddos would do...i can only imagine!
love you!
jenny
I TOTALLY feel you on this one. On Thursday I'll post our experience with Santa this year. What a horrid time was had by all...most especially my almost 3 year old.
ReplyDeleteYour kiddos are too cute. They're just precious!
Oh WOW..this one might just trump last years! lol
ReplyDeleteLove the last pic too..so adorable!!
OH no!!!! I am taking E&W to see Santa this weekend... are you telling me I should expect the same thing??? SHEESH!!!!
ReplyDeleteso glad you are back!!!!
Gen, THANKS SO MUCH!!! That photo made my Christmas week! I'm so glad you blogged it and kept looking up and smiling. I wish I could say it was the best HOM photo ever. But I think the Wilkinson's quints mid-projectile-vomit photo is still the best ever. Having had scared of santa and reflux babies, well, you gotta agree she got one lucky shot!
ReplyDeleteFrom one of your many jealous moms of just one, two or three at a time pregnancies....that photo captured it perfectly on why we shouldn't be too jealous at the posts during most of the year!
I've got four of my own (one at a time) but have been in bed recovering from birth complications. It's been hard, but finding you and the other HOM girls has made many painful days go by quickly and happily. Thanks for blogging your story as it continues.
And now I must stop laughing before I wake up a little one......
I love this photo. I agree-tops last year. Seems like all four are in top panic mode...so funny. thanks!
ReplyDeletePRICELESS
ReplyDeleteand you had the biggest smile thru it all. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great story. Gotta love kids. Maybe next year will be there picture perfect year.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a sport! I love it! There is always next year, and then the next....our pic looks just like this one (with two less kids that is...).
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
oh my word Gen, that photo is beyond funny!
ReplyDeleteI know you wanted a perfect photo, but you know what, i think that one is, because you will laught so much about in twenty years time :-)
Good to have you back, Gen!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to decide if we should brave the malls to get pics with Santa. Your pics may have helped me make a decision - too funny! I think I need one to look back on.
Love,
Moni
This post made my morning! Hysterical...just when you thought all the prepping and pre-planning would be enough:) I'm so thrilled that your neighbors are welcoming you all with open arms.
ReplyDeleteSomehow you manage to look great and still smile in every picture! So cute/funny!
ReplyDeletegen, i absolutely laughed my little ARSE off when i saw this pic on your facebook. OMG! i didn't think anything could out-do last year's photo with Santa! these are priceless--i like these photos better than the perfect pictures of smiling babies! SOOOOO FUNNY! and SOOOOO glad you are back on the internet!
ReplyDeleteha! oh, that's hilarious! sorry to laugh at your expense ;) but hey, you can pull out this picture years from now and say "look at you guys! what was up with that?"
ReplyDeletekids...they are too cute, too silly and too crazy ;)
-fellow quad mom of GGGG and a 4yo boy
Hilarious! This may be another contest winner!!
ReplyDeleteGen, the kids'll hate you for it, but these are photo card perfect! Guess it's nice this didn't happen in the mall, right? I was scared of Santa myself for a LONG time!
ReplyDeleteHILARIOUS...you would so win that not my child contest any day :) They make me smile!
ReplyDelete~Elyse~
Is The Poop having a contest this year?? If so you must enter that picture!!!
ReplyDeleteWe actually got a good Santa pic this year, but Nick is 4 and Ian is 6 1/2! keep hoping.
ReplyDeleteNot that this will help the kiddos like Santa anymore, but you are so funloving and creative I wanted to share a tradition we started last year. It's called Elf on the Shelf. You can buy a set with the elf (which you name and register) and the book for about $20. Right after Thanksgiving, the elf appears and the whole deal is that he doesn't talk, you can't touch, but each night he flies back to the North Pole to tell Santa all about how you've been. The next morning when the kiddos wake up they have to find the elf because he doesn't always come back to the same place (unless mommy forgets and then it's because he really likes that spot). Occassionaly I add a little treat or two for the boys (xmas placemats, window clings, etc). They LOVE getting up each morning and trying to locate our little elf. This year they began leaving him candy canes each night and were so amazed when they were gone in the morning. The biggest hit was when our elf was found holding Ian's super kid report from school!!
Anyway....sorry to blather on. I just thought as much fun as you have with the kids you might enjoy it too!!!
Amy Neto
We went today to take a photo of the girls and they didn't like him. They screamed a lot. So, no picture with Santa.
ReplyDeletethe during and after pics are hilarous!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!!! Gen - love your sense of humor through it all! We are trying to prep our 2 for meeting the big guy next week at our MOMs party. Right now my lil miss is terrified, but slowly warming up to the life-sized statue in their room at school/daycare. But she spent the past 4 days in the farthest corner of the room, shielding her eyes from him! She was willing to touch the Santa doll on the couch today...but I am sure we're a long ways off from the real thing!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo tho!!! Can you imagine how much they'll all laugh about that when they are older??
oh my gosh! i totally love that picture of the quads with you! i love reading your blog. what a beautiful family you have!
ReplyDeleteOK I really think you should blow up that picture and frame it!! I LOVE it! Hilarious-best Santa picture I've ever seen! LOve you! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I never thought you could trump last years photo....but you just have!!! Thank you I really needed that laugh today : )
ReplyDeleteGen Gen Gen.. It only gest better then that. Oh I miss those days and would trade you anytime.. Mom and I love those kids so much. you brighten my day.. When i have a bad day i go to see how your day was.. You always win.. I have seen and been through alot but your kids still supprise me.. lol:0 love haveing you guys close..
ReplyDeleteNikki