Santa Explanations

Christmas time with four year old, Preston, and 15 month old, Emory, has been tons of fun this year.  Teaching them that the real meaning of Christmas is the birth of our Lord and Savior is very important to us, but they are also learning that the spirit of Christmas is very much alive in Santa Claus.

Santa comes to visit Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville each year.  Preston first saw Santa in Stephenville at five weeks old.  Emory was 12 weeks old when she first met him there last year.

This year, though, was a little different.

Part of my job is working on the Mommy Mixer program offered at Texas Health Stephenville. As a mom of little ones it’s fun to participate in the program where new moms in the community bring their babies to a monthly gathering. For December, our special guest was Santa Claus.  All of the babies had an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap for pictures.  When we planned our visit from Santa, we didn’t realize that it was going to be on the same day that he was coming to visit the hospital.  So, we had two (different) Santas on the same day!

My husband, Josh, picked up our kids from WeeSchool, and brought them to the hospital.  I was working on finishing the Mommy Mixer when in walked my husband and two kiddos.  Now, Preston is quite observant.  I quickly assessed the situation and knew that he would catch on to two different Santa’s.

I said, “Preston, do you want to sit in Santa’s lap here or wait until he goes over to the big hospital in a few minutes.”  He opted to wait until we were at the big hospital.  Santa #1 and Preston had a great conversation that ended with, “Preston, I’ll see you at the big hospital in a few minutes.  I need to freshen up a bit though since I’ve been playing with all of these babies.”

A few minutes later, we walked over to the “big hospital” where Preston sat on Santa #2’s lap.  He told him what he wanted for Christmas, smiled for pictures, and was very patient as Emory wasn’t as excited to see Santa.  Emory had to study him for a few moments, and then decided she still wasn’t too happy about sitting in the lap of a crazy-looking stranger!

On the way home, out of the clear blue, Preston explained the reason why the Santa’s looked a little different, “Mama, Santa had to change his clothes because all of those babies pee’d on him!”  

Sure makes sense to me!  And, who am I to tell him differently?!

Have your kids explained any interesting stories about Santa Claus?

Julie Swink is a Sr. Marketing Specialist for Texas Health Resources and mother of two.