visit with Santa

Last night we took the kids to visit Santa's Workshop at Wickam Park in Manchester, CT. This place is the real deal -- I mean, just look at those elves working on making those toys! And who has a Christmas tree that big in their shop other than the Clauses? And, look -- who's that serving hot chocolate and cookies in the kitchen? Why, Mrs. Claus, of course. Yup, this be the place! We discovered it last year and it's now part of our yearly holiday tour.

First stop for the kids was the Head Elf's Office. He took down their names and what they wanted Santa to bring and logged it all in on the official List. Then it was just a short wait by a cozy fire in a rustic fieldstone fireplace (complete with a large moose head!) for their turn to see the man in red.

And it was well worth the wait. I'll tell you, Santa has an incredible amount of patience, and there's just no hurrying him along. Zoo Boy excitedly wanted to go first, and happily scrambled up into Santa's lap and snuggled right in with him, chattering away about the gift he wants. When Santa asked him if there was anything else he wanted, he said "nope, that's good". That's my boy!

Then it was J's turn. He surprised me by saying "and I also would like....", and I leaned in a little closer to hear what he was going to say, because, you know, the Head Elf didn't have anything else on his official list, so I thought we might have to do some last minute adjustments! But no, J was just making conversation, because he ended his sentence with "well, I like toys". Phew!

After receiving an apple from Santa, it was off to visit Mrs. Claus in her kitchen, where J graciously accepted a cookie and some cocoa. J let me drink the cocoa, and let Zoo Boy (who gobbled his cookie up in short order!) eat his cookie, but he was appropriately enthusiastic about receiving them from our hostess.

I assure you, nothing comes closer to authentic -- and without the long, cold trip to the North Pole!