November 26, 2006-- I'm really enjoying getting to once again experience the unique ways children express themselves, such as, "I
saw Rudolph's nose last year. One of my eyes woke up and I saw a red light in my room," and, "I always share with my sister
every once in a while," or one young one who said they wanted "Donald the duck" for Christmas. That one quacked me up-----
sorry. Ho-Ho! S.C.
November 24, 2006-- It's here! The season has begun and Maggie, the elves, reindeer and I will be moving into overdrive to try
and get everything done in time for Christmas only a month away. First though, we hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with
family and friends. A few of the things I'm thankful for: a beautiful world to live in and enjoy, the ability to laugh, cry
and love, people to care about, reindeer that can fly, hope for the future and the opportunity to work to and for children.
I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing from them and you. Ho-Ho! S.C.
November 29, 2006-- The kids also keep touching my heart. A 4 year old girl said, "You have a cuddly beard." A 5 year
old said to be good, "I gave my mom 1000 hugs." One little girl made my day with, "I don't have a lot to say except that you
are the best Santa Claus in the whole wide world and I love you." No one can speak straight from the heart like a child. S.C
November 27, 2006-- The kids keep me ho-ho-hoing. When I told one I may not be able to bring everything on his long list he
said, "That's okay, just bring half this year and half next year." A 7 year old deal maker. One little one was going to
leave me, "Turkey and beans" for a snack. A 4 year old girl said she wanted lipstick, "cause I want to decorate myself like
a princess." Another girl wanted "pink duct tape" for Christmas, but was not sure why. Asking one 5 year old what he did
to be good this year, he very quickly and matter of factly responded, "let me think-- it's kind of hard to remember for a whole year."
Ho-Ho! S.C.
December 1, 2006-- Things are hopping here at the pole. Tuffin the tailor has designed a whole new line of dollys' dresses and
his cousin, Gruffin, the only grouchy elf, is, of course, complaining about being too cold, getting icicles in his beard, or whatever
he can come up with. Trouble remains true to his name, inventing a new playdough which sticks to everything like superglue,
and Rudolph broke into the candy kitchen again and has a tummy ache from eating too much fudge. It's a good thing Maggie's here
to stay on top of it all. Ho-Ho! S.C.
December 2, 2006-- Sometimes, kids share what is closest to their hearts, "I just wish my dad could be happy the rest of the year,"
or "I want a good Christmas where everybody likes what they get and don't fight about wanting what someone else gets," and "I want
a frog and peace on earth." One 7 year old girl said to be good she "thinks about happy things and talks away the anger."
Good advice for all. S.C.
December 3, 2006-- One young boy told me that he'd been coming to see me for 13 years, and this year, "I'm on the student council
and helped raise money to get a bike for a girl in the hospital." Other responses to "what did you do to be good this year included:
"Took care of my parents." (age 6), "I'm starting to clean up my room for now." (age 6), "I let mommy do her homework." (age 4), "I
was changing my diaper." (age 2) Hmmmm? "I'm teaching my friend to become a Christian." (age 9), "I could jump in the sleigh
and say hohoho with you." (age 3) Indeed. S.C.
December 4, 2006-- Oh me, oh my, the time does fly. Every day it is closer to Christmas, so it's important to get us your letters
and lists and e-mails. I'm still getting used to that last one. By the way my name is spelled Claus, not Clause (thanks,
Tim Allen), nor Claws (that's just scary). If you wait 'til the last minute, you might want a dolly with red hair, and we may
only have the ones with black hair left. We can't always get you exactly what you want, but we will bring you something you
like. Take good care, Santa
December 5, 2006-- Kids do say the most amazing things to Santa. A 5 year old, "You know that batman game you left me last year
and it didn't work and I got kind of mad? So I want one again this year." "I'm going to leave you out root beer and slim
jims." Yummy. A 4 year old, "I want a robot." And what else? "What all do you have?" "I saw your picture
at Target." I do get around. A 3 year old warned me, "Be careful when you pick me up. I'm real heavy. You
aren't heavy. "Well when mom carries me I'm real heavy." Interesting messages the little ones pick up. Ho-Ho!
S.C.
December 6, 2006-- Lots of interesting responses to what did you do to be good? A 3 year old, "I been good lately." Another
3 year old girl, "My sister gets me in trouble." Mom: "She doesn't have a sister." Another 3 year old, "I didn't hit Bella."
(her little sister) A 3 year old boy, "I eat a lot of stuff at dinner time." A 6 yer old, "I walk away from strangers."
"I tried to save some lizards in the snow storm. I saved two, but one died." I trust they were appreciative of his compassion.
I am. ~Santa
December 7, 2006-- When asked why I bring toys to boys and girls, one little one replied, "Because the three wise men brought gifts
to the baby Jesus." What a wonderful answer. A 4 year old confused me, "I want some kind of toy that goes round and round
in circles." What is it? "I don't know, but it goes back and forth, too." Oh! One of those. A 2 year old responded
to, "Have you been good?" with an earnest, "I'm trying." A 3 year old to the same question said, "I've been coughing and sneezing,"
and indeed he was. Quick! The vitamin C!! And an 11 year old said that all she wanted was, "money to donate to Muscular
Dystrophy." She's got the right idea. ~Santa
