A trip to see Santa

We took the kids to the mall yesterday to sit on Santa's lap.  Knowing that it is a different experience every year, we did a practice run in the car.

Me:  So, Everly, what are you going to tell Santa when you sit on his lap?
Everly:  Umm.  I want a Dora watch and  Minnie watch.
Me:  Ok.
Everly:  And a Dora watch.  (pause)  And a Minnie watch.  And a Dora watch.
John:  And a Minnie watch?
Everly:  Yep.  And a Dora watch.
Me:  Ok.  Got it.
Everly:  And a Minnie watch and a Dora watch.
Cortlan:  Everly.  Why do you say the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over again?
John and me:  (chuckling in the front seat because it is oh so true.)
Me:  Cortlan, what are you going to tell Santa?
Cortlan:  Ummmmmm.......
Me:  What do you want Santa to bring for you for Christmas?
Cortlan:  Um.  Legos.  And some Geotrax.
Me:  Nice.  Now don't forget to tell Santa nice and loud so he can hear.
Cortlan:  We will.

When we got to the mall, the kids wanted to go directly to see Santa.  Everly was starstruck.  The look on her face was one of nervousness, not quite fear.  She timidly sat on his lap, with Cortlan on the other side, and told him exactly what she wanted.  Cortlan then surprised us both by saying, "Everly, is there anything else that you want to tell him?" Part of me was waiting to hear her repeat the same thing ten more times, but she just looked at Cortlan like, "Wait.  We didn't practice this part!"  and she just said, "Ummmmmmmm..." until I let her off the hook by indicating that was all she wanted to tell him and that it was Cort's turn.  He told Santa the same thing that he told us in the car, in his quietest voice (of course), and then the kids got their picture taken.  Multiple times.  With only one or the other smiling in each one.

But oh, how I love the magical moments and memories of Christmas time.