And I thought Sundays were slow?

Hello to all my followers.

Today Santa had 274 people through his lap - and today was a short shift. (That figures to be 55 kids an hour.) No wonder I'm tired out. I also had some dogs. Lets see if I can remember...we had a black Lab, Chocolate Lab, 2 Pomeranians, an American Bull dog, a Pointer, and a German Shepard pup.

I had a long line all day except the last 10-15 minutes. I only took 2 short breaks (the "Talent" is tired).

Santa had an emotional start to the day at BPS (which really got me worried). The first one was a young boy who came to me and did not want his picture taken, but wanted me to know his father had died 2 days ago. He asked me to pray for his father, and if I want I can get him (the boy) something. I asked him if he needed anything, he said NO, but Santa could tell he needed a big Santa HUG... So I gave him one and I did not let go until I could tell he was ready, which was a bit. I told him I understood and that he would be OK.

So as I was attempting to pull myself together, a little girl came up and asked for 3-4 things and said that I was to give all her gifts to children who would not get any otherwise. I thanked her and said I would do the best I could, then gave her a hug. Well, as you can imagine, Santa had no luck at keeping it together. So I went and had a drink of water, wiped my eyes with my gloves, took a couple of deep breaths, and continued on. Like I said above, I was sure I was in for a long day. But those two were the only "bad ones."

I did have some strange requests, however. One girl about 12-13 asked that she could get her tongue pierced, as well as her upper body (you can guess what 2 places and you would be right). I told her that she was pretty just the was she was. But it was not for her I guess, but for "him." I have only one question. Why?

Santa also had a young boy about the same age as above and he was sure there was no Santa. He plainly said I was some "guy" who was stuffed and lying to people. Well, Santa could tell I had to fix this quick, so I said softly, "What's fake?" He said, "Everything." SOOOO, I opened my coat and showed him no padding (I even let him poke my belly), I let him touch my beard (which he yanked), and I took off my hat and offered my hair for a pull. Luckily he didn't, but with a timid face he said I was real and quickly left.

I keep telling people that if YOU think Santa is real then he is.

Sweet dreams,

Santa Joe