imagination versus reality

i've never encountered a person so enthusiastic about pretending there is a santa.

when we were invited to breakfast with him... how could i say no?

imagine the scene where buddy the elf sees santa in gimballs.  the jumping up and down and screaming part before the beef and cheese line.... yep, that was us.

(time out)

enthralled.

she thought the toy soldier was the nutcracker (we saw the ballet the day before)

there seem to be no boundaries to her imagination.  perfectly content to pretend with glee.  she loves the story so much i couldn't imagine trying to keep up the pretense like other parents do.

this is the child that asks 30,000 questions every car ride.

questions like how are phone wires and other cables hung on poles on the sides of hills and mountains.... there is NO way i could make up that many lies about santa and how he makes his journey and how the reindeer fly and how he gets in houses and how he fits down chimneys... i couldn't do it and i don't want too.

(ten minutes writing a letter to santa in very neat letters that did not form any words)

so take that all you cashiers and mall walkers who think i'm terrible for spilling the beans from the beginning.

the truth did not ruin santa.  the truth was born and laid in a manger and will be celebrated first; santa comes second... more like fifth, and no fun was harmed in the process.