We made three attempts to visit Mall Santa this year - the first time I had their hours wrong, the second time the line was really long, and the third time we showed up early to find the line even longer. We'd basically said "Eh, a toddler nearing nap time will NOT fair well in line that long" and called it a miss for this holiday season.

And then, as we were driving home, we saw our local Civic Club was holding photos with Santa right by the town Christmas tree. Sure, the Santa's beard is not real his glasses are missing, and there is a lack of snow and fireplace, but there was no line, no fees, and we scored a giant bag of candy for SuperDad and I.

In fact, it was so simple that I went home and returned with Joe the Greyhound. He didn't score us a giant bag of candy, but he DID give Santa's beard a thorough sniffing and enjoyed getting pet by Rudolph!

(The picture I have where Joe looks at the camera, Rudolph is umm, adjusting his head. I tell ya, if it's not one thing, it's another!)

Either way - Photos with Santa has been checked off our Christmas Bucket List!

This time last year - 9 Months