Santa Claus

Yesterday, Annalise attempted to visit Santa Claus for the first time ever.  She has been talking for weeks that she "has" to talk to Santa.  What I don't think she realized though was that talking to Santa usually involves sitting in his lap.  Anna was not game for that -- no surprise.  Yesterday when we were at the mall after getting her holiday and 2 year pictures taken at the Picture People, Annalise noticed the kids waiting to see Santa and again, asked to talk to him.  So, we got in line.  While in line it occured to me that I never actually asked her what she was going to tell him that she wanted, so I asked her what she was going to say to Santa when we got up to him.  Anna replied that she was going to say "Merry Christmas!".  I informed her that he was probably going to asked her what she wants for Christmas, and again I got the "well-duh" tone, and the answer, "presents".  I said, "But what presents?"  She replied, "purple presents".  Fine.  Purple presents. So we waited longer.  Finally it was our turn and Anna immediately wanted me to pick her up.  We walked up to Santa and Annalise whispered really quietly that she wanted her purple presents and she did tell him Merry Christmas.  I then asked her if she wanted to sit in his lap, which she didn't.  Santa talked to her for a few seconds and I asked her again is she wanted to sit with him.  She didn't answer so I put her on his lap.  She freaked.  Scared. To. Death.  Oh, the look of horror on that poor girl's face.  Needless to say I scooped her up, she immediately stopped crying and gave Santa a high-five and a "thank you" for the coloring book.  Honestly, I didn't think she would even talk to him so I guess the visit went better than I anticipated!  The whole rest of the day Anna kept saying that she "cried at Santa".  Maybe next year she will sit with him!