Because the kids love it.

We haven't taken the kids to see Santa this year... yet.  We will though.  And we'll pay nearly $500 for the quality photo taken by the harem of Mrs. Claus's that work so patiently and quickly to get the "money shot". 

We have forced our children to sit on a strange man's lap every year for eleven years now - since Oldest Boy was two months old.  Some years it's a peaceful, fun process. [Well, maybe it was like that twice.  Or once.]  Usually, it's terrifying for at least one of the boys and completely stressful for Chris and me because of the lines, the screaming, the fitting, and the families with obviously sick children sneezing and coughing in our air space.  We drink when it's over - even if it's in the morning.  True.

I won't bore you with every Santa photo... just the good ones.

December 2001.  This marked the first and only year that Chris and I both had to enter the photo in order to force encourage children to sit on Santa's lap.

December 2002.  Only one child needed restraining coaxing.  [Chris put the DARK socks on Oldest Boy that day.  I would have NEVER let something like that happen.]

December 2006.  Toddler Child had been crying and struggling to escape [he kicked off his shoe], when suddenly he became hypnotized by a member of the Mrs. Claus harem.  I wish that woman lived with us.

December 2007.  THIS is the beauty of having older children.  They can participate in the restraining coaxing.

I just know this year's gonna be great!