Schuler Central: Four Santas and One Bright Night

We saw four Santas today...'tis the season, eh! Fortunately not all at the same time. To our delight, Jay likes Santa a lot.

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SANTA #1 - Pancake Breakfast with Santa

A free event sponsored by the Rotary Club in our Town and so much fun. We saw a number of people we knew in town....made us feel like true locals.

The line to see Santa was a good hour, so we opted for pancakes first. After Jay gobbled up his pancakes (literally, he ate his two pancakes in what seemed like less than a minute), he asked to see Santa. Unfortunately, the line to sit in Santa's lap was still an hour plus, so Brian took Jaydon over to see Santa from a distance. This seemed to satisfy Jay ok...whew! Bah-humbug to long lines and long waits!

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SANTA #2 - Santa on the Sidewalk by a Walgreens

We were stopped at a stoplight. Jaydon waved out the window, and cheerfully reported, "There's Santa!"

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SANTA #3 - In La Moda Salon

We stepped in to the store to inquire about gift certificates and much to our surprise Santa appeared. This was by far the most authentic Santa we saw today. His beard and mustache were real...I wish I had a picture of him. Here's the conversation Jaydon had with Santa at the salon:

Santa: Hi!
Jay (giving Santa a hi-5): Hi!
Santa: Have you been a good boy this year?
Jay: Yeah. I had pancakes with you.
Me (to explain for Santa): We had pancakes with you this morning, Santa, in our town.
Santa: Oh, yes, you were eating pancakes!
Jay: Yeah!
Santa: What would you like for Christmas?
Jay: A grader.
Santa: Oh, a grader. That's a good one. Anything else?
Jay: A grader.
Me (again feeling the need to explain): A construction grader.
Santa: That seems easy! Would you like a candy cane?
Jay: Sure.
Me: Say bye to Santa, Jay, and wish him a Merry Christmas.
Jay: Bye! Merry Christmas!
And then we were on our way...

PS. Ask Jaydon what he wants for Christmas or what he wants from Santa and he consistently says a grader. That's our boy!

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Santa No. 4 - At Santa's Cottage at Springfield's Bright Nights Event

Finally, Jaydon gets to sit on Santa's lap...

...And with his friend, Andrew, too.

This was a fun event. You drive through Forest Park through an elaborate (and lengthy) light display. Along the way, you can stop at Santa's cottage to see Santa, see some lights up close, listen to some holiday music, grab a bite or a beverage, and, of course, shop a bit. We visited Bright Nights with our friends, Bev, Henry, Andrew, and Sarah and then went out to dinner afterwards. We had a great time, and Andrew and Jaydon had so much fun together!