Dear Santa, I like you, but don't get too close.

 A couple of weeks ago, we walked into the mall and discovered the area in Macy's where you can write a letter to Santa and even mail it.  They donate a small amount of money to somebody for every letter received.  We thought it would be a fun "first" for Eva to do this Christmas.

I "translated" Eva's scribbles to tell Santa that she wants a baby doll and a princess dress.  

Then we put the letter into the fake mailbox.  It was super fun!

Just moments later, we saw Santa in the mall and Eva thought that she might want to go see him.  We went to the line and I stayed with Eva.  I could see her getting more and more apprehensive as we got closer to Santa.  She started chewing on her fingers and staring Santa down.  It was kinda funny.   I assured Eva that I would stay with her and she could sit beside Santa rather than on his lap.  

Our turn came and we walked to Santa, as Eva started telling me she didn't want to see him.  So we squatted beside Santa and he tried to give Eva some candy canes, but she wouldn't take them.  He then put them down beside her and she scooped them up quickly.  The only picture we got was of me giving Santa a high five.  I was trying to get Eva to give Santa a high five, but she had already taken off toward daddy.  So daddy took a picture of me high-fiving Santa.  Kinda funny.