a christmas miracle

William and James wait to see Santa Claus

William, for the past several years, decided that he won't sit on Santa's lap.  He doesn't even want to go near him.  This year I wasn't going to push him.  If it was going to be so traumatic for him I thought I'd give him a free pass this year.  James, on the other hand, has been dying to talk with Santa.  It's an ever present topic of conversation.  BUT James won't go sit with the jolly old man if William doesn't.  So, William and I had a little chat.  "William," I told him, "you don't have to sit on Santa's lap.  Just be a good big brother and stand next to James while he sits there because James really wants to talk to Santa."  And William, being the great big brother that he is, agreed.  We were all set to see Santa Claus at the ward party--and then missed him by just one minute!  So we braved the crowds yesterday and took them to see the mall Santa.  Rich was doubtful.  He said there was no way that either of the boys would sit with Santa Claus.

James couldn't wait to tell Santa that he wanted a bike.  And as it turned out, William decided he had better tell Santa what he wanted as well.  And they sat and talked for quite a while actually.

Rich calls it our "Christmas miracle."