Mason was 11 months old for his first Christmas, old enough to have fears... So his mums, full of joy and anticipation, did what we'd been waiting to do for many years, took our baby for his first ever photo on Santa's knee at the local shopping centre. Hmmm, yes, you guessed it, Mason was scared of Santa and cried so much we just couldn't force him to sit in Santa's arms. So instead, Andy and I sat on a knee each and I held a sobbing little boy. Funny pic (haven't scanned it - but will do so soon, so I can share)
I do have one pic of that special 1st Christmas Day to share (sadly Mason was unwell and still crying!):

Christmas 2004


So forward to Mason's 2nd Christmas, we came upon the area where Santa was sitting and the cries and shakes began again. We tried on 3 seperate occasions - no go. So no Santa pic
But here is our Christmas Day family pic:

Christmas 2005



Forward to his 3rd Christmas (last year), this time we made it into the line waiting for Santa pics. Mason seemed okay, a little nervous...until we were next in line and he started pulling away and shaking - another year without a Santa pic! So I dressed up as Santa, and talked him into sitting on mummy-santa's knee!

Christmas 2006




Come to Christmas 2007, Mason is now a big boy, almost 4 years old. He is a big brave boy. Loves Santa, can't wait to meet him and shake his hand, and to ask him whether Santa goes snowboarding. We get to the line, we wait, we walk up to Santa, we are sooooo close - and yep, Mason starts pulling away and eyes fill with tears. Still scared of the big man in red - perhaps it's all that glorious white hair/beard?

So we calm him and talk him into a family with Santa pic, and here 'tis (sorry, a bit small):

Christmas 2007

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