A Run In With Saint Nick

Despite my better judgment I took the kids out to eat Saturday night at a coffee shop near our house. The surrounding neighborhood was having its annual holiday celebration - stores open late, strolling carollers, wassail, hot chocolate - and I thought we could eat and catch a little of the merriment. But the best part of the evening happened before the evening even started really. As we were walking into the coffee shop we ran into ... Santa.

Sam and Jake immediately ran to hug him, and right on cue he said, "Finally! The elves told me I should be watching for two brothers in Batman hats and here you are!" (The boys seemed to forget they were wearing Batman hats. It was just a comment from omnipotent Santa ... )

Although Abby was not so effusive she immediately cut in. "We have your elf at our house," she said, referring to General Snowball. And without missing a beat, Santa asked, "Are you taking good care of him?"

We chatted for a bit and then started to go our separate ways. Santa was walking away when he turned quickly ("with a jerk" perhaps) and pointed at Jake. "And YOU. You're still on my nice list, but you have to remember that there are 19 days until Christmas and you have to be good each and every day. Can you do that?"

Our own little miracle, right there on Bishop Street.