Apples, Santa and Love

Hillers and I were cruising the mall for a dress for moi, when we saw Santa and his elves- no kids, no shoppers. Us. Santa. Hilly and I watched, discussed, waved. He waved back. I took her up and she clung to me like a desperate koala. I did what any loving mother would do and handed over my baby to a strange man in a red suit. Her face dropped and she began to cry in slow mo.

When jack saw the picture she was amazed. She muttered in the back seat on the way home from school "it's so beautiful.." I said "What did you say?" she responded "It's beautiful."

Then I told her H was crying bc she wasn't there to be brave with her. Jackie became a loving big sis for the rest of the day. "hilly, sweetheart, I had to go to school." she then looked at me and said "I had fun." and repeated it.

Then I heard her say to H "you are so cute! So cute! Honey, did you cry bc you were scared of Ho-Ho? It's ok. I was at school! Did you cry, honey?" she gave her extra love all day.