French Resturant Santa in China

Just like last year, we gathered our children and went to the French restaurant in town for a nice big breakfast and waited for Santa to show up.

We engaged our anxious kids into making tree decorations while waiting for the big man.



Instead of joining the big kids, Dinbit spent a lot of time playing among balloons.





The kids had thoughtful discussions about Santa's arrival.



They waited by the window.



Checked by the stairs.



Sang Christmas Carols.



Debated over the timing of Santa's arrival.



And then... all of a sudden the kids heard bells and ran to the stairs.



And sure enough - there he was - big, awesome, and unbelievable!



Joy erupted in the restaurant.



Delighted parents watched on.



As the kids buzzed around Stanta...

"How did you get here?" They wanted to know.

After answering a couple of questions, Santa got right down to business.



Buchela was anxious to get his present.



He was dismayed his name wasn't called yet.



A couple of presents and he was down right in distress!

He kept on asking Santa's helper where his was.

When he got up and beelined it to Santa - asking "Santa, did you bring me something?" "What about me?" - I had to interfere.



It then was magically his turn.





He was so excited he barely sat on Santa's lap.



He went right onto opening his loot.



And fell in love with his robot at first sight.

In the meantime...



It was Dinbit's turn to approach the big man.



As we got closer, she clasped her legs against my hips and refused to get handed over to Santa.



And started crying.

She didn't care for her present either.

Not surprising considering Santa brought her a music box!

What was he thinking?!





Buchela spent the rest of the morning playing with his robot.



Once we got home, Babba tried to teach Dinbit how to work the music box.



But the robot was sure the biggest hit with all three children in our home!