Santa and the Mermaid

On Friday, I picked Lily up from school and we went to the Bass Pro Shop to see Santa.  Lily told me how this Santa looked different then the last Santa she saw and how he thought he might be a Santa Helper.  A few nights ago she told a friend of mine that some kids at school told her Santa was dead but she didn't believe them.  She's a smart girl... but she also loves fairy tales and magic and fairies and I hope she just stays that way for a long time.  On Santa's lap, Lily told Santa all about the karaoke machine she wanted for Christmas.  Then Santa turned to Isaac and asked what he wanted. He looked over at the four wheelers on display and said, "I want one of those!"  Santa laughed out loud and I wondered if it wasn't the first time he had heard that.  Good luck fitting that in your bag, Santa!

Out in the lobby of the adjacent casino they have a huge aquarium filled with sting rays and leopard sharks and tropical fish.  Every now and then they have a mermaid that comes to swim with the fish.  We were lucky enough to catch her just before we were leaving.  Lily loved it (but noticed her suit and oxygen hose right away).  Isaac thought she was amazing.  He was a bit shy and would not stand up against the glass like Lily and the other kids.  The mermaid swam back and pointed at Isaac and motioned for him to come forward.  When he got there she got down and kissed him through the glass.  He laughed and ran back to me laughing "oh how silly. She kissed me.  That's silly!"  It was soo darn cute I wish I would have gotten a video of it!