The Things Kids Say x2

Hi again,

As the days of the Santa "meet and greet" season is now less than 2 handfuls away, the lines get longer every day. Even today the average wait time was 50 min to see the big guy...which makes the parents cranky to say the least. But the joy I see in kids' faces makes it all worth while!

I was asked a few interesting questions from my younger fans today. But first, I need to do a Santa shout out to Daniel Morin. The reason (if you can believe it) is that he was a bit of trouble growing up.  At one of the schools he went to, he was tasked with writing his favorite Bible verse over and over a few dozen times as part of a punishment. So he just happened to pick John 11:35, "Jesus wept." 

I was asked today what the shortest verse in the Bible is, and I was able to pop right off "Jesus wept." to the amazement of the kids and their parents!

A young man gave me a note and asked, "Is this really how old you are?" The note read 1742 years old. Now I may look and act old; but that old???  I told him that I could not tell as it was a secret. (Pretty sharp for an old man!)  :o)

Mrs. Claus and I were working yesterday and a kid asked how many years we have been married. I said 50.  He said "Yeah, it looks like it!"  

Here are a few photos from the last day or two:

Have a Santa happy day,
Santa Joe

The Last of the Dog Days!

Hello!

As I'm writing to you today, it's the final big push to see all my fans before the end of the season - which means, long hours and sometimes, longer lines.

But for you, I will still try to blog at least every other day through Christmas Day!

I have been thinking of things kids say to Santa - as kids say the darndest things you know!

• A little girl (age 8) sat on my lap, looked up at me, and in a serious voice asked me if I would bring a present of underwear for her dad. I peered over the little girl to look at the dad, and he gave me the look "what?" I asked, "underwear?" He got beet red and everyone in line laughed! The little girl said, "Dad, you told me you wanted underwear!" Then the little girl looked at me, still very serious, and said, "Can he have ones with smiley faces on them?" I said (looking at the dad), "Smiley faces, huh?" Everyone busted up laughing again!
• A little girl (age 5) said, "Santa? Can my dad have a 'fart-rahrey'?" The dad quickly said under his breath, "A Ferrari." lol
• Girls in their "ugly sweaters" sat on Santa's lap and said, "Don't take the picture yet! I have to make sure my snowmen are straight!" and the other girl said, "And I have to make sure my ornaments are hanging straight!" 

Santa does have a thought question - Why do infants always give a little toot in my hand while waiting for their picture to be taken?

Here's another one:

"Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy!"

What?

I'm going poddy!

I quickly got her off my knee as the mom rushes over.

The mom says, "What did you say?"

"I have to go poddy."

That's not what you said.

Yes it was! (as she smiles)

One middle-aged woman said, "Santa, can I have a rich man that's going to die soon?"
I said, No!
She responded, "Can't blame a girl for trying!"

A sweet young girl said to me today:

"Santa, can I talk to you about something serious?"

Of course.

My mom is happy now, and my other dad is nice.

But my real dad - I want him to get married to Rhonda.

Is Rhonda nice? 

She's very nice and I want him to marry her. Can you make that happen?

Honey, there's some things that Santa cannot do. But I can hint and ask Cupid if he can do something. But what do you really want for Christmas?

I want both of my families to be really happy again.

That's all I want!!

On the toy front, the girls are still keeping Elsa and Anna at the head of the pack, with Barbie a distant third. Basically, ANYTHING "Frozen" is beating out Barbie hands down.

For the guys, Legos are definitely on top with Skylanders and Transformers tied for second.

It always amazes the kids when I ask them about their toy choice (like for Transformers, I ask them which one they like - Bumble Bee or Optimums Prime?) because they don't think I am that well informed about every toy out there. lol

And I always ask the girls who want something from "Frozen" if they know which character is Santa's favorite. They usually guess Elsa or Anna. And I respond, "Nope! My favorite is Sven!!!" It takes them a second...then they go "Ohhhh!"

Lastly, yesterday was the last Pet Night and we had the biggest dog that I have ever seen. It was a Mastiff named Brutus. His picture is below.

We also had St. Bernard s and at least 12 German Shepherds. (One family alone had three.)
Hope you enjoy the pics!

Your ZZ Top Santa.,

Santa Joe

Take three...plus.

Hello my friends,

Sorry I have not posted for awhile! Time goes by quite fast these days and it just got away from me....

As some of you may have heard, I was on Ellen yesterday. One of my fans sent a picture in from last year when their nephew visited me. I put the link below. Ellen does have a still of me on her site, but you really need to see the video to understand what is going on. Santa Joe is even more famous than before - if that is even possible.

http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-0xl09r2t/

Tonight was our third Pet Night. Here's a few pictures I thought you would enjoy.

Here are a couple of other photos from the past couple of days.  I hope you enjoy them.

From the ZZ Top,
Santa Joe

Take Two...

Hello,  my faithful followers -

Today was another Pet Day so we have some more photos of dogs and such. We did have a little excitement today - 2 Rottweiler's went after each other after growling and barking at each other for quite awhile. The owners were friends and the dogs knew each other (but not happily). Unfortunately, the owners refused repeated requests to separate the dogs from each other while waiting in line. Well, the two "buddies" went at it. The owners were able to get them apart, but not before one of them was injured. We had to have Security remove both the dogs and the owners from the mall. I think we need a CO2 extinguisher handy just in case this happens again. Trust Santa, one blast from that and the fight would be over!

In all my years, that was a first (and last hopefully) dispute between visiting animals. We only have 2 more Pet Days remaining for this season.

The kids have been great so far and as cute as can be! But I am a bit taken back with the number of boys who ask for "Frozen" stuff.... Today was one of those days. I questioned their requests asking, "You mean you want frozen peas and carrots?" I get the quick "NOOOO!" from the kids and a laugh from the parents! lol

I have also received a number of requests for an Elf on the Shelf. So I am looking for some additional volunteer recruits from my elves to send out before Christmas.

As a reminder, this Sunday is Sensitive Santa for kids with special needs or who just need extra time with no stimulation of any kind - low light, no music, all the shop fronts covered, and words are softly spoken. It will be held from 8-10 am, so come visit me during this time if it fits your needs.

Enjoy the pictures!

Santa Joe

Dogs and Kittens - Oh my!

Hi my friends,

I trust that you are all doing well this wonderful time of the year.

It sounds like all the Elf on the Shelf elves have arrived to their happy homes for the Christmas season. I received a report that elf Jimmy was found in the pot that holds coffee. I told the youngster that even elf's like a good cup of coffee now and then. Besides their hot chocolate, of course.

Today was the first of December and we all know what that means - Christmas is right around the corner. It was also the 1st of our four pet nights. The furry guys were very happy to see me! I included some photos of this fun night below. We had kittens, cats, pit bulls, golden labs, a black lab and a white Pomeranian.

One of the funnest things I see on a daily basis is all the effort parents, grandparents, siblings, photo staff and others go through to get some of the little kiddos to smile. They hop, clap, sing, jingle bells, toss stuffed animals in the air, and of course, everything else in between. I am pretty good at keeping my composure, but every once in awhile they make me loose it! I have often commented that I wish I had a camera pointing at the photo area because they would never believe it if they could see what they are doing. Needless to say, today was one of the days where I lost it. There were 7 people trying to get two kids to smile, and they all looked like a pack of escaped monkeys!! I just started to laugh. In fact, I laughed so hard the 7 adults started to laugh too, which made the kids laugh. :o)

Enjoy the photos and just remember to smile.

Santa Joe

I LOVE Sundays

Hey to you all!

If I've said it once, I've said it 100 times...Sundays are fun! And today was no exception. The kids are all dressed up, and usually still happy as they are coming from church.

My first kiddo was dressed is a Santa Suit and it was great! What a way to start a day!! Lastly there was a lady in a red "jokers" hat that was pretty awesome. Well, you can see the outcome on that one. Let's just way the joint was laughing really hard.

We did have a great treat today. Retired Santa, Ed Fisher, stopped by to say hello. It was great to see him again.

Today we had people from as far away as Princeton and Cambridge MN, Hudson WI, and a family from Quebec Canada come to see me.

I don't know what's with this weather pattern, but even for me its cold! The temp right now is only 4 degrees F. and the low tonight is going to be at least -4, with a windchill of -25.  I hope it warms up by Christmas eve or I might need an extra thermos of hot chocolate!

YA, funny funny,

Santa Joe

Another Black Friday goes on by (or is it B-U-Y)?

Hello my friends,

Black Friday is now behind us. If I can be so blunt, "Thank the good Lord above!" For some reason, I was asked to be available to kiddos from 9-9. An hour was added on to both ends of my shift from last year. Let's just say that the mall was PACKED with adult shoppers on a mission...with not a little one to be seen!

As it got closer to midday, the kiddos started to come out and see the big guy. It was steady, but no big rush of long lines. The kids were cute and some were really dressed up! One group was so cute - all in plaid, and another all in Santa/Elf hats (yes I even put on my hat).

Also, today is the day the "Elf on the Shelf" starts reporting to their respective homes. And they have in a BIG way. I have been getting reports from kids and their parents all day. The most popular spot for the elves is in the Christmas tree. I reminded the kiddos "no touching the elf" and that I will hear about it if they do. Man this thing is the best!!

I did receive a couple of requests for a  Birthday Elf on the Shelf.  I told the two kids I would bring it up at our after season meeting. The kids looked at me oddly, but the parents laughed.

A quick update on the toy requests. Nothing has really changed for the girls. For the guys, Legos are holding strong but transformers are chipping ahead into the lead. In the world of electronics, both sides are big into a tablet/ipod, DS games, and the Xbox thing. I have to keep reminding them a tablet to me is a pad of paper, an Ipad is a pad of paper with a toy eye glued to it, a DS game means double stamps, and the Xbox is a cardboard box with an x on it.

Am I wrong people??? lol

Here's a few pictures I'd love to share with you all:

Later my friends,

Santa Joe