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

Santa is correct again...Humbly of course.

Hi all,

Being the very humble and shy person that Santa is, I am pleased to announce that I was proved correct again! (I know the list is long...but I will just pick one example.)

According to the national news on Tuesday, Barbie - who has been on the top of the list in the doll world for the past 35 years - has been dethroned this year by Elsa from Frozen.

Santa had a young friend hand him his wish list and letter. I was quite surprised that one of his wishes was for me to not get "frostbutt" as I deliver my load of goodies. Of course I did not laugh when I read this, but I sure did later!! lol

As you can guess I take a lot of photos, and this year is no exception. But every once in awhile we get the fun requests for poses. Like we are all sleeping (well, most of us anyway), weird faces, or bunny ears. Yesterday we did a few of them. Here's a sleeping one below:

Please  enjoy the cuties below, including the one with Olaf!

Keep the faith,

Santa Joe

Santa's Okay!

Howdy!

Some of you may have noticed that pictures of me look different from day to day. World Wide Photography and the Mall decided that I need to try wearing my glasses at different positions - from close to my face down to the end of my nose. They say that they can see my eyes better with the glasses near the end of my nose.

Happily, I can tell you that the test is over. After quite a few attempts of trying to not have my end-of-the-nose glasses appear as thick "coke" glasses (the lenses are very thin), my spectacles are back in their "up-right" position near my face.

I saw a lot of babies and twins today...and one set of infant triplets. How fun! I had a little boy ask if the Elf on a Shelf is real and really tells Santa if he and his siblings have been good or bad. I said, "Of course!" and asked him, "Why did your elf show up early?" He said, "It always comes just before Thanksgiving." So as a quick thinker, I said that only the very special elves come out early, because usually they do not come out until after Thanksgiving. The boy was shocked that he had a special elf! (And the parents looked relieved.) lol

I have started to get a few requests for Barbie, but Elsa is still waaaaay in the lead. I think for the first time, Barbie will not be the "top dog" this year in most sales.

One thing that always seems to strike Santa funny, is when a young kid gets animated when they ask Santa items for Christmas. Their though process is faster than their speech, and their hand gestures are out of sync also. It's very hard for Santa not to laugh. It's sooooo amusing to see and watch!

.I have to say Mrs. Claus is a big hit again this year.  She has a calming affect on the kids (the whole grandma thing).  Plus she keeps things flowing well. Well, enough about the Mrs..

A couple of you have asked if I know where my fans are coming from this year.  I usually ask if something stands out.  But this is what I have thus far, Jamaica, Canada, Greece, and India.

Please enjoy the following pictures from the last couple of days.

Talk with you tomorrow,

Santa Joe

The Line Forms in the Rear

Howdy!

The weather has risen above freezing and people have come out of hibernation to see me. Even though people have been lined up today to see me, everyone keeps commenting, "I can't believe you're here sooo early!"  I tell them I have been here for a week already, and they looked surprised.?  (Hmmm, you don't know I'm here, but your still in line???)

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and Christmas shopping is in full force. Snowmobiles, motorcycles and a Porsche have already been requested by some adults. My standard answer is, "You have a pretty good chance if I can get it down the chimney!"

Here are some cute pictures of children with their stuffed toy elves.

And here's the annual picture of the first screaming child on my lap.

Enjoy these few glimpses into today's visitors.

This year I have brought two special pocket watches with me. When opened up, they play either "Jingle Bells" or "I've Been Working on the Railroad" depending on whether it's the watch with the revolving sleigh and ice skaters or the revolving trains. The children seem to prefer the trains, but both watches are a big hit and have a calming affect on the children who are a little nervous visiting Santa.

Signing out until next time,

Santa

There's a Reason Santa Only Does Toys...

Hello everyone!

I am truly sorry I have not blogged for the past two days. Santa has been having computer problems and it took a little while for the elves to fix it - which included sending it in for the repair. My computer is now working wonderfully again!

In one of the photos below, you will see a youth group of Jr. High girls who wanted to visit me. The girl on my right knee had a rather poofy ponytail. As we were getting situated for the picture, she kept looking around...and guess what Santa kept getting smacked in the face with? It got to be rather funny - me dodging the flying ponytail. lol Luckily, she held still long enough for the picture.

Also below you will see me standing with a couple of our Country's finest. After the picture was taken, I have been asked many times why I stood for the picture? Two reasons - 1) out of deep respect for their service, and 2) they would never sit on Santa's lap anyways while in uniform. That's why Santa always stands for members of the service.

If you are wondering - Yes, Santa can take operate a camera too. Here's a picture of some friends with their grandson that I took. The picture looks perfect!

The very first photo of the day yesterday was of the little tyke in the green stripes.  I think I have a new fan. What a great way to start the day!

I was asked an interesting question today. :-) She asked that when she brings her two black labs in for Pet Night, if it would be okay if I would NOT be in the picture, but that the picture would be just her alone with her dogs. After a little chuckle, I told her yes, and that she could even sit in the Big Guy's chair. She is very excited!

The day after Thanksgiving is when the Elves on the Shelf arrive! They are very excited to come to all of your homes. Remember, not to touch them!

Looking forward to a fun weekend!

Santa Joe

I Don't Want to See the Easter Bunny!

A little boy was waiting in line with his dad and just sobbing.
I'm thinking to myself, he's not even near me yet! Poor guy!

The dad is gesturing for me to come over, so I cautiously walk over.
When I get there, the boy says to his dad, "I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE EASTER BUNNY!!"

Surprised, and trying not to laugh, I reply, "I'm not the Easter Bunny. I'm Santa!" and give him a big Santa smile.

The boy paused...filled his lungs to the max...then screamed even louder!
The dad said, "Oh, I give up!" and took him home.  How is that for a Santa moment?

Today ended up being pretty slow as children are still in school. I saw a total of 7 kiddos and a few of their pictures are below.

Oh, and here's the picture of the mall security staff that was taken at the very end of the shift yesterday. Enjoy!

I told you it was a light day.  :)  Also I know the clocks are wrong above my head, but I don't have "time" to get up there to fix them.  Maybe one of my helpers can get it done tomorrow?


Many pleasant Santa thoughts.

Santa Joe

Welcome Back to this Fabulous Time of Year with Santa and the Children!

The requests have started!

The most popular items right out of the starting gate for BOYS include (and I quote):

• Gy-nor-mous dump trucks, bulldozers and fire trucks
• remote control cars and helicopters
• Lego sets
• Batman and Spiderman Action figures

For the GIRLS it's:

• Elsa castle
• Elsa doll
• Elsa ice skates
• Elsa dress up clothes
• any other things Elsa!

Hmmm, I wonder what Barbie's doing these days?

Yesterday - my first day - was a steady line of children for the whole day. It was really fun to hear their giggles and see their big smiles.

Today was more family groups that came to visit. The very last group of the day was 16 mall security people who had their picture taken together. Very fun!

Mrs. Claus is a big hit with the families and the kids again this year! Too bad she is not working every day until near the end of the season.

The winner for coming the longest distance to see me today, was one of the families pictured above who live in Jamaica!

A Santa shout out to Yuasa Japan. Yes, it is very cold here. The temperature overnight tonight will be -14 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 degrees Celsius). Brrrrrr!

Warm Santa Thoughts!
Santa Joe