Even a Grinch's Heart Can be Melted

The other day Julie told me about a visit Chloe made to the Santa at the mall. Apparently Chloe was too scared to sit on Santa's lap, and I immediately thought about that scene from A Christmas Story where Ralphy visits the mall Santa and gets kicked down the slide with Santa's big boot (you'll shoot your eye out kid). For those who haven't seen it, it's a classic.

Anyhow, while Chloe wasn't in the mood to sit on the big guy's lap, she was brave enough to tell Santa very quietly that she wants a new baby for Christmas (she means another doll). As she and Mom left the tinsel and cotton snow behind, Chloe turned to Mommy, quite concerned and a little sad and said, "Mommy, Santa didn't hear me ask for a new baby. My get a new baby for Christmas?"

Well, what can I say? It was the sweetest thing in the world knowing my little girl is being taken in by the magic, and it's melted this Grinch's heart  more than a little. We'll see how I feel when she starts asking for a cell phone.

But until then, I'll admit old Saint Nick has still got some charm.