Sunday, November 26, 2017

Santaland Diary 2017

Rus Bockin  November 9th, 2017

 A woman ushering 5 kids around, all in their holiday "picture clothes" was one of the first groups in line. They must have been in the mall awhile, as the kids were in various states of mind. One crying, two with strong fidgeting tendencies and the others just looked tired. Not the best sitting, but we made do.

 And then, she added two more kids to the mix!

Two women, somewhere in there late twenties showed up today, herding a group of 8 kids. This group , like many others was just a bunch of high energy kids.
After a couple of initial shots, while the Big Guy was chatting with the kids, I turned to one of the one of the women to ask what the make up of the group was - siblings, cousins friends?
The kids in ages from 6 to about 13.
She replied 
said those two are mine. We are fostering the rest.

 All I could say is thanks for making these kids life better.

What happened today:
A family with six kids 12 and under.
Eight MATURE Indian women giggling like school girls while taking photos with Santa.
New Elves - Icey and Twinkles( always interesting).
A group of women from Iceland, one taking a photo with Santa to " show her husband". Regulations don;t allow for a photo, but she really liked Santa!
Camera issues!!!!
And then.......................
And then when I get home, I find out 3 people were seriously injured in attack in one of the MOA anchor stores toward the end of our business day.
Please excuse me, but WTF is going on?

In the daily flow of kids through Santaland we get a huge
range of ages.
This year, we had a "mature" and very spry woman of 90,
and a WWII vet, well in that range but who didn't give an 
exact number of years.
The youngest visited yesterday with her big brother about
three o'clock..
When asked about her age, her Dad chimed that she was
1 week, looked at his watch and said "and two hours".

On the age thing, unless someone has a surprise in the line, 2 days old on the young end will be a tough one to beat,
The 97 year old WWII veteran will stand for a while as well.

Recently, I finished reading a compilation of James Herriot 's stories about a country veterinarian in rural England back in the 1940's and 50's.
Brought back memories from the Wheels and Boards days
in Green Bay, with Wisconsin public radio's "Chapter a Day" program covering his books playing in the background.
Some of the stories include recounting this Veterinarian taking his young children on rounds in the daily routine of his practice in the English countryside.
Fast forward to the young boy of about 4 sitting with Santa yesterday.
I tend to hang back a few feet while Santa is getting the "important" gift wishes from his guest, checking on how
things are school and such.
I saw Santa's face turn a bit perplexed, eyebrow raised on one side and the grin he was trying to contain. After all, all requests are from the heart of the child and are taken very seriously.
While this was going on, I chatted with the parents finding out they were a country family from out state Minnesota. They knew what the little boy was asking Santa for, and were working with neighbors to secure it, a bit of a timing thing.
In all the Santa request's in his history, never had anyone ask him before for a sheep, a real live sheep........
"with a baby in it's belly".
Dr. Herriot would have been proud of this lad!
Side note: This little guy needs your thoughts and wishes as he is headed for another( the 5th) medical procedure to determine what is causing his health issues. which has even the doctors at Mayo Clinic perplexed.


When I hit the Santaland set I have a bit of a routine.
I turn on the photo lights, grab the sweeper and tidy up a bit and then take a walk around the outside of the space. Not sure what I am looking for, just checking to make certain things are in order.
Yesterday("Black Friday") was no different. I was on my walk around the set, sizing up the line waiting to see the big guy. There was a group of people, all in the same t shirts with a family holiday theme. I inquired with one of the adults in the group if they were heading into the set for photos, and I identified myself as the photographer. He directed me to the patriarch of the group.
"We have seventeen for pictures". "Our group for next year will be 29 people". Youngest was about 6 and, along with the patriarch was "Grandma" in a wheel chair , wearing a surgical mask.
WOW.
In four years of taking photos with Santa, the largest group was about 12 as I recall.
I talked to the folks behind this group, explaining that it would be a bit of a delay as we captured all the photos. Assuring them that they would get plenty of time with Santa, they seemed appreciative of the alert.
One of our favorite "elves", Egg Nog (aka James) was on the set. A pro elf if ever there was one. I gave him the low down, so he was able to answer the questions of why the line might be moving so slowly.
The photo shoot went well, and one man took charge of arranging the various groups of family members. I shot over 100 images. Every shot had Grandma and Grandpa in them, sitting in the big chair, flanking Santa..
All the family had moved toward the retail part of the set, and I saw "Grandma", waiting for here chair, talking with Santa.
With her safely in her chair, and wheeled out. We took a breath to compose ourselves before the next group came in.
"Are you ready?" I asked Santa.
"Just wanted you to know that Grandma whispered to me she is hoping she will be with the family for next years photos".
Catch your breath.
Compose yourself and say " Come on in " to the next in line waiting to share there holiday wishes .


The subtle actions Santa takes with each child never cease to amaze me. Changing gears on each new face he encounters, whether boisterous and silly, or more quiet and subdued.
Case in point, we were chatting during a lull in the the action on the set yesterday. Santa commented that he was encountering many more children with medical devices on their bodies coming to visit.
There were at least three kids that had tubing running their clothing yesterday, and one young guy with a backpack his mother said was his feeding system the day before.
Santa mentioned that he pays particular attention to these devices and their routing, as "you never know what is flowing through them".
The photos will not show any difference, and I have never really noticed either. His attempt to create a bit of magic for child is noteworthy. Communicative or not.
The fact that medicine today can mainstream a child, one who may have had to be secluded away, tethered to a host of bulky machines is a testament to this. Every youngster deserves to be treated to the experiences of being a kid.
And then yesterday....................
One of our first families into the set had two children, an infant and his older sister. The girl climbed into the chair, and her dad gently placed the little boy into Santa's trusting hands.
The mother spoke to me, and the little girl to Santa about the this child, and why he was wearing a surgical mask. Santa and I caught each others eyes and both realized that we had to hold it together to get through this one.
While the family had come to grips with this scenario, we had to process it all in short order.
You see, this tiny body was a survivor.
At 40 days old, he had received a BMT(Bone Marrow Transplant), and this was his 67th day of life following the procedure - this little guy was all of 107 days old, and been through more than most of us are fortunate enough to not see in a lifetime.
Oh yes, the Mom said this guy was getting stronger, and the fact that he was in such a public place gave insight into the transplant being a success.
Normally, the next visitor allows us a refocus, although I believe that Santa needed a bit longer to get back into the groove after this tiny visitor and his big sister.
I know it took me awhile.



December 4th, 2017
Some kids are just jerks!
There I said it.
We had two boys about 11 and 13 come into the set recently.
As he does, Santa assesses his approach in a few seconds, and usually leads with the universal "high five".
The older boy lead off with a full swing at the open hand, missed and the younger one tried the same.
Santa able to pull back just in time in both cases.
The boys jumped into the chair and began verbally challenging
Santa on a variety of things that should be the fun part of a
"Visit with Santa" experience.
Santa bantering back and forth with them for a bit, trying to
build some rapport and get some type of positive interaction started.
They were stepping on each others verbal blasts to see who could
ask the most stupid (in my opinion) questions while being the
loudest at the same time. I could see the older boy moving his face
closer and closer to the big guy, Santa retreating his.
The tension was building.
Santa, ever the professional, continued to ask the appropriate questions
as he does of every kid. Then the older boy was asked what he wanted
for Christmas.
His retort -- "EVERYTHING" , loud enough to be heard throughout the set.
Immediately, Santa turned to the younger of the two, with the same
question. While I didn't hear this answer, Santa abruptly finished the conversation this pair and said to them -
"I'll see what I can do".
Handed them a magic coin, and brushed them off the set, clearly a bit
agitated by this whole encounter. A sour look and raised eyebrow
spoke volumes.
My assumption would be that most parents would have been mortified
by their children's behavior, I know my wife and I would have.
Not in this instance. The parents of these two "children" were standing
behind me, laughing(loudly and continuously)and thoroughly enjoying
their kids schtick.
It seems they really got nothing( other than their parents approval) out
of this episode, while showing their lack of respect of an another.
We certainly didn't.
Really, why bother queuing in line for 45 minutes for that kind of
performance?
"Next in line"..........
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Santaland Diary 2016

Santa's back story -
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/seasonal-jobs-need-a-job-the-north-pole-wants-you_n_2117194.html

A little reminder from"my" Santa as we work very hard to capture the moment and bring a smile to every visitor.
Parents:
Remember Christmas time when you were young
The magic and wonder
Christmas wishes & Dreams
Santa




A girl celebrating her 7th birthday came to visit Santa on Saturday. When she approached the big guy's chair, we could see she was ready to cry. Not from being afraid.
She was devastated that our "Naughty / Niice" machine had pegged her as the former. Had the machine malfunctioned
or had she misinterpreted the indicator?
Really doesn't matter, she was crushed.
With the line growing, Santa took her to his lap and proceeded to sooth the hurt. Watching this unfold was truly the magic of this man. Soon she was smiling and carrying on as many her age would.
After the final warm hug, we had her test the machine - TWICE. Both times the indicator pegged the "Nice" - as it should be.
As we approach the the hustle and bustle of the season, keep in mind how important our words are( and the actions of this this silly machine) and that the magic Christmas brings to a child be easily tarnished.

Another special visitor to our set on Friday.
A family of seven wanted a photo with the "Big Guy". No problem, we do it all the time. The final person to be seated was a mature man. He was moving rather slowly, navigating into position with measured energy. His face showing that he was someone who had been through a lot in his life.
After the photos, I offered my hand to help him get up from the seat. As he had been referred to as "the old man" by one in his party, I felt I could ask him his age, thinking he was the grandfather or perhaps even the great-grandfather.
I was astonished to hear that he was but 60 years old (only a couple years older than I). He then said, as he waved his hand across his chest, that he had recently received a new heart.
A true survivor!
I was proud to share with him that my brother Ron was a donor and how his lungs had saved a mans life. He grasped my hand and shook it with the strength he could.
All he said is "thanks", but his eyes said much more.
A tear came to my eye as they left the set, I whispered to Santa about our visitor and he returned that special look when something moves him as well.
5 seconds later, two high energy, rambunctious kids piled onto Santa's lap and we were back into the typical happenings of what we do.


So, we don’t always get it right……………….
On Saturday a girl of 9 or 10 walked up to the Big Guy’s chair. Over my shoulder were Grandparents with a little boy of 3 or 4 years.
As is often the case, one sibling marches right up to speak with Santa and one, a bit more skiddish hangs back. After getting some photos, and the girl relaying her list of Christmas wishes, I walked up and asked if she were comfortable perhaps holding her brother in some photos.
She immediately responded that she could do it.
I turned to the grandparents in the line as asked if the boy would be comfortable sitting on the girls lap for photos.
They seemed a bit confused, but I am , after all, the “professional photographer(sic)”, know what I am doing(?) and always looking for the best shot possible to capture holiday memories.
The grandfather said that the “ little boy liked girls, and that sitting there would be fine”.I assumed that "girls" in this case meant sitting with the one in the chair, his "sister" as well.
I took the boy’s hand and walked him up to the chair, and he promptly crawled onto the girls lap.
After I snapped a few pictures of the pair, the girl gently whispered to Santa that this wasn’t her brother and that she had no idea who he was.
Ooops!
Santa got that look, could barely contain himself and motioned me over to explain the situation.
The girl had been sent in alone, her parent’s and family had come in through the exit side of the set and were waiting for her there.
The grandparents with the little boy were simply behind the girl in the queue.
A few apologies to all involved, a good laugh for us as and onto the next in line.




A beautiful family of 8 came to visit Santa on Thursday. To see such a large family today is a bit unusual, but it isn’t all that extraordinary.
This family is an exception and was extraordinary.
Six kids, all girls and a very special mom and dad. 
No, mom and dad weren’t “special” in the sense of special needs, they were just special.
While mom was wrangling the girls as they were interacting with Santa, I struck up a conversation with the dad about his family.
“You won’t get a smile from her” he said pointing to one..
“ And that one probably won’t look at you either”, pointing the girl sitting in the big chair.
All things I have heard many times, and try to use some tricks of the ”Santa photo” trade to gather all eyes in one direction at the same time.
Meanwhile, I noticed the Mom was using sign language to communicate with one of the girls .
When I inquired about the ages of the girls, dad replied “those four are all fourteen.”
Note: they weren’t quadruplets.
“That one is ten and this one (pointing to a girl sitting on the floor) is nine and a half”.
Can you see where this is going yet?
“Are you foster parents “ I inquired of the dad?
Motioning he hand through the group “No, those five are adopted and the one on the floor is our natural child”,
he responded..
This beautiful family was a blended family of 6 Down’s Syndrome girls.
Their “natural child” was the most physically and severely affected by the Downs.
I moved the camera to my left hand, and put out my right to shake his.
Not normally a loss for words, all I could come up with to say was “thanks for bringing them to see us”.
Very special parents with a beautiful family, indeed!


Bells take on some special traits during the holiday season.
There are the Salvation Army's bells, "Silver Bells" and, of course the bell that rings to signal that school is out for the winter break and the holidays therein.
We use bells to draw the attention of youngsters, attempting to get a good photo with Santa.
Sometimes they work and other times....well, not so much.
On Friday evening, the bells became the signal for some very special happenings. It was the signal call to action, initiating all manner of things to begin.
A mom and three daughters made it a point to be our last guests for the evening. After snapping a few photos, faking some equipment issues, I asked the group for a silly photo. They were very compliant, as it was a fun, girls night out for the holidays type of event. I grabbed the bells, as a ruse to enhance the "silliness" of the image.
Shaking the bells things started to happen.
The mother and two of the daughters jumped from Santa's chair, Santa got up and moved to my side. Kelsey, the young woman left in the chair was thoroughly confused.
All the folks who had been milling about the gallery above the set came to the railing and Aaron, a dapper young man in a black suit and red tie emerged from between some trees on the set.
Dropping to a knee and reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small box, opened it and asked for Kelsey's hand in marriage.
Kelsey was shaking as he placed the ring on her hand, the stunned look continued as she looked above to see almost 100 people clapping and cheering them on.
After settling down a bit and a long embrace, Kelsey, standing in the middle of the set, looked up to the gathered friends and family hesitating for only a moment, replied with a resounding "YES".
Congratulations to Kelsey and Aaron (we know nothing else of them) as one of the true highlights from this holiday season of photos with Santa.
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