Santa Shops at Walmart!

This morning I took Reese with me to the WalMart pharmacy this morning to pick up a prescription for Quincy. While we were waiting, an associate approached us and asked, "Would you like to go see Santa Claus? He is here at Walmart, in the Mens Fashion Department" (Santa in men's fashion? What happened to the childrens department? It seems to me like Santa is reaching out to the wrong demographic if he's asking for grown men to sit on his lap)

Surprisingly, Reese gets very excited about this. As you can see, in the past, she has never been a fan of Santa. Here she is at 11 months. We didn't even get a picture of her with Santa last year because she bit me when I tried to force her into his lap.

Clearly, you can see why.

But this time she was ecstatic to go see Santa, so we headed on over to Men's Fashion and started to look for him. I thought I would make it a little more fun by making it a game for Reese.

Meg: Ok Reese, Santa has white hair, and a big beard...let's go find him.
Reese: Santa!!! Santa! Mommy I see him! I SEE SANTA!
Meg: Really? (not seeing any signs of a Santa Photo area anywhere)
Reese: Right THERE Mommy! HI SANTA!
I look and see that she is pointed in the direction of the Mens Fitting Room. Ok, no way. Not my daughter, that is just too creepy. Is this some sort of scam? We've gotta get Dateline To Catch a Predator out here quick!
Then I see him.
"Santa" is not Santa at all. Reese just found some old guy with a white beard.
Reese: SANTA LOOK AT ME! HEY! SAAAANTAAAAA!
I swear she was louder than Will Ferrel in Elf when they announce Santa is coming to the department store.
This is not the first time Reese has done this. I remember her pointing to a fat, bearded guy last winter and calling him "santa" also. She also used to point out "BARBIE" ladies (you know, the bad bleach job that is usually streaky, yellow, and there is at least an inch of black roots showing? "Barbie"is usually wearing some type of metallic or animal print pants-suit?(refer to Nicki's blog if you need a better visual) ...but she was QUIET, and no one could really hear her.
Not this time.
"Santa" looked up. He heard her.

Santa: m'am, the'r havin' Sanna o'er the'r in ther frun uh ther store.

Meg: Oh, thanks Santa (OH. MY. GOSH. I HAVE GOT to get out of here.) I mean....um, thanks. Come on Reese, let's go see Santa!
Reese: but....mommy... he's right over th.....(her mouth is muffled by a sucker. Why didn't i think of that before?)


So we found the "real" Santa and after about 20 minutes of coaxing and a candy cane bribe, she finally sat on his lap for a picture. No smile though. Reese is on to you Santa.


This experience reminded me of a time when I was about 9 or 10. My Dad took me grocery shopping with him a few weeks before Halloween. I remember him telling me that since it was getting close to Halloween, I needed to look out for witches in disguise shopping in the aisles, and to get out of their way. He pointed out a lady with a HUGE wart right on the tip of her nose and immediately I knew what he meant. A few minutes later we ran into a lady that lived around the corner (Mark, Melinda, HolleeAnn, Amy, Kristie and Scott--you guys know who I'm talking about...the 3rd street witch that) that we all believed actually WAS a witch.
My Dad and I spent the rest of our shopping trip pointing out potential "witches" (basically, all the crooked nose, large chinned, or wart covered old ladies in Nob Hill...there were several.)
I wonder if my dad even remembers this....he was probably just trying to keep me entertained, but now every year when I go to the grocery store around Halloween, I can't help but notice all the "witches" out shopping too.

Ok, back to my point. I've never noticed just how many white haired bearded "Santas" there are, but after this morning, I don't think I'll ever shop during the holiday season without noticing them! I tried to track down our original "Santa" but we couldn't find him. Well...we didn't have to walk far to find another substitute!

Helloooo...Santa!



Here we have Biker Santa.
He even shook his belly like a bowl full of jelly as he sifted through his pockets for his wallet. Don't know why it was so hard for him to find since it was attached to a chain and all.


This "santa" tried to "blend" into the massive hunting crowd today. There were DOZENS of families cloaked in camouflage (another post. trust me) loading up on ammo and tree stands.
He had also pulled his lovely long curly locks into a ponytail in the back.
Don't try to disguise yourself, Santa. We know it's you, even without the red coat.


Retired Santa...looks like he traded in his sleigh for a rascal scooter.


It took several attempts to snap a shot of this Santa, I think he was wise to my game. If you can, click on the photo to enlarge it and perhaps you'll get a better look at Overalls Santa behind him. I'd swear that guy was the real deal.


Don't even bother, buddy. This is Arkansas. People here have been working on their mullets for years. That sorry excuse for a goatee isn't going to get you anywhere unless you grow the hair out too. Come back in a few years.


And my personal favorite...

I call this one, Santa training Santa.

Ho Ho Ho! Spot any Santa's in your local Walmart lately?
I think we might revisit this post at it gets closer to Christmas.