Last night was Santa's last night at the Lights on the Lake, for tonight he's a bit busy.  Now, I don't know if it was because it was Sunday, or if it was 24 hours until Christmas Eve or what got into the air, but the children were all little angels last night.  Some pretty funny for instances occured while in the sleigh last evening. 

     One little girl bellowed, "SANTA, YOU FORGOT MY GUITAR!' about 6 times until she finally made it up on my lap. I said, " it's not Christmas yet", she looked at me bewildered and then looked at her mom, and then me again and said, "oh yeah, you're right" with the blankest stare I have ever seen.  Then she hopped on down and left.

     I used my power of observation last night to really sparkle the Christmas magic, and I may have sprinkled too much.  For many a lot questioned me 'how did you know?', or ' who's under the beard' and just wouldn't 'buy' the whole 'believe' thing.  Over half of the kids must've had a reality check speech by their parents.  When I asked if there were any additions or changes to their lists, a huge bunch of them told me that it's okay if they didn't get the IPods, and XBoxes and the PSPs and Wiis, and would just be tickled to be surprised. 

      A large amount of classics were requested at the last minute like doll babies, sports equipment and toy action figures.  I really started believing in Santa Claus last night.  At leat 12 of the regular and potential 'cryers and screamers', finally excepted Ho Ho as one of the good guys, and 'he's pudgy like Grampappy', and gave into sitting with me on the sled.  As the 100s of cars resembling the end credits of the movie THE FIELD OF DREAMs, wrapped thoughout the parking lots, there was actually a peaceful, easy feeling last night, as I played the man in the red suit. 

"I feel the greatest gift we can give to anybody is the gift of our honest self." Fred Rogers

Here's a fun exhibit of popular toys from the 20th century from Eaton's, a large Canadian department store. This exhibit is courtesy of the Archives of Ontario.

As someone who's worked with kids in numerous capacities over the last 9-10 years, nothing in your post surprises me one bit...the same thing happened when I helped Santa last year...and it's part of the real reason I'm not doing it this year.  Greed and a sense of entitlement has taken over so many people in this day and age.  Not to get on a soapbox, but let me tell you why I think the problem is so prevalent these days...

I don't know when it started, but for some reason, people started feeling the need to give rewards and prizes for everything a kid does.  Johnny makes his bed, reward him...he gets an "A" on a test, buy him something else.  Kids get rewarded for things they're supposed to do anyways.  They get no sense of satisfaction of doing things on their own.  They're handed everything they want.  Heck, kids get trophies now "just for participating."  Where's the justice in that?  Sorry folks, in life there are winners and losers...that's how it is.  No trophy in the world will make the loser a winner, just a whiner who thinks they're entitled to something they're not.  Winners have to earn things, and let's face it, it's easier to sit back and get handed things than earn them, but adults enable it.

Think back to when you were a kid, or even now.  How many times did your parents say "I want my child to have a better life than I did."  Great statement, but so many people, especially those my age heard that as "I want my child to have more STUFF than I had."  Funny, the same parents with that train of thought are still boarding at the station.  Everyone wants a kid, but no one wants to spend time with them.  So, dvd's, video games, and tv's become the babysitter because parents don't want bothered with what it actually takes to raise a child.  How many times have you been in Wal-Mart or any other department store and heard a kid throwing a fit because they wanted something, and mom or dad completely gave in, just to quiet the kid down.  Kids then learn "hey, this is the way to get stuff."  That's about all the psychology there is to it, and moms and dads everywhere fall right into the trap.  Many times, parents don't want to be parents, they just want their kid to like them.  So they buy them anything they want.  Or, they feel guilty about the small amount of time they spend with their kids, so to make up for it, possessions become a substitute for their love, and a way for the parents to not feel guilty about not spending time with their kids.

I'm not going to ramble on anymore, but I think you can get the picture.  We've created this entitlement phenomenon.

Cousin Mike