um yeah, fail.

Posted on | December 13, 2010 | 53 Comments

they heard me.

whoever runs the santa ship of magic heard me. they heard me hope that my kid would love (or even remotely like) the big guy this year and they made sure i ate my words. hard.

last year was a fail, so i hoped this year she’d lighten up (lighten up about sitting on an old random strangers lap? ha. haha. HAHAHAHA. imbecile). we went to a different santa, one that many of my friends with kids have sung the praises of. we went with our friends Holly and Doug, and their 3 year old, Nora (all of whom Harper is obsessed with – especially Doug…) in hopes that she’d see Nora happily hanging with st. nick and see how rad it was. that may have actually happened if we didn’t have to wait for nearly 2 hours to see him.

but i doubt it.

i doubt anything but aging another 2 years or more could have helped this sitch. to put it lightly, she thought it was sodumb. really dumb. for reals.

it’s ok. you can laugh. i am. i wasn’t yesterday, but i am now. how can you not? it’s epic. epicly sad, hilarious, disappointing and after looking at it for a minute…CREEPY.

i will say i was supremely disappointed with the whole ordeal. i watched the photog, santa and his team of elves try and make every other kid laugh, stop crying hysterically, and get a good photo trying many avenues – a light up wand, throwing elmo in the air, snuggling with a teddy bear, reading a book, everything. they didn’t attempt jack crap with my kid. nothing. i’d love to say i’d go back there but i doubt it. i’m that irritated with how they handled her – which was not at all.i can only assume someone told them i’m a blogger and they played this joke on me to give me some material.

after all was said and done, and we got our sheet of photos (no way in the north pole i was paying for a CD of 6 photos of my child clawing to get away), Harper pointed at him and said “SANTA!”.

well played, kid.

you win again. you always do. (goulet!)

edited: link up your bad, good, amazing or hilarious santa photo posts below!

Category: family, friends, funny mom stuff, grr, nugget, SUCKAGE, the haps

Comments

  • monique

    lmao!

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  • http://toriebartee.wordpress.com torie

    Oh no…but kind of funny :) You need to submit that to Ellen or something.
    torie´s last [type] ..Steppin’ Out 12-10

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  • http://efloraross.com Elizabeth Flora Ross

    That is a classic! We have one of SB just like it. 2 years in a row now she has hated Santa. Sooner or later, the kid’s going to have to turn around, right? ;)

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  • http://theheirtoblair.com Blair@HeirtoBlair

    THIS IS THE BEST SANTA PICTURE, LIKE, EVAH.

    I needed this today.
    Blair@HeirtoBlair´s last [type] ..Holiday Tour of Homes- 2010 edition

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  • http://justonemoretrip.blogspot.com becca

    i tried so hard not to laugh… but i did. but only after i said, “aw, poor harper!” to myself first. promise. we’ve yet to go to santa. i’m scared.
    becca´s last [type] ..a first for hugs &amp kisses designs

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  • http://toniandryan.blogspot.com Toni

    Poor H! I do find these pictures hilarious, but I do not find the staff funny for not trying to make her laugh! And who does Santa think he is saying “shhh”?
    Toni´s last [type] ..Steppin Out Saturday

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  • http://babyinbrooklyn.wordpress.com/ babyinbrooklyn

    We had an almost identical experience with our lil lady! She was fine, almost, excited on the line, then we got up to Santa and…not so much. her face was almost identical to Harper’s. Except I didn’t buy the pictures because the cheapest were $20 for 2 5×7′s.
    babyinbrooklyn´s last [type] ..Wordless- Shopping in Midtown Kinda Festive Actually

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  • http://www.makingsomethinggood.blogspot.com LIZ

    we’re going to see the jolly guy on saturday… i fully expect a like-wise epic fail…

    in other news, she’s really really cute, even screaming…
    LIZ´s last [type] ..happy 15 month birthday- ethan!!!

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  • http://sluiternation.com Katie

    this makes me feel so bad about my creepy ass santa and my screaming child. I am going to post it on Wednesday. Someone should host a dang link up so we can see everyone’s kids with Santa…maybe there are more criers out there than just our kids!
    Katie´s last [type] ..It’s the Simple Things…

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  • http://sluiternation.com Katie

    ok i meant it makes me feel NOT so bad. NOT.

    sigh.

    damn monday.
    Katie´s last [type] ..It’s the Simple Things…

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  • http://nicoolmama.blogspot.com Nicole Drysdale-Rickman

    Oh for cute!!!

    I know you are devastated but seriously…you will look back on this and think it is adorable…once the memory of waiting for 2 hours in line for a screaming picture fades…

    I love your Harper…she is a doll face…must get it from her Mama. ;)
    Nicole Drysdale-Rickman´s last [type] ..My Cup Overfloweth

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  • http://www.abettermagmom.blogspot.com Sarah

    Oh geez, I didn’t want to laugh, because I’m sure that will be us in 2 years, but honestly couldn’t help it. I second the notion to send it to Ellen. And in the end, it will be a really funny memory to look back on…in 5 years!
    Sarah´s last [type] ..Warm Fuzzy PJs

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  • http://eliotsnest.blogspot.com Ellen

    Aww, that is truly epic. It’s amazing with kids how things can be so very sad, and yet so very funny.
    Ellen´s last [type] ..My two favorite people

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  • http://beholdlo.blogspot.com Lo

    oh my goodness, are you kidding me? put this in the vault. somewhere down the road, this is going to be so much better than any nice, cute picture you could have gotten of her with the jolly guy. absolutely priceless.
    Lo´s last [type] ..steppin out saturday tacky christmas edition

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  • Ericka @ Creative Liar

    Oh my best expression ever!

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  • http://mom-nom.com Tiffany @ MomNom

    I have a shockingly similar picture of me as a child, just like this. And guess what? It’s my favorite picture ever. Framed in my own home every holiday season. She will love it someday, I promise.
    Tiffany @ MomNom´s last [type] ..Ergo Baby…slip a carrier under the tree…for me

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  • Christy

    OMG…That’s the best ‘kid with Santa pic’ I’ve ever seen! You have yourself a hilarious, adorable, totally note-worthy memory captured on film here. Way more memorable than everyone else’s basic Santa photo!
    My daughter’s 1-year pictures look much the same. Tears, red face, totally pissed off. I ordered the photos just as if they were “perfect” because hell, that’s who she was at the moment!

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  • http://lishyloo.etsy.com lynxymama @ blogspot

    classic, and real. truman won’t go near the big guy without me.
    lynxymama @ blogspot´s last [type] ..Danny Kaye&39s Story Book 1960

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  • http://www.aPearantlysew.blogspot.com Alison

    Seriously, best Santa picture ever! I’m only laughing because I’ve been there. First year I took my now 3 yr. old to see Santa, I ended up sitting my big fat 7 mo. pregnant self on his lap along with my then 15 mo. old crying child. Yep, that pictures a keeper :)
    Alison´s last [type] ..Im Dreaming of a White Christmas

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  • http://www.jereandallyson.blogspot.com Allyson

    Awww, I think that picture is freaking AWESOME! No really. I have a set of three in a row with the very same thing happening. Screaming, crying kid. Won’t lie, I think the crying kids on Santas lap pictures are so great! But, i really like your Santa, he looks great and him shushing is hysterical. Sorry you were irritated and it was frustrating, I would be too if i had to wait ANYWHERE for 2 hours. But in the end, I promise you’ll look at that picture for years to come and love the classicness of it.

    Now, I’m hoping that my 2 year old boy won’t cry so much this year, but I KNOW he will. Godo thing my 3 year old is over it and happy to see Santa.
    Allyson´s last [type] ..The Card

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  • http://www.blendedsosplendid.blogspot.com Hesper

    We are heading to see Santa later this week, but we did take our Christmas card picture this week. But I feel your pain… let me put it this way, the card is going to say something like… “4 out of 5 Hubert’s want to wish you a Merry Christmas!”
    Hesper´s last [type] ..Whats the Dealio!

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  • http://www.madeofsoy.blogspot.com Tiffany

    I love this. Seriously love.

    Sorry you had a rough go of it yesterday. The hubs won’t even let me attempt taking her to see Santa.

    Fun leech.
    Tiffany´s last [type] ..Did we Step Out

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  • http://www.adayinmollywood.com molly

    Hahaha, yep, that’s about what we got last year. Hence the NOT GOING this year ;)

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  • http://www.pyjammy.com pam

    are you kidding? this is perfect!

    maybe next year, she’ll stare, stonily, at the camera. sigh.
    pam´s last [type] ..Weekend recap

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  • http://summersleep.tumblr.com Zee

    Aww. :)

    Have you seen Melissa’s santa post on Everly? xD i read hers not 5 minutes before i came and checked your blog. so epic and cuuute!
    Zee´s last [type] ..365ofawesome-013-365- PWNED by ZeebugMy brother killed a

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  • http://fishesplusfry.blogspot.com/ Mama Fisch

    I refuse to take my 14 month old. I just can’t stomach how awful it will probably be so I decided at least one more year so I can stomach this. But the picture is TO DIE FOR. What a great memory…
    Mama Fisch´s last [type] ..Thankful on Thursday

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  • http://www.minimalmom.net cambria

    I love that Santa is shushing with his finger. These are the best kind of pictures – I say enjoy it!

    But I totally get not wanting your kid to cry, which is probably why I haven’t ventured out yet. This week, this week.

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  • http://www.hayleysays.com Hayleysays

    I’m sorry. I tried not to laugh. I totally wouldn’t have laughed if that was my kid. But this reaffirms that I will not be attempting the Santa picture for a ling time. That & the fact that somewhere my mom has a picture of a 4 year old me standing on the steps WAY away from Santa looking miserable while my brother sat happily in his lap.

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  • http://www.thepapermama.com The Paper Mama – Chelsey

    Oh, sad/funny! I think it’s a great photo… but, I wasn’t there. :D
    The Paper Mama – Chelsey´s last [type] ..This is why

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  • http://ohbabyitsababy.blogspot.com melissa

    hilarious. not sure what’s funnier, her clawing to get away or santa’s creepy “shh” face…

    this happened to me as a child. the first time i screamed. the 2nd time my parents waited until the mall was about to close, took me straight up to santa, keeping me hidden the entire time, backed me into his lap, and snapped the photo. sneaky, but it worked. i had no clue!
    melissa´s last [type] ..a date night in my future

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  • http://www.theaftercraft.blogspot.com Sarah Brazier

    OMG That wins for the best photos ever. I took my parents dog down to see santa and we did manage to get one good photo out of the bunch but she HATED santa.. totally scared out of her skull of him and there was one great photos of her runnning away from him over her shoulder that I nearly picked.

    Awesome photo! one to be remembered.

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  • http://hialissa.com alissa

    haha oh my. would she have been happier if you sat with her? i finally caved in and sat with liv and santa and she was still upset but managed a smile when the lady shook a freaking stuffed frog at her.
    alissa´s last [type] ..recent cuteness

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  • http://verdemama.com verdemama

    Once the trauma passes you all will have a huge laugh at this. :)
    verdemama´s last [type] ..Baby Barista

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  • http://babymcmillon.blogspot.com Lacy

    My husband and I make Goulet jokes all the time and no one ever gets them.

    Quick! Staring contest!

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  • Jessica

    Best.Santa.Photo.Ever.

    The arms up, the shhhhing Santa, the look of a real terrible two’s fit… all perfect.

    http://hothotjj.blogspot.com/

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  • http://nannersp.com Nanette

    This? AMAZING!

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  • http://guarros-gone-wild.blogspot.com/ guarros

    I know it was hard to witness / I just witnessed, second year in a row of “terror on St Nick Lane” – but as bananas as it sounds – I don’t know – I’m embracing the hilariousness of the whole thing. Maybe that is going to continue to hold up my “Mother of the Year” award? Harper is adorable – even clawing to get away! Sorry the Elves were bastards though – that was unnecessary!
    guarros´s last [type] ..Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Be Scarred for Life

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  • http://beforethebabywakes.com Alexandria

    i hate to love harper miserable-ness but i love the picture!
    Alexandria´s last [type] ..30 Days of Truth- Forgive me

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  • Maureen

    That pic is so awesome.

    Oh look, a bighorn! Nature! Goulet.

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  • http://www.poppymilkface.wordpress.com emily bilbrey

    “to put it lightly, she thought it was sodumb” = made me giggle. poor harper! poor mama! yeah, mostly poor mama… better luck next year? XOXO!
    emily bilbrey´s last [type] ..uff da- the holiday rush &amp a GIVEAWAY!

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  • GG

    Wait! Harper? Mandy? Ages 1, 2 and 3 you HATED Santa! Remember when I had to sit on his lap and catch your MaryJane shrouded foot between my legs because you were kicking me so hard? It’s one of my favorite pics now, but at the time, I was so embarrassed and tired of waiting in line with a sweet little girl who was anxious to see Santa…until it was her turn! So such a timeless story, repeated in some fashion in every family. I truly love this picture! Sorry it was such a pain for you guys, tho.

    Love
    GG

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  • http://newmomadventure.blogspot.com/ Denae

    That has to be the greatest bad pic of Santa + crying kid ever. Maybe next year will be better?
    Denae´s last [type] ..Bad case of the Mondays

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  • http://www.misselaineouslife.com Elaine

    I’m sorry that you were disappointed in the way they handled it. BUT. I adore that photo and even the way he’s “shushing” in the background is pretty funny. She’s gonna love this one some day, seriously.

    I linked up with the “history” of our Santa pics! :)
    Elaine´s last [type] ..Hey Santa!

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  • http://heatherandwalter.blogspot.com Heather

    I LOVE it! It’s hilarious.

    Last year Max was not into Santa at all. I wish I would have gotten a screaming picture instead of no picture at all. This year, he wasn’t scared, but wouldn’t smile. Now every time we go to our mall he has to go see Santa because he knows he will get candy. Nothing like bribery…
    Heather´s last [type] ..Growth Charts

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  • http://queenofhercastle.blogspot.com Lisa

    LOL!!
    That’s the exact reason we skipped out on Santa this year.
    That is a great picture, though. Didn’t come out as planned, but obviously Santa has done this a time or two & pulled off a pose for the camera.

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  • http://www.reallyareyouserious.com Krystyn

    That is awesome! Not is a mommy way, but an innocent bystander way! My kids did/do the same thing, so I’m going to link up my post (from a couple days ago) too.

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  • Pingback: Stranger Danger « a little barefoot

  • http://meandthegrub.com/ b harper

    I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is the best Santa picture I’ve seen this year. He is a little creepalicious with the shushing though… I say it makes it that much better.
    b harper´s last [type] ..Everything is Better with Sriracha

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  • http://stephaniert90.blogspot.com/ Stephanie T

    If it makes you feel any better, I wish this was my Christmas picture. I’m so happy that my munchkin sat there all cute faced with a grin, but I kinda wanted a screaming/stranger danger/mommy help me Santa picture for the scrapbooks to look back on when she was older. Not to mention that Harper looks A-dorable even when she’s screaming bloody murder and Santa is being a creep.
    Stephanie T´s last [type] ..SANTA! I know him!!

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  • http://bringingupbaby.tumblr.com Jess @ Bringing Up Baby

    Oh my god, I’m friggen dying over here. I hate to laugh at your pain, but that picture is too damn funny. Don’t worry, I’m sure karma will bite me in the ass and Mac will pull a similar stunt next year. But for now, I laugh at your pic.

    If it’s any consolation, even in the throes of a total meltdown, Harper is still stupid cute.
    Jess @ Bringing Up Baby´s last [type] ..Body Issues

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  • http://www.thehappiestmom.com Meagan @ The Happiest Mom

    That picture? IS AWESOME

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  • http://www.desperatelyseekingsilence.com Tricia

    okay, i am so very sorry that Harper hated the santa man. Henry does, too, if that makes you feel any better. and my kid won’t even walk within 50 feet of the fat man. but you are totally going to treasure this photo years from now, when you can secretly submit it to the yearbook committee at Harper’s high school for the senior baby picture deal…see? fun had by all! why didn’t the santa staff try and help? were they pissed cause it was close to lunch, or did someone not let them have their break? i agree, new place next year. maybe a place where santa doesn’t even put on the beard until after the kiddo is turned around and not looking…yeah right, Henry would see right through those shenanigans, as would Harper I’m sure.

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  • http://lovenlattes.wordpress.com Dyanna Littke

    Ours will be exactly like this. We did ours the day before christmas eve and she had HOURS to watch the children sit on santas lap. When it came our turn- the photographer only tried for ten seconds and that was it. Ugh. I will post when we get them if you are still accepting after the holiday!

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