I am Happy to Report.......

December 3, 2009

Sarah and Santa
Santa is no longer known as "The Scary Man" in our house:)

Our trip to the "north pole" was much different than last year's visit. Click HERE for a walk down memory lane.

For starters, we got there and Santa was on lunch at 2pm in the afternoon. Just my luck:) But no worries, there was plenty for Sarah to checkout until he returned. She was so excited and her eyes were as big as half dollars as she looked around at all the lights and decorations. Of course, I was not far behind with camera in hand snapping away, when all of a sudden I feel a tap on my shoulder.....

I turn around and see mall security standing there. This woman looks at me and says "you are not allowed to take pictures here." I said, "Oh, don't worry, we are waiting for Santa to come back from lunch and I will be buying a package from the portrait studio. I just wanted a few photos of my daughter waiting for Santa to arrive." She said, "no, you don't understand what I am saying. You cannot take photos anywhere in this mall. This is private property and every picture you just took, must be deleted."

She actually stood there and made me delete each and every photo. I was so stinkin mad..... I have never heard such a thing!

Last year, they told me I could take pictures around Santa's workshop, but not inside or while Sarah was sitting in his lap. I guess I can understand that, but no pictures at all......that is just unbelievable. What parent doesn't bring their own camera when the kids are going to see Santa or the Easter Bunny?? And while we are at it....how many of us blogger Mama's carry a camera with us almost everywhere we go???

When Santa finally came back from his lunch break, we were first in line. Santa's helpers announced that Santa was on his way..... we looked down the mall and there he was.....headed to the "North Pole". Sarah squealed with delight as she saw him coming. He sat down in his big comfy chair and waived Sarah over. She did not miss a beat and ran over without a glance over her shoulder...... I was so happy that she was not afraid of him like last year, but at the same time I was burning on the inside knowing that I was not getting any of this with my camera.

Once she got into his lap, she stared at him without blinking for what seemed like minutes. If you could have seen her sitting there gazing up at him.......it was so precious. The whole time I just wanted to whip out my camera......I was even tempted to use my iphone to catch a moment or two, but I was too chicken that the mall cop was going to come after me again.

This Santa was so gentle and kind.....maybe it was best we got there when he was fresh and just coming back from a break, because he was such a sweetheart:) Sarah was loving every minute of her visit and would have stayed there all day if he let her. I caught some of the conversation between them and I couldn't help but giggle as I listened.

Sarah told Santa that she was going to leave him her Nu Nu{aka, the pacifier}with his plate of cookies on Christmas Eve. She then told him that she is now a big girl and big girls don't use Nu Nu's. He should give her Nu Nu to a little baby who needs one and in return he should leave her something special under the tree. Santa seemed to love this.....and then asked her what she would like him to leave for her. She told him she wanted a bunny.......

I have no idea where that came from, but that is what she wants....a bunny!! During our drive back home, she told me that she wanted a pretend bunny, not the real kind...... THANK GOODNESS!!! I can barely handle one 20 lb, hypoallergenic nonshedding dog......there is NO WAY I am going to have a bunny hopping through this house!!

So, if the camera episode wasn't enough to burn me up for one day..... I walked in the door to see that my Christmas Card order arrived. I opened the box and was extremely disappointed with what I saw..... I picked a certain paper finish that I thought would give the card a nice and elegant look....

Big mistake, it does look nice, but I think the paper changed the colors....it seemed to warm up the picture a bit too much and I think the kids faces look a little yellowish......

I have a phone call into the printhouse. I am praying they can help me out. It will pain me to send these out the way they look now....... I never return or complain about anything, and can usually let the small things slide, but this I can't.

A frustrating day to say the least, but in the end....I did get to see that sweet, smiling face nose to nose with Santa. She has yet to stop talking about the big guy in red:)

50 comments:

Love Letters To China said...

The picture came out great! I've never brought my kids to see Santa before. I don't know why. I don't remember ever being brought as a child either. I have a feeling my daughter would march right out of there looking at me like I was stark raving mad! I can't believe security at the mall made you delete your pictures while looking over your shoulder. That's ridiculous! I guess they have nothing better to do, no shoplifters to catch. ;-)

duchess said...

No pictures in the mall? What's up with that? Her Santa picture turned out very cute & good luck with the cards.

Jodee said...

That picture is soooo cute! I am so sorry to hear about the mall security. That is so bizarre! I just took pictures in our Old Navy store and they didn't say a thing!

I hope your return with the printer is hassle free!

Hang in there! It's almost Friday!

The Gang's Momma! said...

I wonder if they go after all the teens with cameras in their cell phones like that? CRAZY!

But the one you bought? Adorable! Love it. I can imagine how cute the one would have been of her gazing up. She's so pretty :)

Sharon said...

Cute picture. I can't believe you were made to delete your photos. You are a better person that I am. I would have stormed out and taken L to another mall! I hope your Christmas cards can be fixed!

Tanya said...

Hi Lisa, Cute shot! Listen, call the mall office and ask if this security person has it right. I question whether, if even they can prohibit you legally from taking photos, if any rent-paying store in the mall would ever want to make you (a customer) mad over something so silly. I'm an attorney and an owner of stores in malls :) I was upset with what you shared!
Take Care!

Jboo said...

What a great photo -- she looks so sweet there with Santa! Our mall does that too -- no photos with Santa or around Santa, but can't believe the mall cop made you delete them all right then! Geesh!

Hope you have a great day!

janet

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Hey, Just wanted to update everyone and tell you that I called the mall last night when I got home and they told me that it is posted at every entrance. NO CAMERAS ALLOWED inside the mall. It is a matter of security.

I still think it is weird...... I also asked if this was a new rule and the woman I spoke with said it has been in effect for years.

I think I might need to find a new mall...... Unfortunately, this is our big mall:(

Lisa

Wanda said...

I am so steamed for you Lisa. I've never heard of that - and it's so unfair. Some of my best moments are at the malls.(For pictures.)

Actually, when I was at mine a few weeks ago I tried to snap Milana standing in front of a particular boutique and a lady came out and told me I couldn't take a picture there. It's possible it's a policy everywhere but not enforsed strictly - except at yours. I would have been equally disappointed.

But the adorable picture of Sarah on Santa's lap is beyond precious. The look of glee on her face is the best!

I hope you can solve the color problem with your cards. So disappointing again!

So.....you don't want a real live bunny? Hmmm.....
:)

Mimi said...

I can't get over that mall person!
I too would have been tempted to get out the camers at the Santa visit- unlike you, I don't think I could have resisted.

Colleen said...

Wow Lisa, I had never heard of such a thing..no cameras in the mall!! I bring mine all the time there! That is getting ridiculous not to mention sad what things are coming to.
I have never had that problem.. YET! I'm sure it will happen one of these days. When I took Faith a couple weeks ago to see Santa they actually let me stand and take a series of photos as long as I did it from the side. Even Santa was posing away at the camera.lol
Sorry you had to go through that, but that is one cute photo of Sarah with Santa! At least that went well!!!:)

Kristy said...

Lisa the picture is precious!! I have never heard anything like that though , how can they enforce that with the entire universe population carrying around cell phones with cameras on them????? That's crazyiness! Anyway the picture is beautiful and I am so glad she loves Santa now....so do I!!

Love and blessings, Kristy

Donna said...

Grrrrr.... mall cops! I've never heard anything more absurd. But if there's a sign that says "No Cameras allowed" then I suppose it's their right to impose that restriction. Does that mean they don't sell cameras? And you can't bring your iphone in because it has a camera? Maybe they should have posted "No Photography". Seems like cameras help public places be more secure -- not less. When my daughter was two, she threw such a tantrum at the mall and I had to carry her kicking and screaming to the car. One person pulled out their phone and took pictures of me just in case the news later reported that a cute Chinese toddler was abducted by a crazy white woman. I'm GLAD she was able to do that! It makes all of us safer.

Anyway, I think I'd be looking for a new mall too.

Love the Santa pic though!

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

Missy said...

The pic of Sarah and Santa is SOOOO stinkin' cute! At least it turned out to be a great pic. I had the same thing happen to me when Paige was in the Nutcracker. The security made me delete all 100 pics of her right there in front of all the people that came to watch her. I was mortified.
Sorry about the Xmas cards! Have you gotten in touch with anyone to help yet? Hugs!!!

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

I love how your mall Santa looks like the real deal. Some mall Santas look so phoney that my kids have a hard time believing that it is Santa. My children have each gone through the phase of being scared of Santa also. One year Erica stood outside the fence and waved at Santa while everyone else went to sit on his lap.

Lisa said...

That's just crazy that you had to delete all of your photo's! That is a very strange rule....?!

I'm so glad Sarah enjoyed Santa this year and am very happy that she wanted a pretend bunny, not the real thing. : )

Bummer about your Christmas cards, I'm sure the printhouse will do the right thing and help you out. I'm looking forward to getting one of your cards! : )

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

That Santa looks like the real thing.

Bummer about the security, though.

Robin said...

I would have been burning mad to have to delete the pictures while they watch ... ugh! At least you got a great picture of Sarah with the big man in red & you don't have to get a real bunny :)) That is cute!! I hope you get your pictures worked with customer service!

Take care - Robin

Mrs. Dunbar said...

I simply adore reading about your excursions. That bites about the private property and deleted pictures.
Isn't it so much fun when they enjoy their visit with Santa?

Polar Bear said...

Wow! That is plain weird! I guess "Bart" the mall cop needs something to do!

What a sweet story of Sarah and Santa. I love the idea of putting her Nu Nu out on Christmas Eve. What a perfect idea!

I hope you get the card situation fixed. I am sure the ones you have look good, too.

Kim said...

Love the photo...
Sorry to hear that they wouldn't let you take your photos..
just know they are afraid.. cause yours are WAY better...lol..
Sorry to hear about the holiday cards.. I hope they get fixed..
love ya..
Hugs..

Courtney said...

Love the photo. I can't believe they don't allow cameras there, what grinch!

M3 said...

Sweet!! Love the (one) pic. :-)

Three-years-old was the turning point for our girls. At one and two, Santa was a greatly-feared monster, at three they wanted to see him every day in December. It was so cute.

Marla said...

That's got to be one of the best Santa photos EVER! Love it!!! Sorry about the goofy mall rules, that's just dumb. And I'm sorry about your cards, too, but I have a feeling everyone is going to think they're just beautiful, even if they are a little jaundice on the back. :) Love ya, girlie!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

They are going to have you on camera now... when they see you walking into the mall they are going to be looking for your camera :) Truthfully... that would tick me off too in the biggest way... come on... get a real bunny...

Jo said...

Sarah certainly looks happy next to Santa this year. I've never heard of no photos in the mall but I guess I can sort of understand.

Good luck with the Christmas cards!

Jo

Lisa (Briana's Mom) said...

Woohoo!!! What a CUTE picture! I knew Sarah would warm up to Santa like Bri did this year. I think it is so funny that the both of us ended up on Santa's lap last year because of our daughters' distaste for the big guy.

But no camera! Oh my! That's like cutting off a hand! I cannot believe that. Completely ridiculous. I was snapping away at my mall while Bri was on Santa's lap.

Sorry about your cards. I had issues a few years ago with a company that printed my cards and they stunk. The color was totally off. Now I just insert my own photos into cards. I am so afraid of getting burned again! I hope you get it all worked out!

Aspiemom said...

So glad Sarah enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap. That's a great picture.

Dita said...

I can just imagine what you did when that mall security tapped you on the shoulder! Deleting all your pictures? Were you at the White House Mall? That is just CRAZY!

I am so glad Sarah enjoyed Santa this year. Your description was perfection...I felt like I was there.

I hope it all turned out well with the cards. Of all things......HOW could they possibly mess up with your amazing photos?!

Got get'em, Girl!

xoxo
Dita

Shari said...

I have run into the no camera rule before in a local mall. We were having a scavenger hunt for my nieces birthday party...a photo scavenger hunt. Not the entire mall, but some of the stores asked the girls not to take photos.

It made the hunt more challenging for them, but it was fine.

I can't believe the mall photographer got that good of a photo - our always stink. We spend $20 on a photo just so they let us get our own camera out to get decent pictures; at least you got lucky there:)

Casey said...

Such a cute story about Santa!!! You caught a lucky break with the fake bunny!! LOL. What special bunny are you going to find??

Sorry to hear about your cards. I bet they help you out. They'll want your return business. Last year we had a similar issue with a professional photographers photos. The type of processing changed the colors. They fixed it.

Kim said...

Very cute picture, so glad she wasn't afraid this year. I can't believe the mall cop watched you delete the pictures, what a bummer. I hope you get your Christmas cards figured out too.

Our Complete Family said...

What a difference a year makes, right?!?
Sarah sure does look like she's super excited and happy to be having a little visit with Jolly ole' St Nick himself!
I bet you about died when you heard her say bunny! ;)
Hope the card customer service works with you to resolve the card finish. That would be frustrating.
Hang in there...weekends right around the corner!
Hey, soon I'll be in your time zone!
xo L

Marla said...

Great picture of her and Santa. Sorry you didnt get to take any.
Adalyn wants nothing to do with the guy in red this year :o(

Special K said...

Great pic of Santa and Sarah. Very happy to hear how much fun she had. I can't wait to experience this "rite of passage" someday.... but I'm sure my girl will probably scream her head off, right? LOL!

Gail said...

The cutest Santa pic I've ever seen...maybe this will be the year my 2 will go see him. They've been afraid so far.

Hoping your cards turn out well...I'm sure they'll be lovely!

xo

carolinagirl said...

you got a great photo! i know emma will freak out, but we are taking the kids anyway!

3 Peanuts said...

I would have been hopping mad about not being able to take any photos..that is ludicrous. One time I was being stalked by a student (when I was a young professor) and the police even told me that he could take photos of me all day long unless I got a restraining order. it is my understanding that unless you are in an art museum or certain shows...you can take photos anywhere.


So glad Sarah loved Santa...we have not gone yet.

And so sorry about the cards...I have a similar situation where I took mine at sunset for that magic glow...they look beautiful on the computer and on photo paper but they seem a little orange to me on the card. Dave thinks they look fine...I am sending them because I spent way too much not to.

fleur de lis cottage said...

I've not heard of that either...not being able to take photos at a mall. However, that picture of Sarah is precious, she is as cute and happy as can be.

I hope you get your issue resolved with your Christmas Cards.

Have a great weekend!!

The Byrd's Nest said...

I have to say that is rather strange....of all the years I have had children (26 years!) I have never heard of them not letting you take your own pictures also! Crazy! Even so.....what a precious photo of your princess. Santa is still the big scary guy at our house though:(

CC said...

so happy to see that pretty smile instead of the horrified look of terror! ;)

CC said...

Wanted to add that I TOTALLY would have stormed out of the mall after the mall cop incident.

And bunny? Thank goodness not real! If my kids every asked for that I'd laugh right in their faces. Sorta.

Lucy said...

That's insane you can't take pics at the mall! I would have been so mad too. I love that Sarah asked for a bunny. Mags tells me she's going to ask Santa for a toy airplane when she sits on his lap (which she says she'll do this year!). Cracks me up though because I don't where that one came from... Hope you can get your xmas card fixed. I just ordered mine and I'm so not excited about them. I hate the pressure! :)

JMCS said...

What an absolutely beautiful pic of Sarah and Santa. Love her smile too. I would have been burned up too if they made me delete my pics. Come on already! It's not like you weren't going to buy their pics as well. Sorry to hear about the Christmas Cards too, but I am sure they still look gorgeous. Did you use WHCC or Mpix? I use WHCC and have had pretty good luck and I know Debbie says that Mpix is really good too.

Hugs,
Jonni

Faith Hope Love Photography said...

I love this post...she is the cutest thing ever...my kids won't even come close to sitting or looking at him. And the 6 year old is more scared than the 4 year old:) So much fun!

Dawn S. said...

miss ya. had to stop by and say hi! I have been a bad blogger since my O came home! Need to catch up.

park it said...

You do know that you can "recover" deleted pics fm your disk...I have done that using RECOVER or something like that - works like a charm - free download and nope no connection - just a silly girl who deleted her pics one time -oops!
Lovely pics
Carol and Kimberly in HOT FL

jenbusymom said...

Oh Lisa,

So sorry for your attack from the mall cop! Don't you just hate that! I'm so happy Sarah wasn't afraid this year and she looks in heaven! I'm sure you'll get your cards figured out, you still have time, hang in there!

Unknown said...

Oh MAN! I am so annoyed about the mall cop! Are you kidding me? I still take pictures in public places, but only on my cell phone. I am not brave enough to whip out the camera : )

prashant said...

Cute picture. I can't believe you were made to delete your photos.

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