Obviously I write a lot about my kids on this blog and in my Parenting Perspectives column (which you should look for tomorrow, btw). But the larger part of my job is writing articles for the SheSays section of The Forum. While these are sometimes about moms or kids or parenting issues, they have little to do with my own family.
So it was a rarity when these two worlds collided earlier this month. I had the privilege of interviewing Fargo’s own Mrs. Claus, who is a constant figure at Santa’s Village at Rheault Farm. You can read the feature in today’s paper.
Ever since Eve was born in 2008, my family has made a yearly visit to the farm, to watch the toy train go round and round its tracks, to write a letter to Santa, to see the reindeer, to sit on Santa’s lap, and to make cookies with Mrs. Claus in the farmhouse’s kitchen.
I was glad to get a chance to know more about this woman who Eve has visited year after year, as have so many other local kids and families. It was an extra treat, a few days after I sat down with her, to bring Eve and newborn Owen into her kitchen. We had lots of fun as the kids poured sprinkles on their frosted sugar cookies.
Here’s a look at my own family’s interactions with Fargo’s Own Mrs. Claus through the years:
Here's Eve making cookies with Mrs. Santa in 2009. She was about 21 months old
And again in 2010 (age 2 1/2)
And again in 2011, now with little brother
As we approached Santa, Eve clutched to her daddy’s jacket for dear life. Thankfully, it was a slow night, so Santa got up from his chair and approached her gently. He peered over his glasses at her. She peered back over her glasses at him. By the end of their visit, she seemed to think he was an OK guy, though she never did let go of Craig’s coat. 
