Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Here Comes Santa Claus

                            

1991

Once upon a time on Christmas Eve, when Chelsea was just a wee one, Yann took great care to dress up as Santa Claus. He sported a red costume, stuffed pillows under his belt looking jolly and round. He arranged the white fake beard, making sure every curly hair was in place. Then he pulled up the borrowed black boots…Voila! Yann was Santa!

Santa arrived saying, "O O O!" Chelsea didn’t notice the French accent, but what she did notice snowed me under…when Santa left Chelsea turned to me and said,

"Santa has the same ring (wedding,) as Daddy! Nice Daddy Santa!"

photo: A porcelain figurine of the jolly guy, with an endearing twinkle in his eye!

Comments

40 responses to “Here Comes Santa Claus”

  1. patpaulk

    Observant little booger!! Good story!!

    Reply
  2. naturegirl

    What a treasure and the memory to go with it!
    Litttle Chelsea was an observant little girl!
    Corey thank you for spreading
    ~*JOY*~ all year round!
    hugs NG

    Reply
  3. Jeanne

    “Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!”
    ~Charles Dickens.
    Bless you sugar plums and thanks for sharing your heart each day in every way.
    It means so much!
    Love you Sugar Plum!
    Jeanne
    X0X0

    Reply
  4. diana

    leave it to kids to notice the little details… like a wedding ring !

    Reply
  5. Shannon

    That girl is brilliant.

    Reply
  6. Acey

    I love this story. Also never thought of Santa laughing with an accent. TOO funny!

    Reply
  7. Acey

    I love this story. Also never thought of Santa laughing with an accent. TOO funny!

    Reply
  8. Penny

    Wow what an eye in one so little. Many adults wouldn’t have even noticed that. I love the idea of hearing Santa laugh (and speak in French).

    Reply
  9. sheila

    I believe there is an adage,
    “It’s a wise child that knows it’s own father”,
    I’m not sure what it means exactly or where it came from..but it seems to fit here.
    Smart girl Chelsea..

    Reply
  10. cruststation

    Aww…your Frenchhusband is a star! I love that Chelsea is a smarty one, so adorable and observant.

    Reply
  11. Gardengirl

    Cute Story!!! I love a good laugh, especially when it starts my day.

    Reply
  12. ParisBreakfasts

    Those clever little ducks don’t miss a trick do they!?
    Très mignon histoire…

    Reply
  13. Mary Anne Davis

    They don’t miss a trick, do they?? Blessings to you during this advent season…
    xo-
    mad

    Reply
  14. Anonymouse

    Hmmm…do you think Yann might oblige us by dressing up for your blog fans..?
    I’d LOVE to see him in his Santa costume or any other outfit for that matter.
    Even no outfit…
    How ’bout a 2007 Yann Calendar for us!
    I’m in!

    Reply
  15. Teresa Sheeley

    What a cute story!

    Reply
  16. Star

    We try so hard sometimes, only to be foiled by the details. I’m sure Yann was a wonderful Santa.

    Reply
  17. Dawn

    Kids notice everything!!
    …sweet story…

    Reply
  18. Anna

    Oh, the wisdom and intelligence of little children…..probably because they’re still so fresh from God. Love it!

    Reply
  19. Jeanette

    What a wonderful memory! This year my 5 yr. old jumped right up on Santa’s lap, but called me over to make sure that she had been a good girl this year and to tell her what she wanted(she told me in the car just in case she forgot). The 2 yr old didn’t want anything to do with Santa, but wanted to see the sliegh and reindeer. I think she takes after me I would cry everytime my parents took me near Santa…my younger brother would just laugh at me and run up to Santa. Have a joyous christmas season.

    Reply
  20. susanna

    And THAT was when you realized that your daughter was and is BRILLIANT! She was quite the observant little one. It’s so sweet that Yann dressed up for his little girl. Awww! He IS a nice daddy Santa.

    Reply
  21. Cherry Menlove

    Just wonderful. Oh such memories, such sweet memories. xx

    Reply
  22. Paris Parfait

    Such a sweet story.

    Reply
  23. Lorene Silva

    Corey,
    What a cute story!
    I can’t believe that she noticed his wedding ring! LOL
    Lorene

    Reply
  24. Storms

    That is a cute story & an observant kid.
    Hey, I have a poll about Santa Claus at the Leader Lounge.
    http://www.leaderlounge.com
    Should we tell our kids he’s real or not? What’ do you think.

    Reply
  25. Darla

    Did you two ever give her the opportunity to sing “I Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus”? Tell all!
    Darla

    Reply
  26. a.

    My husband dressed up as Santa (with a lot of work) for our oldest who was 5 at the time and 20 of his friends at a christmas party we were throwing. When my hubby walked in as santa my eldest yelled out, “DADDY!”…he knew just from the eye’s.
    Great story and pic!
    a.

    Reply
  27. nel

    lol…what a beautiful story, she obviously has an eye for detail, just like her Mum!

    Reply
  28. annieelf

    Out of the mouths of babes and an object lesson that we should never think we can put something past a child. They see everything. Lovely story, Corey.

    Reply
  29. patty van dorin

    what a sweet Christmas memory, thanks for sharing it and spreading some Yule cheer.
    Patty

    Reply
  30. Britt-Arnhild

    Sweet memories are the very best Christmas decorations for years and years……

    Reply
  31. Rethabile

    Well-known fact: Can’t get anything past children.

    Reply
  32. MB

    My daughter used to find the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” highly offensive, because she felt that was the story of a horrid betrayal of Daddy. This put me in a real dilemma!! Either endorse the apparent adultery, or burst her bubble of Santa belief. What was a mother to say??

    Reply
  33. Blondie

    At least you know your husband never takes his wedding ring off!
    And that little statue played a trick avec mes yeux! I thought Santa was reaching behind to scratch his derriere, but then realized that was his sack of toys and not his arm.
    In related news, when I was young, we had a red bean-bag ottoman. On Christmas morning, I came out and caught a glimpse of it in the corner, thought that santa was STILL in the house and ran screaming to the bedroom. NO nice daddy Santa for me!

    Reply
  34. deirdre

    Years ago, when one of my nephews was about six, my sister recruited me to play Santa on the phone with voice as deep as it would go. After a few moments of vocal strain, Z. commented that “Santa” sounded like a girl. I HoHoHo’d my way through that, but the next year I was Mrs. Claus.

    Reply
  35. Linda

    I think it broke my heart a little when I first discovered Santa wasn’t real. I, of course, immediately told my little sister.

    Reply
  36. gracie

    I loved the “O O O” french Santa!!
    Let’s hope she continues to spot the wedding rings!!

    Reply
  37. eivlys

    another fairy tale you have the secret for !!!

    Reply
  38. Linda Harre

    It is hard to pull one over on kids of any age:) Love this………..

    Reply
  39. simple me

    Wonderful memories!

    Reply
  40. mary jane

    Daddy Santa’s are the best….hugs

    Reply

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