Greetings to everyone.

Xavier's Great Aunt Beth paid a visit today. Beth, Rebecca, Xavier and I met for lunch near a mall. After eating, we all walked over to the mall and headed for Santa's village. That man has really updated things since I went to sit on his lap, let me tell you! There were no snowmen with spinning heads towering over you and scaring the daylights out of you. No long, dim corridor that zigged and zagged, causing one dread every step forward one took. And what's up with that snowman? It keeps eyeing me like it wants me for lunch! And Santa is way over there, his throne in the shadows, and so very far away from the parents.

No, a more pleasant ambiance awaited us. Only two families were ahead of us. That fact changed shortly; we definitely picked the right time to visit! We entered Xavier's name into a naughty/nice machine while standing in line. After a light show and some stereotypical calculation-crunching sounds, Xavier appeared on the "nice" list. Good thing, too, or I would have cried foul and demanded to see the data backing the list selection.

As the short line progressed, we entered an ice cave, or, perhaps, it was the keep entrance to an ice castle. Hard to say. Inside, Xavier got first-hand experience practice-driving Santa's sleigh. He pushed and pulled the throttle, pushed navigation buttons, turned indicator dials. Seriously, I don't know what the reindeer do anymore.

We also looked through a magic window (something like a giant iPad). As we scanned the room, we saw the elves at work and other sights and goings on. Any "Fringe" fans reading this?

Finally, the velvet rope blocking our admittance to the North Pole was dropped and we entered Santa's headquarters. I guess the ice cave was a portal of some kind, or else Xavier really knew what to do with that practice sleigh. Mrs. Clause met us, a friendly woman and much shorter than I imagined. Xavier did not really notice; his attentions were elsewhere, or everywhere. He still distracts easily, but who can blame him this time? We were at Santa's HQ, it said so on the sign behind us.

Passing Mrs. Clause, we made it to Santa. Xavier sat on his lap. I must say, I am impressed with Xavier. I thought he might fuss or cry being passed off to a stranger, especially since he has been so clingy to his parents of late. He sat in Santa's lap like a champ. I am somewhat disappointed that Santa only posed for a photo or two. He did not inquire what Xavier wanted for Christmas. Perhaps it's true after all what one Christmas song tells us.

After visiting Santa, I returned to the office, leaving Great Aunt Beth, Rebecca and Xavier to spend time together at the mall. They eventually found an indoor playground and turned the little man loose. One of the items in the area was a large stegosaurus to be climbed. Xavier ran right for it and conquered the challenge. A fact he that well-pleased him.