Santa and his helpers

YIKES!! Santa has a fan club/clique/bunch of groupies...............AAARRRRRHHHHHH!!!

The Fresno Mobile Home Park has many residents who have, for whatever reason (unemployment, bankruptcy, family disturbances), opted to live in a trailer. Usually these people are retired and this is a good way to conserve the little money they have. BUT there are also a large portion of people who have children. These children are school age or younger and it seems like having Santa join them in the park is the biggest highlight of their young lives.

As Ed and I were stringing lights around the awning and doorway of the motor home and winding (endlessly) lights around the tree outside our spot a group of 6 - 8 year olds descended on us. They all knew I was Santa and wanted to know a little about the big guy - Where do you live? Where are the reindeer? Where is Mrs. Claus? Why are you here? Are you the real Santa? What do elves eat? What are you doing? etc, etc, etc

All the while I was winding lights around the tree trunk they had endless questions. And they found others to "come and see Santa". I finally had to tell them I was busy and had to go up to the North Pole for a staff meeting.............so for the record (in case anyone asks):
- Santa is 483 years old
- Ed is Santa's older brother and is older (barely) than Santa
- Mrs. Claus like baking cookies - especially chocolate chip
- Santa and Ed are down in Fresno for a vacation because the elves are busy doing what they do best and the reindeer are in training
- Santa flew down from the North Pole and the reindeer will come and pick him up in time for Christmas Eve
- Santa does not promise anything but will try to get something for everyone.
- Santa's bag always goes with his sleigh
And so on and so forth.

We finally got the lights strung and they still followed me around, so therefore the ruse about the staff meeting. Thank goodness I go to work tomorrow.

Funny exchange with one of them:
"Hey, Santa do you get a day off work?"
"Yes, it's today"
"Huh?"
"Yup, and guess what I am doing?"
"Working?
"Yup, I think I am going to have a long talk with my elves!"
"Yeah, you better.........you need a real day off!"

Talk to everyone soon.