Kids awake for early visit with Santa
Cookies help bring them together
No matter how much hot chocolate they consume, or how many naps they take on Christmas Eve, Brady and Mikaylee Zoeller say they have never stayed awake long enough to see Santa slide down the chimney.
So, on Sunday, the two children traveled to a place where they knew he would be, so they could have a picture taken with him and hand-deliver their Christmas wish lists.
"I told him I want trucks and motorcycles," said 5-year-old Brady, whose 2-year-old sister asked for a snowman. "I hope he brings them."
More than 200 people gathered at the Clarion Hotel in Scranton on Sunday for Cookies with Santa, a fundraiser presented by Snö Mountain and Eventful Moms - two local women, who organize family friendly events throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
Starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, the event featured live music, crafts, raffles and, of course, a chance to meet Santa.
Proceeds will go to Catholic Social Services' Gifts for Kids program.
"Who doesn't like cookies and Santa?" co-organizer Jenna Urban said. "Plus it's a chance for families to get in some last minute shopping before the holidays."
While 1-year-old Malaina Gaughan might not remember her first encounter with Santa, her mother, Shannon, certainly will.
In order to get her daughter, who was reluctant to leave her arms, to sit on Santa's lap - she, too, had to sit on Santa's lap.
"That's not how that was supposed to work," said Ms. Gaughan, laughing as she looked at the picture. "This is a moment I will never forget."
Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter