December 18th: We went to Papa's firehall for their annual Christmas party. Emma and Amanda played in the fire trucks until "Santa" came. The girls had previously been running in circles and screeching as little girls do, but when he came into the room, they went quiet. They were keeping their distance; Papa had to pull them close enough to talk to Santa, and they let Papa know there was NO way they were sitting on his lap! Maybe it was his less-than-ho-ho-ho! attitude, his old and fuzzy red felt suit or just the pillow shoved into his jacket....Charlotte didn't seem to mind him at all, and at one point, with his beard tightly wound around her fingers, was ready to expose this "Santa" for the young fireman he really was! After Santa's helpers had given the girls presents, Emma had the nerve to go and ask for another-and she told him what she really wanted was a "black baby"...