My daughter has had a few different experiences with Santa Claus during the last month or so. One was pretty sweet, another was most likely traumatizing. To me, that is.</p><p>Addy seems to know what or who Santa &#x93;is,&#x94; especially after the house was decorated and one particular shelf was filled with Santas of all shapes, sizes and ages. She would point to Santa and make whatever noise or word she could put together, somehow acknowledging that this guy in the white beard was, in fact, not scary.</p><p>Walking around downtown Lee&#x92;s Summit a few weeks ago, we ran into Santa inside the book and toy store.</p><p>While she was overwhelmed with all the stimuli around her, once Santa presented himself, she was locked on him. Not scared. No freak outs. Just fixated on him. Santa pulled out a candy cane, handed it to her and I lifted her up for a photo of the three of us.</p><p>That event went well. Addy smiled as much as she ever does for a camera and was more enthralled with the candy cane than anything else.</p><p>Still, I thought the whole situation was meant to be a good precursor to another visit with Santa, this time on his lap, for more photos.</p><p>When he made his annual trip to the Lee&#x92;s Summit Journal, I am not sure Santa would have even known what was coming with my daughter.</p><p>Sure, while he&#x92;s probably had kids in all states of mind on his lap &#x96; happy, sad, terrified, giddy, gassy, tired &#x96; Addy offered another category. She was in all-out fit mode.</p><p>As we approached him, she started the climb over my shoulder to my back and by the time she was on Santa&#x92;s lap, it was already over.</p><p>Fortunately, our photographer, Miranda, snapped a quick photo of her that she will have to find entertaining later in life &#x96; screaming, arms stretched out and just generally unhappy. Of course, a few minutes later we were at a Chinese buffet for dinner and all was well.</p><p>Before we left, the waiter asked us what she was getting for Christmas and if we had seen Santa yet.</p><p>Uh, yes. And thankfully, we won&#x92;t have to do that for another year.</p><p>Merry Christmas, Addy. Despite what happened earlier this month, the big guy in red will take care of you on Christmas morning.</p><p>John Beaudoin is the publisher of the Lee&#x92;s Summit Journal. To comment, call 816-282-7001 or email jbeaudoin@lsjournal.com