Santa's Grotto at Wafi Mall

2014. We went last year and had to go again as Oscar and Bailee have fond memories.

The queue is long, but we waited less this year, only 90 minutes. There were arts and crafts along the way, so the children were entertained for a good bit of the wait. Maple actually enjoyed her first not-at-home craft activities (That I can recall). She loved wandering around the tables, eating glue and taking off with felt tip pens.

Speaking of felts, we were delayed getting to the mall because of a blue stamp incident. I had just dressed the girls in sparkling new Christmas tutu dresses. Turned my head one moment and Maple comes running out with blue all down the dress, all over her hands and face and in her mouth. Due to recent experience cleaning the roof of our car (Pen marks, that is another story), Stu had the knowledge to remove the ink with hair spray! It worked, but Maple had to wear another dress as it was wet. We found a red one of Bailee's. It fitted well! Handy that my girls can wear each other's dresses! Bailee still fits in some size 2's and Maple is sooooo tall she easily fits a 2!

Before we got into the room with Santa there was a magical room with a sleigh, elves, reindeer, present props and all sorts for the children to explore.

So Santa was worth the wait! Stu had done Santa letters with Oscar and Bailee the day before so they opened them with Santa and had a good old chat. They were all in there for a good 5 minutes! The photographer was totally crap. He sat there all glum and all he said to try and get the children to smile and look at the camera was, "Hey...... hey......hey......hey!" I was surprised how un-phased Maple was by Santa. She was quite captivated by him, but not the least bit scared. She was more anxious about the Winter Wonderland! She was happy to sit on his lap (Yes Wafi Santa still does laps!)

At the end all the children got a lovely doll (Which we well and truly paid for!) Bailee replied that no, she wanted Hello Kitty Lego. I know it may sound spoilt, but I kind of understand it could be a bit confusing for a 3-year-old after just reading a letter about what you want for Christmas and then getting something else because this is not the same Santa who will come in 11 days time.... He listened to his explanation and they all left pleased and jolly.