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Oh, the dreaded Santa pictures. (Of course, even sans Santa, you know pictures are dreaded around here.)

What do you think the ratio is of good to bad Santa pics out there? Are there ever really any good ones? And by good, I’m not talking about the quality of the photo. I’m talking about the subjects.

Of course, is it really reasonable to expect a small child to stand near, much less sit on the lap of a big, hairy, deep-voiced man dressed in a red “suit” and smile?

With children 5, 4, 3 and 1, we have yet to have a year where everyone wants to see Santa. Like the rest of America, however, we tend to push the issue – if only for our own entertainment.

At my Moms Club Christmas party the other night each family was given the opportunity to have a picture taken with Santa. Never ones to pass up a memorable moment, we wiped the crumbs and pizza sauce off the kids’ faces and got in line.

Maria and Jack had no qualms and took full advantage of the opportunity to tell someone what they wanted for Christmas. Luke needed a few minutes to warm up, though watching his siblings happily converse with the big man helped. Sam, however… Well, let’s just say he thought he was exempt and when he realized the actual plan he went slightly hysterical.

Amanda Johnson, the insane brave and talented photographer, took a couple of pictures (one with Mr. Hysterical and one without) and later asked me which picture I wanted.

I picked the one that included Sam. After all, it’s much more realistic, don’tcha think?