Santa Claus’ arrival at special breakfast is a joyous event for area youngsters

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • November 29, 2010
  • 302
                        
Young faces lit up with joy as they heard the sound of bells jingling and Santa Claus came strolling into the room. The children were at the First United Methodist Church on Broadway in Sugarcreek for the annual Breakfast with Santa on November 27. Although their parents dined happily on a hearty breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes, French toast, and pastries, all prepared by church volunteers, the little ones were almost too excited to eat. Two and a half year old twins DeeDee and Danny Sponseller, children of Tadd and Lindsey Sponseller, couldn’t take their eyes off the big man in the red suit. Santa provided them with a set of bells to ring, but the two were almost overwhelmed in awe to ring them. Instead, they followed Santa around the room, close on his heels as he greeted one child after another. Santa’s special trick of ‘checking noses’ to see if they glowed like Rudolph’s was a big hit. Usually, the small ball Santa held up to a nose lit up right away, but it took a little longer for some guests. The children were fascinated with the feat. Tadd Sponseller is the pastor at First United Methodist. “My birthday is December 25, so I go all out for Christmas,” he explained. “I’m kind of what you might call a Christmas freak. We watch Christmas movies all the time at our house. In fact, as soon as the Santa Claus II DVD starts playing, Danny starts acting out the whole movie!” “The twins were so excited to come and see Santa this morning,” said a smiling Lindsey Sponseller. “They keep going over to him. Last week, DeeDee was sitting in the back seat of the car, and all of a sudden she announced, ’Santa Claus is coming to town!’ She is definitely really excited.” “Danny wants to kiss Santa,” added Tadd as he watched his young son sidle up to Santa’s bench once again. DeeDee knew exactly what she was asking for. “A baby doll, and a pink bike,” she answered when asked about her wish list. “I want a bear, and Lightning,” replied Danny shyly, referring to the Cars movie character Lightning McQueen. Gabe and Jack Fair were dressed in identical shirts that declared their Christmas list ideas. Although Gabe is five and Jack is three, the boys could almost pass for twins themselves. “I want Stinky the Garbage Truck,” announced Gabe. “He sings and he does everything.” He quickly affirmed that he was on Santa’s ‘good list’. “I want Chuck the Talking Truck,” stated Jack, nodding solemnly and agreeing that he, too, was on Santa’s ‘good list’ Many of the children climbed onto Santa’s lap for a moment and a few photos, but several preferred to have mom or dad hold them next to the jolly old elf. Most had at least a few ideas about items to request. “I want these,” said Morgan Schlabach, a 4-year-old dressed in a beautiful red dress for the special occasion, as she showed several carefully cut out magazine pictures of animated stuffed animals called Furreals. Schlabach also was requesting a Baby Alive doll, complete with wet and dirty diapers. “They sure don’t make Baby Alive like they did when I was a little girl,” observed her mother wryly. “The top of my list is a rail buggy,” stated Cameron Sinnett confidently. “And next is a Ground Force Drifter – it’s like a smaller sized go-cart. And I want a new PlayStation, and new video games like Split Second.” The nine year old’s younger sister, Emily Sinnett, 5, had a much shorter – and less expensive – list for Santa. “I want new baby dolls with pink clothes,” she announced. Her second request was even simpler. “And I want a wrapped up present.”


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