That creepy old guy ruining the season

Joseph's nameless, dark fears now have a name, and it's spelled S-A-N-T-A. His terror first became apparent at our ward Christmas party last Saturday night when a guy with a fake white beard and red suit entered the room saying "Ho, ho, ho!" Joseph, who had until then been gleefully chasing other kids around the room and climbing under tables, immediately collapsed into a sobbing, freaked-out little boy who sprinted across the room to us and hysterically insisted we leave the room, then that we go home entirely. Mind you Santa was on the completely opposite side of the large room, about the size of gym, and had done nothing even remotely threatening. So we went home, and it was about time anyway.

This afternoon I was opening a package someone had sent with Christmas presents for the boys. "We'll have to wait until Christmas to open these!" I said, upon which Joseph's face clouded over, he got his blanket and asked me to hold him, and as he clung needily to me said, "I don't want Santa to come." I explained Santa wouldn't come to our house if he didn't want him to and that the presents were from Uncle Tom and Aunt Nikki, which seemed to do the trick. Although a few minutes ago something reminded him again and Nephi held him for awhile.

This picture was taken last year.

Joseph was already pretty unhappy about Santa as you can see, but apparently he's been ruminating on this all year. Sweet, poor little guy.