Children share thoughts on Christmas

Eyes sparkling, feet dancing and smiles beaming, the children at Bright Beginnings Preschool are ready for Santa's visit. They've all been good, and they're looking forward to the big day with great anticipation. On Thursday, they shared some of their thoughts on Christmas.

Three-year-old Grayson Servos likes Christmas a lot. He's seen Santa already this year -- met him when he was on the fire truck at the parade. Grayson said Santa's a nice man who wears "Santa clothes," but also can wear anything he wants.

Right now, Grayson guesses that Santa's "working on presents for all the children," at his workshop, which is "far away in the sky." You can only get there by flying with reindeer, who eat reindeer cookies.

Santa makes all those toys himself, but Mrs. Claus helps a lot. The elves help, too; plus the elves work on the Polar Express.

Grayson knows he's on the good list. He's been very good.

Lucas Turowski, 4, says Santa's place at the North Pole is cold, and the snow just keeps "going and going and going." He's seen Santa at the Wal-Mart; and he's sure the reindeer also were there, but were probably "hiding in a bush," because he didn't see them.

Lucas says his Dad helps Santa, but otherwise, Santa uses magic, a sleigh, and a big bag for the toys. Even though Santa has a really long Christmas list, "He's gonna find me a toy;" especially since Lucas has been good "for a whole week."

Conner Irwin, 3, says Santa says "Merry Christmas" and "Ho, ho, ho." He's seen him, in fact; and knows that Santa has toys and "will bring them to ALL the boys if they've been good."

Conner's been good, and Santa is making the toys right now.

Santa brings the toys "right to your house." He takes off from the North Pole on Christmas with the reindeer.

Conner also is looking forward to his school's Christmas program, to take place tonight.

Ryken Butler, 3, says Santa's known for saying, in a deep voice that Ryken imitated, "Meerrryyy Christmas! Ho, ho, ho!"

He said he's seen Santa -- even sat on his lap and let him know just what kind of toy car he'd like for Christmas. It's easy to recognize Santa, who has boots and a red suit.

Ryker guessed that Santa's probably relaxing before Christmas by riding a boat, but he'll be bringing the Christmas presents in his sleigh.

He's sure, too, that he's made it onto Santa's nice list, because even though it's hard sometimes, he's been good.

Gage Hollands, 4, thinks Santa's a pretty good guy, because he gives toys to everyone on the nice list.

Gage has been good "all the time," and so has everyone he knows; but he's also sure there are some "bad guys" on the naughty list.

He met Santa at the mall and talked with him a bit; Santa had a "really long list."

Right now, Santa's most likely at the North Pole, "fixin toys" with the elves, who do a lot of work. When they're done, the toys will go on the sleigh and the reindeer will fly the sleigh. He hasn't seen live reindeer, but he's seen them in pictures. They fly even though they don't have any wings because they have magic. Gage may leave some carrots for the reindeer, who might get very hungry while doing all that flying.

Gage said Santa leaves the gifts under the tree (you put lights and ornaments on it, and a star on top) and he just comes in the door when there's no chimney.

Calen Taylor, 4, says the best thing about Chrismas is toys from Santa.

Santa also fills stockings, but he doesn't bring the stockings; you have to put the stockings out yourself.

He's met Santa, too. Santa wears red clothes with white on them, and has a big, white beard. Santa just knows (thanks to Santa magic) what to bring, where you live, and whether you've been good; and he only comes at Christmas. No other time, Calen said.

"You have to be good," Calen said, and he's been good.

Calen said that right now, Santa is probably at home at the North Pole, "sleeping," resting up for the big day.

Santa magic, he said, also is responsible for the reindeer flying. Instead of flapping wings, they move their legs back and forth, "like this," he said, demonstrating by moving his arms forward and back in tandem.

Baylee Marushin, 4, loves Christmastime, when "everything is cool. Everything is pretty. Everything is cute."

Although she's never met Santa, she knows he gives presents and must be very nice, but you have to be good. She's been good, she said. He's got a red jacket and a white beard. He lives at the North Pole, where at this moment he's probably "getting presents, making his list," and getting everything ready for Christmas, with the help of the elves. On Christmas, she said, they'll load up the sleigh and will drive the presents down to Missouri with the help of the reindeer, who are very strong. The reindeer are always with Santa, but sometimes they hide. Santa takes care of the reindeer himself.

Corbin Murrow, 5, really likes the lights and ornaments at Christmastime, and helps decorate the tree.

Corbin said he believes in Santa and has even met him before.

"If you're good you get presents," he said, adding that yes, he's been good.

Everyone he knows has been good, but he's sure there are some people, like "Steven, on the Polar Express," who are on the naughty list. Corbin, though, has a "secret bell" from the Polar Express, of his own.

Santa, Corbin said, has a red cherry nose, a red suit and lives at the North pole with the elves. The elves help make the toys, and they watch out for Santa.

He's never seen the reindeer in person; but he's seen pictures of them pulling the sleigh, which brings Santa to everyone's home. Santa comes in through the chimney, or just through the front door, and lays a finger on the side of his nose to get back up the chimney.

Covy Confer, 3, is looking forward to Christmas and spending time with his mom.

He's met Santa before, and said Santa looks like his picture. "He makes the presents, and pretty paper," and Covy's helping Santa this year by getting the present for his mom himself.

He's definitely been good.

Covy said he has never seen a real reindeer, except on television, where he's seen them fly plenty of times. Their harness and bells make them fly.

Covy, who likes cookies a great deal himself, may leave cookies for Santa.

Jacob Potter's planning to perform in the preschool's Christmas program tonight, but wasn't available for an interview.