Charlotte's Web, Santa, the Bad List, and the sidewalk sale

Last weekend, the boys watched a Christmas special video that introduced them to the idea of Santa's Good and Bad Lists.  The boys didn't talk about it much, but I think they had been stewing on it.

On the way home from ice skating last night, Ben, Alex and I arrived at the colorful 16th and Mission Bart stop plaza after dark.  As is usually the case, an neighborhood entrepreneur had set up a sidewalk sale of used CDs, phone chargers, etc.  When he saw the boys, he got really excited (in a good way) and called after us that "Santa is coming!  He is coming soon!  Make sure you are good!"

Around the corner, Alex calmly states: "We are on the good list for when Santa comes"

Hmmm....."Alex, does that mean that you are good and listen to me and Mommy?"

"Yes"

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Later that evening.....

Ben, Alex and I read the first chapter of Charlotte's Web.  You may recall that the story starts as the father heads out to the hog shed with his ax to "...take care of the runt..." [What!? Is this OK to read to a 3 year?  Too late, forge ahead.]

Fern, the girl, then runs after him, and confronts her dad, as artistically depicted in this image from the book:



There was some silence at this part.  And then Alex proclaims:  "That girl is going to take that [referring to the ax], and run back inside the house and hide it.  Then she is going to be on Santa's Bad List."

Hmmmm....."Alex, do mean because she wasn't listening to her dad?"

"Yes."