Eddie had been saying, "San-ta! San-ta!" all week, but now that he was face-to-face with the man, he just sat there and said nothing. He didn't look particularly happy, and yet he didn't look particularly sad or frightened. He simply sat there as if Santa's lap was a chair like any other.

He is not someone who lives at the North Pole, makes toys, drinks hot cocoa and hangs out with elves, flying reindeer and Mrs. Claus. But he is real.

I shine as a mom when it comes to difficult conversations. Where do babies come from? No problem, though I'll never forget the her horror as she came to the conclusion, "I suppose if that's what I'd have to do to get someone like me, I would." The "Santa Talk," however, was different.

It's easy to decide which magical lies you'll introduce to your kids. What's tough is keeping up with those lies, especially the ones that add the all-important magic factor to Christmastime.

WASHINGTON — Why do kids believe a chubby guy in a flying sleigh can deliver joy across America? Because their parents do. A whopping 84 percent...