Meeting Santa

So on our travels this holiday season we had quite an experience. We were at the airport in Las Vegas on the tram. Alyssa's eyes get big and she says to me "Look Mom there's Santa!" I am kinda embarrassed because she said it quite loud and look around to see who she is saying it about. There is a man in regular clothing with a long, white beard. I smile and say "No it isn't Santa, he just has a white beard like him." I was hoping he wouldn't feel bad thinking we thought he was fat. Alyssa looked at him again and he winked at her and pulled a picture out of his coat.
It was of him as Santa with his sleigh. Alyssa was so excited. He proceeded to tell us- a small group of people had heard the conversation- that he was a real Santa. He has a big red ring on his finger with his name inprinted on it. There are only a select group of real bearded Santas throughout the country. We were all impressed and one of the people took a picture of him- I was traveling by myself with 3 kids and wasn't about to try and get my camera out on the tram. Then Alyssa says "Look there is one of his elves". I again look over, slowly and she is pointing to a tall dark business man. He can't stop smiling at the comment and is looking away. I again discount her idea and say 'He can't be- he is tall and elves are short". Shs doesn't believe me anymore since I was wrong about Santa and tells me "Mom, I saw an elf on tv and he was tall." The man isn't about to turn around and look at us, so I just went along with it. Maybe he was- who knew there were actual registered santas.
It just goes to show you, you never know who you will meet in Las Vegas!