Ho. Ho. Ho. I'm Coming To Get You.

I'd like to share something with you, my friends. Something that amuses Rob and me, but also scares me just a little bit.

Behold, Read-Me-A-Story Santa. Or, as we know it, our children's all time favorite Christmas decoration. They seriously love this thing.

My mother-in-law gave this to us when Francie was a baby, so its magic went untapped the first year we had it. In fact, I think it went right into storage that first year.

Now? Well, it's the first thing the kids dig around for when the Christmas boxes come upstairs. And woe to the parent who has forgotten the three "C" batteries it requires. That's usually me.

Santa comes complete with three stories that, when inserted into his hand, he reads aloud to the delight (and slight trepidation) of young and old. His voice box has seen better days, and even with new batteries he sounds a little off. As in off his rocker, the lovable old coot.

The grinding noise in the background are the gears straining to make Santa's head move back and forth, and Rob and I cannot help laughing when we hear it. I'm sure it's because we have achieved the emotional maturity of a pre-teen.

What I honestly do like about Santa is that his stories are religious, even though it sounds more like a warning than a reminder when he says to get in bed and say your prayers.

I don't know what we'll do if (or when) Santa breaks down. It just won't be Christmas without him.

What do you think, my friends? Hilarious, sweet, creepy, all of the above?

What is your family's quirky decoration that must be displayed every year?

You have to tell me, or I'll send Santa to find you.