This past December, Sloan met Santa Claus for the first time. To be honest, Sid and I didn’t know how she would react. We drove out to a Christmas tree farm to have a family photo taken with the big guy. We posed for the photo and everything seemed to be going great as Sloan initially did not make a sound.

Sitting on Santa’s lap, Sloan did great at first (photo by Erin Dietrich).

However, that all changed when she looked up to see who was holding her.

The strange old man with the big white beard and red pajamas sent her over the edge. The tears flowed and her hands shook with anger/fear. That was that.

Sloan did not enjoy Santa (photo courtesy of Erin Dietrich).

Fast forward to this past weekend at the Easter celebration for Sloan’s day care. As you could probably guess from where this blog post is going, there was a certain costumed character in attendance. The function started with a pancake breakfast inside the daycare’s main gathering area. Immediately upon entering the room, the Easter Bunny was positioned to the right. We were able to divert Sloan’s eyes as we went the opposite way and snagged a table. Although we avoided the rabbit initially, our plan wasn’t to stay under the radar the entire morning.

Three years ago, I wrote about how strange/creepy most Easter Bunnies look. At the time, I said it is impossible to design an Easter Bunny costume that looks presentable, comparing the task to putting lipstick on a pig. My tune hasn’t changed. I still feel disturbed when I go to the mall during Easter season and glance at what is sitting in the throne.

Most Easter Bunnies look like they are carrying diseases (I do not know the kid in this photo).

So if I can still lose my lunch at the sight of an Easter Bunny, what would my daughter think? Surely, she would be traumatized for life. After we finished our breakfast, risking Sloan’s well-being, we went over to where the Easter Bunny was staged. When there was an opening, the three of us joined the rabbit on the bench. I held Sloan the whole time and she did fine as photos were snapped.

But one beast in a picture is more than enough. I wanted to step out of the festive Easter scene so Sloan could get one alone with the bunny. Sid stepped away too and we placed Sloan in a pair of furry arms. What would happen?!…

Absolutely nothing! Although she didn’t take the initiative to smile, Sloan contently sat on the Easter Bunny’s lap as we took all the photos we desired. She was so brave!

Sloan did great with the Easter Bunny, surprising me just a bit.

Well, I have another theory besides our little girl’s courage for why she didn’t freak out. Sloan’s favorite TV character is Harry the Bunny from BabyFirst TV, a soul who is just a tad cuter than your typical shopping mall Easter Bunny. Sloan watches Harry every day and really, really likes him. She also has a couple rabbit stuffed animals she enjoys. My hunch is that she thought the Easter Bunny was Harry’s brother or something.

Believe it or not, Sloan had an encore encounter with the Easter Bunny (pictured with Sloan is Miss Martha, one of Sloan’s daycare teachers).

Of course, Sloan might just be more mature from the time of her Santa visit. Whatever the reason, her first visit with the Easter Bunny was a success. Don’t Blink.