His reindeer is waiting for him in the mail when he comes to play on Thursday. He plays with “Bob” the reindeer all day long. Introducing him to Baker and all the other animals he has in a basket on his toy shelf. He and Grandpa look up some reindeer facts and look at some pictures on the iPad. Bob watches as he eats his lunch, and while he takes his afternoon rest. Having limited exposure to Santa and his reindeer, he loves this deer for the beautiful creature that it is and I can tell he is a bit worried that he will have to leave him here, on the toy shelf when he goes home as he tells me how happy he is that he has a reindeer. I reassure him that Bob is supper excited to go home with him to meet mom and dad and live with him there.

5 fun facts about reindeer:

1. Both the males and females grow antlers.

2. Their noses are specially designed to warm the air before it gets to their lungs.

3. Reindeer hooves expand in summer when the ground is soft and shrink in winter when the ground is hard.

4. Some subspecies have knees that make a clicking noise when they walk so the animals can stay together in a blizzard.

5. The first known written account of reindeer in association with the legend of Santa Claus occurred in 1821 in a booklet called ‘A New Year’s Present’.

   
   

Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O'er chimneytops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.
-William Gilley 1821