Santa got quite a surprise this year courtesy of 6-year-old Sophie Quirk.
Sophie, the daughter of Councilman Tom Quirk, a Catonsville Democrat, gave Santa quite an earful and a shock during their chat, which was captured by John Patti of WBAL Radio. [Listen here.]
"I actually stay up and I get to see Santa every year," Sophie informed Santa in a matter-of-fact-tone.
"Are you sure?" Santa asks. "You're not supposed to sneak a peak."
"I didn't sneak a peak, every single-dingle year I stay up late," Sophie says.
And in point of fact, she's right.
Sophie's mom, Siri Svaeren is from Norway.
Tradition in Norway is that families stay up late to greet Santa Claus, according to the councilman. So Sophie and her brother Teddy get a pass.
Every year, Santa comes and visits the Quirk family. We're told it is not former Councilman Sam Moxley or county Public Works Director Ed Adams. Both have been known to help Santa out on occasion.
Sophie told Santa she loves to read.
What's her favorite book? Well, Sophie says it's hard to say.
Some of us held our collective breath hoping it wouldn't be a comprehensive guide to urban planning, a book on the fiscal deficit or Nate Silver's "The Signal and the Noise."
Nope.
Sophie loves "Duck for President, that's a really funny book. A duck is like governor and stuff."
Santa said she was a smart girl but Sophie already knows it
"My daddy said when he interviewed my teacher that I am very, very smart girl," she said.
Tom Quirk told me the interview was a chance moment. He was having a daddy-daughter day that involved visiting a National Guard event in which Hubbard Funeral Home donated trees for troops serving overseas.
Patti just happened to be in the area getting some Christmas audio, the councilman told me.
Now kids, a word of caution: Go to bed early and dont wait up to see Santa or he won't come (Sophie and her brother Teddy excluded).
We hope Sophie and her brother and all the other good boys and girls get what they really want this year.
And if there's time, St. Nick, I know a political reporter who wouldn't mind finding a copy of Nate Silver's book under the tree. He's been pretty good this year despite what some commenters and a few elected officials might say.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
