'All I want for Christmas' New York Irish kids on what Santa Claus will be bring this year

April Drew catches up with old friends during the holiday season

April Drew caught up with some old friends in New York, and their kids, to see what Santa would be putting under the Christmas tree this year.

Santa is coming to town, and all the Irish boys and girls in New York are getting very excited for his arrival next week. 

Two-year-old Ella Dolan, who will start playschool next year, is already getting into the Christmas spirit. Every night before bed Ella and her mommy light a special candle for baby Jesus. 

Sometimes if she is good Ella is allowed to watch “Follow Santa” on the computer. It’s a website that tracks Santa’s movements across the world leading up to Christmas Day. Ella loves it and gets very excited when she sees Santa online. 

Although Ella and her parents, who are Irish born, will continue the tradition of leaving out a cookie and milk for Santa, they will go that extra mile for Christmas 2012. 

“This year my mammy said she will mix oats and glitter and we will spread it on the grass for Rudolph,” Ella told the Irish Voice last week. 

She is hoping Santa will bring her “Dora and Diego and a baby doll and a toy for Elfie.”

The Yonkers resident will have Christmas dinner with her parents in their house and her aunt and uncle will join them too. 

“I am going to help my mammy cook a big dinner and we will have ice cream too -- it’s my favorite,” Ella says.

Adam, 5, and Sophie, 3, are the children of Cork export Lisa and Fermanagh immigrant John. They live in Yonkers. Adam goes to Paideia School 15 and Sophie is in the 3S program at the Will Library. 

December isn’t all about Santa and presents for this family. This time three years ago Adam was undergoing open heart surgery. Today the family celebrate their son’s life because he has beaten the odds and is living a healthy and normal life.

Lisa told the Irish Voice that she and her husband are “so thankful” for their beautiful kids. 

“A few years ago we didn’t think that was possible but Adam has showed us his strength and courage every day,” she added.

Adam wrote via email he was most excited about “Santy bringing me my pirate Lego book.” 

His only concern was his behavior. “I hope Santy thinks I was good enough to bring me my Lego,” he said.

Adam’s little blonde haired sister Sophie is excited about getting a grocery store all for herself so she can run her own shop.
When asked what he was thankful for this Christmas season Adam said, “I’m thankful for my family and mommy.” Sophie was thankful for “my dollies.”

Lisa and John will be cooking the dinner. Her sister Anna, her husband Ivan, her niece Olivia and her nephew Jack will join them for the Christmas feast in their Yonkers home.
In an effort to pay respect to the families of the Newtown tragedy, Lisa asked that all parents “slow down” and not be so focused on material things this Christmas. 

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Nster.com