Santa visits Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Greenbrook's Sarah Viaud was nervous her 2-year-old daughter, Erin, would cry when she sat on Santa's lap for the first time Dec. 2. 

But when Erin Viaud sat on Santa's lap, she was all smiles.

"It was great," Sarah Viaud said. "She wasn't scared at all."

Country Club's Sarah Montemarano, who is Sarah Viaud's mother and Erin Viaud's grandmother, said watching Erin Viaud meet Santa allowed her to relive the joys of meeting Santa for Christmas all over again. 

Families lined up in front of the Christmas tree on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch so their children could share with Santa what they wanted for Christmas and to take a few photos.

Lakewood Ranch's Landon Johnson was so excited to meet Santa he hopped on one foot right up to Santa who was sitting in a big red chair.

Johnson, who is 4 years old, joined his friend Avery Zych, who is 3 years old, to see Santa.

Zych told Santa she wants a dollhouse and a bike for Christmas.

Brandon Johnson, who is Landon Johnson's father, and Jeff Zych, who is Avery Zych's father, both were thrilled to see their children jumping up and down to see Santa.

"It's exciting because he actually gets (Christmas) now," Brandon Johnson said. "I love it. He was helping with all the decorations and the tree."

Lakewood Ranch's Jeff Zych said seeing his daughter invested in the holidays gave him chills.

"She's very into the Christmas spirit this year," Jeff Zych said.