KIDS' QUESTIONS KEEP SANTA CLAUS SMILING

You better not pout, and you better not cry if you want to sit on Santa's lap.

But if you do, Santa will keep smiling. It's his job to be happy.

Nick Roberts, a 19-year-old Southeast Missouri State University college student from Portageville, is one of Santa's helpers this year.

He spends 17 hours a week in Santa attire, complete with an itchy, white beard. As one of the West Park Mall Santas, he sits for hours in the Santa chair as child after child comes forward to sit on his lap.

"A lot of the little kids call me `"Ho, Ho,'" Roberts said.

They are curious about Santa's elves, who take photos of the children and direct them to Santa.

Some children want to know why the elves don't have pointed ears. The answer: The elves have special makeup that makes their ears look normal.

And just where are the reindeer? On top of the mall roof, of course.

"One kid asked me if I knew Superman," Roberts said. "He flies by every once in a while," he told the child.

The children make plenty of requests for toys and other presents.

Many of them bring long lists with them. One girl wanted everything, including a pony, a Dalmatian, a television set and a VCR.

"One little girl asked for a roller coaster. I told her I couldn't get it in my sleigh," Roberts said.

He asked her if she would accept something smaller. She settled on a life-size Barbie.

"Most of the girls still want life-size Barbies," Roberts said. Many of the boys want toy tractors and trains.

Power Rangers still are popular with boys.

Disney's "101 Dalmatians" has spurred interest in the spotted pets.

"All the little girls want Dalmatian puppies," said Roberts.

But Santa says no to that request. Roberts said he tells them he doesn't carry such puppies in his sleigh because they might fall out.

A 4-year-old boy asked for scratch-off lottery tickets.

Roberts knows a few of the children. One girl was amazed when Santa rattled off the names of her relatives.

"She couldn't believe I knew all of her relatives," he said.

"A lot of the little kids said they just wanted a surprise," said Roberts.

Santa gets his share of older visitors too.

One man proposed to his girlfriend while visiting Santa. She accepted.

Santa also has had visits from couples in their 60s.

Everyone it seems wants to talk to Santa. "It's pretty fun," said Roberts.

So what's the most important rule to remember when you are Santa? "Just keep smiling," he said.