Is Santa Clause real?

OK, I knew it was coming and dreaded the day- although I skirted this one somewhat this morning. Alex begins: "Mom, Troy and Owen" (kids at his school)"say that Santa is not real." "Really?" I say and wait for his reply. "All they will get is coal for Christmas, right? Cause I believe in Santa and I believe he'll bring me that go-cart. . . . ." (waiting for my reply). I nod my head. "What is coal?" Claire asks- thank goodness- we'll change the subject. Big discussion about coal. Discussion averted. Thank goodness for easily distracted children. We'll save that discussion for another day.
I had wrapped the kids' "Santa" presents early this year and put them in the upstairs bathroom tub and pulled the shower curtain shut (no one really uses that bathroom much except Phillip and I). Claire was in there the other day with me and pulled the curtain. I told her not to look in there and she said "Dont' worry mom, it's just a bunch of paper."