MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College President Bill Bonaudi said playing Santa Claus for a group of preschool children felt natural.

"Oh, absolutely. I'm a grandfather nine times," Bonaudi said.

Most of his grandchildren either moved away or are grown up.

"It's nice to be around small children who are really excited about Christmas," he said.

Bonaudi greeted children at the college's preschool co-op on Wednesday. It was his first time playing Santa for the co-op's holiday tradition. On Thursday, Board of Trustees member Felix Ramon planned to go through the same experience.

"I asked for a doll with a flower in her hair," said Emily Prentice, 4.

Bethany Tatum, 4, asked for a few items from Santa Claus, including a brown toy horse, three baby dolls and a stuffed blue poodle.

Her mother Amber Tracy, 33, went to the same co-op as a preschool child, where she too met Santa.

Craig Randall, 4, asked for a blue basketball and a Caribbean pirate ship. Randall said he hasn't seen a blue basketball before.

His twin sister Acalla Randall asked for Elizabeth the doll.

"I think he's really nice that he gives us presents," Acalla Randall said.

Bonaudi said one boy told him Santa could decide what he would get for Christmas. Bonaudi asked him if he wanted a doll, and he said no. the most common items children asked for were horses and dolls.

One particularly descriptive boy gave him a detailed description of the Playstation game he wanted.

"He sort of compressed it down to 30 seconds and I think he had rehearsed it," Bonaudi said. Either that, or the boy had it down from telling everyone he came across, he said.

Bonaudi said the best part about playing Santa was watching the children come up to him. Some were hesitant to walk up to him, and others were overjoyed to see him.

Craig Randall and Acalla Randall both said they thought Santa was great, while Bethany Tatum said she didn't know what she thought about him.

"I think he looked good," Emily Prentice said.