It’s the anticipation of what goodies he’ll leave in their stockings and under theirs trees. And the nervous excitement of counting the hours until dawn to take that first peek. And that unwrapped doll house or bike that may become the new favorite toy.

It’s what makes Christmas memories unforgettable, and thousands of eager Vicksburg children are counting the hours until Santa’s visit tonight.

Hence, they’ve penned their one-way correspondence with The Big Guy.

While her first-grade class wrote letters to Santa, Brittanie Barrentine said Santa comes through the front door at her house since she doesn’t have a chimney.

In the first grade at Sherman Avenue Elementary School, Brittanie Barrentine said Santa comes through the front door at her house since she doesn’t have a chimney.

&#8220I try to stay awake to see him, but I fall asleep,” the 7-year-old said.

&#8220I’m asking for some nightgowns so I can wear them when I get feeling better. Right now I have the coughs and don’t want to get them sick,” she said.

Wesley Blazier is asking Santa for an X-Box and a go cart. Another item on his list was food for people who needed it.

&#8220I don’t need food, but some people might,” he said.

Although headed for Christmas with his grandparents in Tennessee, the 7-year-old was confident Santa would find him.

&#8220He’ll still come there. He knows where I am. Sometimes I just want to go up there (to the North Pole) to see the elves,” he said.

Six-year-old Sydney Linzy wants a bike and a Bella Dancerella home ballet studio. She said she’s been a good girl this year.

&#8220We leave Santa cookies and milk, but he doesn’t eat it all. He’s too full,” she said.

Nearly every child at one point or another has tried to stay awake to catch a glimpse of Santa, but most have no luck.

&#8220I try to wake up, but it never works,” said 7-year-old Josh Burris at Sherman Avenue.

&#8220He’s too sneaky,” he said.

Fabien Lovett, a kindergartener at South Park Elementary, said he won’t risk it when it comes to catching the big guy.

&#8220I don’t try to wake up because I have to be asleep or he won’t come,” said Fabien, 6.

But as most parents know, kids are quick to wake up in the early morning hours, eager to open presents and see how their good behavior paid off in Santa’s eyes.

&#8220I wake up when it’s still nighttime,” said 5-year-old Ella Eade, a kindergartener at South Park Elementary.

Some of the more popular gift requests this season are PlayStation 2, X-Box, Bratz dolls and Dora the Explorer accessories. But there are the occasional requests for things other than toys.

&#8220I want colors because I like to do art,” said 5-year-old Dalton Arnold as he finished coloring his Christmas tree with pink, orange, yellow, purple and black ornaments.

&#8220I want a bulldog boxer puppy,” said Ella. &#8220My daddy likes bulldogs and my mama likes boxers.”

Ryan Grantham, a first-grader at Sherman Avenue, was asking Santa for a dirt bike. But he included a special request as well.

&#8220I wonder if he can come visit. I’d like that,” said Ryan, 7.

But maybe first-grader Tyajah Williams, 7, had the nicest request for the big man.

&#8220I want play clothes and toys, but I just want everyone everywhere to have a Merry Christmas,” she said.