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Feeling secure in his father’s arms, 18-month-old Stone Lehr was all smiles after his visit with Santa at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston on Dec. 3.

Stone, like dozens of children at the hospital who saw Santa, also was given an Elf Magic elf. The elves were a big hit at the Egleston Christmas party.

“Each elf comes with magic snowflakes that makes them come alive,” said Elf Magic spokeswoman Piper Worthington. “It reminds the children that the best gifts are those that can never be bought. The best gift of all is baby Jesus.”

Stone’s father, Jim Lehr of McDonough, was thankful that he was going to be able to take his son home soon. Stone was admitted to Egleston with a heart defect in October of 2008 when he was six days old. After successful heart surgery, Stone spent more than two months recovering in the hospital.

He was back at Egleston on Thanksgiving Day, his father said, for a hernia operation that stemmed from complications after the heart surgery. The hernia operation went smoothly, and Jim Lehr said he and his son expected to return home last week.

“Things are getting better now. He doesn’t like being away from family, but I’ve been able to be with him on this visit. I know he wants to go home but it’s good for him to be able to do this.”