Mean Ole Santa!

SO, Charlie and I went to the mall and there was Santa and NO LINE to see him. I thought - perfect! I will get her all dressed up this weekend, and Jeff and I can get her picture with Santa done a little bit early, to avoid all the long lines. The weekend came, and we got her dressed up and headed out to the mall. As soon as Jeff sat her on Santa's lap, she had a fit, poor thing.

I learned my lesson though... I really should have prepared her for Santa and his huge mane, beard and devilish smile. We thought we had scarred her for life, because after that day, every time she caught a glimpse of a Santa, or if we even mentioned his name she would start crying. We have since bought a rudolph book, and there is a picture of Santa in the book, and she now will point to him without melting down. Next year, we will need to find a new strategy, although I am sure as soon as she gets to the age where she knows Santa brings toys, she will be more than happy to tell him what she wants, although I am hoping she will also abide by the "naughty or nice" rules as well! Ha!

HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Since this was our first "official" halloween, we decided to go trick or treating as a bumble bee. I tried all week to get her to at least say "Treat" so when we got up to our neighbors doors, she could demonstrate some sort of Halloween mantra, but I never was successful.

We put Charlie in her costume and went outside to find tons of witches and space crusaders running around our front lawn (I guess the kids on our street congregate at our next door neighbors house) Charlie immediately joined in the fun and took off playing with the other kids. I was really impressed to see that her pumpkin I gave her to collect candy in, never hit the ground. She carried that thing everywhere, and wouldn't let go of it! What a good girl!

We ended up hitting a few houses on our street, and she got a few yummy treats to bring home. When we got back home, she had a blast taking each piece of candy out of her bag, then putting them all back in her bag. Back and forth, back and forth! I don't think she knew there were things to eat inside those wrappers. Hey, whatever makes you happy!!

We had so much fun together trick or treating! These new experiences are such a joy.