Oh! The Places We'll Go!: A Christmas Story

This Christmas was Ha's best yet. It was so wonderful getting to see her really enjoy the holiday season and witness her thrills opening gifts...and of course the sheer terror of Santa Claus, lol. Interestingly, she LOVED Santas (small plush ones, murals on walls, tree ornament variations)...just not in the flesh!! Da dressed up as Santa twice this year, once for a home visit and once for our neighbor's Christmas social--and both events were terror-filled...although Ha did enjoy swiping his bell during the home visit!

Here is a picture of our family at Melanie's (Gabby's mom) holiday social:

Here is a cutie of Santa (Da) with Gabby, me, & Ha--neither girl would stand near him alone, ha ha! It was crazy when Santa entered the social. Screams filled the night and one little girl even ran into the playroom and started to claw at/try to climb the wall! Santa visits are DEFINITELY more for the parents at this age!!

This Christmas, Hana got to enjoy her "first snow". The local zoo brought in a snow machine and, during a chaotic and mobbed (but fun) winter festival, set up huge snowballs for the kids to play with. Ha was not too into it--and in fact was rather scared! She did, however, enjoy a train ride, carousel ride, and beautiful lights during our visit:

Checkin' out some festive light buoys w/Da...

Cute photo-op...

Bundled up & ready for fun!

Checkin' out the horsies w/Da (all the other animals had already retired for the evening)...

Cruisin' on a friendly giraffe w/Ma...

A look at the elaborate light display...

The giant snowballs! I promise Ha & I are somewhere in all that chaos!

Giant Christmas tree by the zoo entrance...

Speaking of zoos...I'm sure you've all heard about the Christmas Day tiger attack at SF Zoo...That is crazy and scary--especially when we think about the fact that we've taken Haha there several times before!! And to think that last time we went, I was really frightened & disturbed by the fact that the peacocks were able to enter and leave their enclosure as they pleased (I'm a little afraid of beaked animals, especially ones that can fly).

Livin' it up at Kindermusik Family Night! Unfortunately Da was TDY for this, so we brought our friend Sam instead, who is considering getting licensed as an instructor.

Playing dress-up with 'Tunia...

My festive holiday toes. They have this great mani/pedi spa out here where they treat your nails like mini-canvases. Definitely a must for all our visitors!! Bonus: Ha is OBSESSED with toe art! Can't wait to take her for her first session! We may have to wait a bit b/c at present she is NOT big on letting anyone but her do much with her hands. Luckily she let's me trim her nails--but helping her stamp or outlining her fingers is never without a struggle, ha ha.

Trying to stay up during a late-night playdate with the Gabster. Both girls finally crashed around 9:30pm. (We were watching Gab while her parents went to their squadron Christmas party.)

Ha's playgroup holiday party:

Showin' off her pretty holiday gown...

Ha's favorite seasonal goodie (peanut butter muddy buddies)...

Decorating gingerbread men! Ha LOVES icing and sprinkles!!!

Participating in the children's gift exchange...

Petunia being...Petunia. Living life lazily in my Christmas sweater! :O)

Big-girl Ha LOVES her big-girl bed!

Exchanging gifts w/BFF Gabby (Pancake is in the background on the first pic)...

Opening gifts Christmas morning:

A new doll! Haha loves mommy-ing her babies!Posing by the tree...The highly-anticipated Pat-Pat Rocket (Christmas morning was a bit chaotic, so excuse the poor photographs)...Taking Fatty for a ride in her new doll stroller...Not spoiled...just well-loved. The many boxes from Ha's gifts flooding the kitchen floor...

Fun in the sun in the backyard:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away...

Newest member of the family, rescue dog Pancake--who we recently discovered is 2 1/2 years old--not 5-6 as we were originally told!

On New Year's weekend I took Ha to the Southeast Botanical Gardens so Da could watch the Giants v. Patriots in peace. They have a lovely collection of painted cows in addition to some great foilage and water features! Ha loved it!!

Fun at the Christmas display...Fun at the kiddie play area...Feeding the fish...More cows!Gorgeous garden pic...Ha loves her yakitori (chicken on a stick)!A lovely fountain...A very messy car... Ha likes to eat the filling out of Nutter Butters and then throw the cookie parts on the floor, ha ha...Braving some Indian food at Krishna...Pics w/the 'rents & Jolly Old St. Nick...Ha ha! Martin was giving me a back rub the other night and we set Ha up in the family room to watch some 'Steins, marveling at how quiet and well-behaved she was being... When we were done, we came out to find the TV stand, wall, and a wicker basket--not to mention Ha--covered in Desitin!! Priceless!