Naughty and Nice

With the new found freedom of walking comes the next adventure - climbing. Erin is fighting a nasty cold right now and the weather has been rainy / cloudy so we've been spending most of our time indoors. Although she has a cold it hasn't slowed her down much and has climbed onto and into everything her imagination has lead her too.

Naughty:

I stored her Christmas presents in her toy box and when I went to wrap them she discovered a new hiding place. I barely got the presents out before she climbed in.

Helping fold the laundry and checking on a clog in the sink.

Nice:

Any chance to pose for the camera.

Oh, Santa Baby !

Taking Erin to see Santa this year was a two day event. The first day we scoped out the scene and found out Santa's arrival times so we could be first in the queue (queue, I put that in for you Elise). We also checked out Santa's winter wonderland, sleigh and even said a quick hello to the jolly fella. Everything was looking good for our visit the next day.

The following morning it was raining and a bit chilly - a fine day to visit Santa. Everyone and their Uncle had the same idea. Took us 15 mins to get to the mall which is less than 1Km away and another 15mins to park. We weren't the first in line but Erin was feeling it. She was looking happy, touching all the jolly man's balls (Christmas decorations guys ! ) playing with the elves and watching all the other children jump into the sleigh and get their picture taken. Then it came our turn, I scooped her up and approached the sled; things still were looking bright. As soon as my front toe entered the sled the tears and screams came in full force. I tried putting her in the front of the sled where she couldn't see Santa. One of the elves was blowing bubbles, she was giggling and laughing. I thought this was it; we’re looking good this is a go. Well all of a sudden she remembered where she was and looked over her shoulder and screamed when she had Santa in her sights. It was quite funny actually b/c as soon as she turned back and saw the bubbles she would giggle and laugh and then she would glance over her shoulder and when she saw the red suit the tears would come. This went on a few more times before the queue started to get impatient. We left Santa's sleigh and never went back.

Santa Part II: We finally got a picture with Santa. We went to a store with a more subdued Christmas town - Santa and a chair, very old school. I had to get in the picture with her as she started to cry again, she looks scared to death. Done ! (for another 365 days, anyway).

Here's Erin in a festive mood. She is obsessed with hats, sometimes she wears two. I've had to pull the car over once to put a hat on her and it's the first thing she asks for when she wakes up.
(check out all the fingerprints on the glass door in the photo of her behind- dbl click to enlarge)

Erin doing her best Santa impersonation.