Do you hear what I know?

One last little snap from Christmas.  Sofia singing, with full gusto, her version of this Christmas carol accompanied by Daddy and Papa.

Merry Christmas

Well, Christmas has come and gone and we had a low key but wonderful day with family.

The loot.

Sofia woke up and well, as you can see, she was not too sure about the whole thing still.  I told her that someone had come and eaten all the cookies and at that she decided she had better have a look.

A fully loaded kitchen (and I mean FULLY LOADED) will wake you up.

And a crib to tuck your baby doll into......thanks Claire, Bruce, Liam, Sabastian, Jack and Molly.

A cupcake for Daddy.

A little help for Barclay opening up his present.  Barclay John had better watch out for this chicken or else it might find itself inside Sofia's oven.

And teaching Jeeves how to use his new scratching pad.

An umbrella for some not so nice winter weather still to come.

Phew.....all this opening presents can tucker a girl out......

A honey bee game where the object it to get as few honey bees as possible.  But Sofia likes it when the bees fall so she plays to lose.

An awesome helper in the real kitchen.  Sofia made these salads all by herself (okay with a little bit of help from her Daddy).

A wonderful meal with an equally wonderful family.

Papa and Daddy giving us our own private Christmas concert.

And a little girl who cannot help but sing along, even if she doesn't know the words.

Preparations......

Food in the front yard for the reindeer.....

Milk and cookies for Santa.....

Carrots for the reindeer......

Placed up nice and high so Barclay can't reach it........

Ready for bed, although way too amped up to sleep......

And finally the truth is revealed.  What really happens to all the milk that is left out for Santa.

Christmas Eve Morning

Christmas Eve morning we had a little celebration with Sofia's friends Peter and Jake. The kids got to open their presents from each other while the Mums and Dads sipped on mimosas. It was a lovely way to spend the morning, but Sofia was pretty much interested in doing anything else other than opening her presents.

Sofia and Peter (aka Superman) share a dinosaur cookie.

Sofia and Rusty hanging out together on the back porch.

At least someone was interested in opening presents.

Jake not so much, but doesn't he look handsome.

And a book for Bubba.  Sofia tucked him in with a blanket and read him a story and this apparently was much more entertaining than opening presents.

Light Walk

Tonight we took the kids out to look at the Christmas lights. We found a couple of great blocks of decorated houses. And as usual, Sofia and Jake just were too cute for words.

Baby Jeeves

So we know that Jeeves likes Sofia's Christmas present although he wasn't too happy when I rocked it. I noticed he didn't get out though. He had better watch out.....Sofia might like to tuck him up just like her baby dolls.

Thanks Wilsons!! She's gonna love it.

The Polar Express

Today we rode The Polar Express to the North Pole. Sofia has watched the movie, read the book and knows all the characters and songs and we had a fabulous time on our very own magical train ride.

The girlie with her golden ticket (oh wait, wrong movie).

One beautifully decorated train.

Our awesome coach staff.  The entire train is run by volunteers and they really did a wonderful job of bringing "The Polar Express" to life for the kids.

And what would a trip to the North Pole be without Geema and Papa along for the ride.

In our seats, ready to go.

Our trip to the North Pole took us via the Sacramento River (who knew that was how you got there) and we travelled it at a perfect time with a glorious sunset.

Finally, the North Pole.  Santa was there checking his list.

Sofia waved and waved and waved and then proclaimed "Santa waved at me".  In her eyes, Santa had been waving directly to her. 

A moment of reflection before heading back home.

And Sofia's very favourite character in the movie is the ghost on the top of the train.  She calls him the Hurdy Gurdy man and she loved seeing him on the train.  In fact, as Santa was coming down the train, Sofia kept saying "Where's the Hurdy Gurdy man?"  And after the train ride she says "He's so cute".  Guess there is no accounting for some peoples taste, huh?

Waiting and watching for Santa to appear. Sofia was a bit aprehensive about just how close she wanted Santa to get.

The man himself.

Santa gave Sofia her very own bell and she heard it loud and clear. She is a true believer.

Sofia's bell put safe and sound in her pocket. No holes, we checked.

One last photo op with her very favourite Hurdy Gurdy man.