Christmas Tree Lane

A few blocks away from us is Alameda's Christmas Tree Lane. It's an entire block full of Christmas cheer.  All the houses on the block are decorated, and apparently this is a tradition that's been going on since 1938! It's recommended that you walk up and down the block to enjoy the decorations in all their splendor.  Now, we totally could have walked there, but we drove - I was nervous about how cold it would be with a baby and whether or not Gabriela would fuss about the walk.  

When Gabriela woke up from her nap on Saturday, the first thing she said was, "I'm so excited to look for decorations and drink hot cocoa and eat candy canes and listen to Christmas music!"  

It's official people, this is my child. 

Here she is all ready to look for decorations - candy cane in one hand, hot cocoa in the other! 

 

 We went with Heather, Serkan, and Rowan.  See Rowan with his elf hat? I tried convincing Gabriela to wear her elf hat, but she wanted the purple one that matched her jacket instead.

 Imagine Gabriela's excitement when she saw Walter, Kermit the Frog and (not pictured) Miss Piggy decorating a tree!!  

 The elf workshop

 Santa and Mrs. Claus

And to give you a little size perspective, Gabriela and Mrs. Claus

There is something about the holidays with kids that makes them one bajillion times more magical. There is nothing quite like hearing them squeal with excitement at the decorations.  

 While we were there, the famous Dancing Christmas Trees danced up and down the street.  Gabriela asked how the trees could dance, and gave a knowing, "OHHH!!!" after I explained that they were people wearing costumes.  She also asked if they were careful while they danced in the street.  Oh yes, very careful. I was sure to point out the people stopping traffic for the trees so she didn't get any ideas about dancing in the streets herself. 

 

People were selling baked goods and hot cocoa, there was a brass band at one house playing carols, elves were passing out candy canes, and this car (??) drove by while we were there too!

 And every night Santa is at Christmas Tree Lane. Gabriela was so excited to see him and happily climbed into his lap, but in the big moment froze and didn't actually tell Santa what she wanted. She thought about telling him.

    Smiling with Santa

Of course, after we were done waiting in line and had finished our visit with Santa, Gabriela announced that she was finally ready to tell Santa what she wanted.  I reminded her that we had written him a letter, so he would get it and know what she wanted.  Did you know Christmas Tree Lane has a special Santa Mailbox???  Santa even writes back.  That is, as long as you deliver your letter by Dec 18th. Maybe the elves will take pity on us and write back even though we delivered ours on the 19th. Whoops. 

We had a great time. In fact, Gabriela, Easton and I walked to Christmas Tree Lane on Monday night and walked up and down the street before Daddy came home from work. It's so pretty and festive, we just might take another walk or two down Christmas Tree Lane before the end of the week.