It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We have decorated our tree, gone to a cookie decorating party, attended Alameda's tree lighting ceremony - complete with dancing trees, an elf band, a Santa sighting, candy cane eating, and close up views of the symphony playing Christmas songs. 

 Here's our little tree - how do you take a good pic of a tree with lights?!?

 We watched Elf.  Gabriela LOVES Buddy the Elf.  She saw it twice and is constantly coming up with new random quotes from the movie.  Here is our little elf, herself.

 Santa's Little Helper Sleeper

 We also wrote a letter to Santa. Here is Gabriela with Santa. She wanted to be sure she drew the "ringing bells of Santa's sleigh" on her hat.  This year, Gabriela asked for lipstick, chocolate, a book, and if she could please have words in her book.

 

Gabriela named our Elf on the Shelf  Jovie, after Buddy's Love.  Every day Gabriela wakes up and searches for where Jovie has hidden.  This morning, we found her like this:

Jovie and Don Quijote

We also watched The Polar Express.  We have read a ton of Christmas books.  Gabriela's favorites are Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas, The Polar Express, and Corduroy's Christmas.

We still need to wrap presents, bake (more) goodies, visit Santa, go to Tilden Park to see the lights there, walk and drive down Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda, buy a present to give to Toys for Tots, catch a few more Christmas flicks, and just enjoy this fun time of year together as a family. 

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