(The first 3 pictures of Christmas: SANTA VISITS)

I took Claire and Lucy to see Santa one Friday morning while Ella was in school. Lucy was mesmerized by Santa. This picture of the two of them staring at each other is probably my favorite Santa photo ever. Claire wasn't in this first photo because it took some coaxing to get her anywhere near the big guy in the red suit. She eventually agreed to just stand in front of him, but as you can see she still wasn't thrilled.

That's right, for the third year in a row I have a photo of a petrified Claire with Santa. Does it make me a mean mom that I cherish this collection of photos (here are links to the last two years: 2008 & 2009) and can't wait to see what next year brings?

Ella was upset when she learned that she'd been left out of the Santa visiting festivities, so the next day we trekked out and found him again at a local store. Later Ella asked me if he had driven his sleigh to the store, and if so why wasn't it in the parking lot? As you can see, Claire finally warmed up enough to sit on Santa's lap (but still no smile).
(The next 2 pictures of Christmas: ELLA'S CLASS PARTY)

Ella's teacher wanted to make graham cracker "gingerbread" houses for the class party. As class mom I volunteered to help, then sort of took over the whole project. I spent painstaking hours (okay, maybe just one hour) cutting graham crackers into the proper shape for the front and back of each house. At the party I had a panic attack when I saw the kids in the class shellacking each piece of their house with icing. I wasn't counting on such heavy icing usage and thought we were going to run out. Then the houses started falling apart because the kids had piled the roofs with so much candy. In the end though we had plenty of icing, the houses were all standing, and the kids had a good time. Phew.
(The next 6 photos of Christmas: CHRISTMAS EVE IN NEW JERSEY)


For the second year in a row (and fourth time in total counting two years when we lived in California) we spent Christmas Eve with Matt's brother Thomas and his family. We stuffed ourselves silly with a delicious feast and then had the traditional Christmas Eve program. With seven cousins running around (or sitting around, in Lucy's case), it was impossible not to have a good time.
(The next 2 photos of Christmas: CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT AT HOME)

Left: The Christmas tree after Santa's arrival. Right: The girls leave milk and cookies out for Santa before heading to bed.
(The next 7 photos of Christmas: CHRISTMAS MORNING)

Left: On the stairs before going to see if Santa came. Middle: (Audible gasp.) "Olivia! My favorite!" Right: Ella, almost lost in a sea of Christmas chaos.
Who would have thought that Lucy would be the first child awake on Christmas morning? Ella and Claire slept in until almost 7:30. When Ella finally woke up we heard her shout "Claire! It's Christmas! Time to get out of bed!" So fun. A few more Christmas morning shots:

(The next 2 photos of Christmas: A BLIZZARD)

The day after Christmas we had a bona fide blizzard that dumped almost two feet of snow on us. Once again, the snow brought out Ella and Claire's true personalities. Ella started crying when Matt suggested he tackle the first round of shoveling on his own. Of course, Ella could not be stopped and went right out with him with a beach shovel in hand. Claire thought she wanted to come out too until she took one look at the snow pants Matt was holding in his hand and turned on her heel to go back to playing in the nice, warm house. She did eventually make a cameo outside for a short round of sledding in the backyard.
(The next 3 photos of Christmas: GINGERBREAD HOUSES)

Left: My house. Middle: Ella's house (with Mom as first assistant & icing specialist). Right: Claire's house (with Dad as design coach and icing specialist).
(The last 4 photos of Christmas: A FESTIVE NEW YORK CITY)

Top Left: Claire, Matt and my mom in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Top Right: Lucy asleep outside Magnolia Bakery. Bottom Right: Ella and my mom in Grand Central Station after their trek in from the suburbs. Bottom Left: Radio City Music Hall.
Last year during the week between Christmas and New Year's, Matt and I spent a night in the city while my mom stayed at home with Ella and Claire. We decided to make it a tradition and do the same thing again this year with Lucy, aka "Baby Who Won't Take Bottle," along as a very chubby and adorable third wheel. The next day, my mom brought the girls into the city on the train to meet us. One of Ella & Claire's favorite activities is packing for trips. It doesn't matter if the journey is long or short, real or imagined. Staying true to form, the girls spent a great deal of time making sure they had backpacks filled with appropriate provisions for their journey on Metro North. Because who doesn't need stuffed animals, books, cars, and a police walkie talkie on a trip into the city?
And that, in a fairly large nutshell, is our Christmas. Unfortunately I wasn't able to keep this post to only 29 words, but it's something to aspire to for next year. I hope all of your holidays were wonderful. And now onto 2011...