Santa is scary

We once again tried our luck with lunch with Santa at the Zoo. On the way in, Mathilda informed us that she would not sit on his lap because, "Santa is scary." 

decorating sugar cookies

say cheese!

Just go ahead and lick those sprinkles right off of the plate

fun before Santa arrives

first improvement over last year- she touched the armadillo! She told me later it was "scratchy"

Though you cannot tell from this photo, she is NOT CRYING! She also refused to give him high-5, but still- no crying!

she did get out of Papa's arms for a candy cane

rainy day made for lots of great puddle stomping through the zoo

Highlight of the day was definitely when the baby rhino (or Rhino-saurus as Tilly pronounces it) started calling for its mama, and the mama rhino came running to her baby, followed by 10 minutes of nuzzling. So adorable!

watching the baby gorilla

hard to photograph through the glass, but the baby gorilla is playing with its mom's toes while she tries to rest. I feel ya, mama!

she actually rode in a motorized car! I couldnt believe it! Best 75 cents I've spent

That night we had Christmas with my mom in her new house

she made our holiday favorite- bobalki!

everyone loves bobalki and pierogies!

stroller for all of her babies!

The next morning we had Christmas #2 with a brunch with her Pipaw & Bubs

puzzles!!!!

now if only we could get a family shot this good with Reggie and me in it!

That night was Christmas #3 with the Helous. Leah maybe outdid herself with her gift to Tilly- a gigantic cardboard house you can not only go in, but color all over

Ok, so maybe Leah was a bit more into the coloring than Tilly

fun for the whole family

We head to NY for the "real" Christmas this week. Tilly is maybe just a bit spoiled, but I kind of love it. She came down the stairs this morning and shrieked when she saw her gifts again. Toddler joy is really the best medicine!