The town where I grew up and my parents still live each year invites Santa to town to come mow down on pancakes (here we are last year — what a difference a year makes!). We went last Saturday. And yes, that is the tiniest little Santa dress on the planet. Alice looked adorable when she was in it and sleeping and not trying to eat the fur neck cuff.

Could not care less about Santa.

Is practically peeing herself to see Santa. Lucy was literally running in circles around us while we waited, then boogied on stage around the Christmas tree. She is in love with her gold “princess” shoes, purchased for $7 (score!) at, of all places, the grocery store (gotta love Joe stuff).

Alice is still not impressed. Lucy has gone into what I call her hibernation stage: She’s so excited about something, she almost shuts down. But she talked to Santa, asked for pink presents for her and a pink doll for Alice, and spent a good five minutes with him. (Also from Joe: Baby socks made to look like pink Mary Jane shoes!)

Decorating gingerbread men. Lucy refusing to fully stop what she’s doing and look at the camera when there’s candy en radius.

Closing down the day dancing with Santa just like last year. Happy ho-ho!

Possibly related posts:

1. Breakfast (and dancing) with Santa. With cookie licking!
2. The start of the season
3. From Santa
4. Where Santa’s at
5. Merry Christmas