Meeting Santa!

We had Thanksgiving leftovers at Aunt and Uncle's casita which really hit the spot, then headed to the Plaza to watch the tree-lighting and see Santa and Mrs. Claus. We decided to drive and find a parking spot near the Plaza, which ended up being a little bit of a mistake. We finally parked a good walk from the Plaza and missed the tree lighting by maybe 15 minutes, but it was spectacular once we arrived! Because the weather was so nice, the Plaza was full of people! We made our way into the crowds and found the line for Santa and Mrs. Claus. We asked a nearby visitor to take a photo of us and it actually turned out to be one of the best of all of us!

The Santa line moved much quicker than in past years and it was nice not to be freezing in 30 degree weather while we waited. Sofia was super excited to see Santa and told us that she planned to ask for three things: a model of Krakatoa (the largest volcano to erupt in history. Indonesia, 1883), "some" plastic dinosaurs, and a model of the solar system. She wasn't sure what she was going to ask for earlier in the day, but in the past two or three weeks she's been very focused on the solar system and volcanos in general. However, Krakatoa (I'd never ever heard of it before) totally fascinates her. Olivia, on the other hand, wasn't so sure she needed to talk to two strangers she didn't know and was certain she didn't need to sit on their laps. We asked her what she was going to ask for and she said Anna and Elsa dolls (she already has some). As we got closer to the front of the line, Sofia got more excited while Olivia became less and less certain. Finally, I told her that Mrs. Claus had small candy canes that she passed out to kids who talked to her and Santa. I told her she didn't have to sit on their laps and could just talk to them.

It was the girls' turn and both of them were up in Santa and Mrs. Klaus' lap before I knew it! I guess Mrs. Klaus is very disarming to Olivia because she didn't even pause before she was sitting in her lap talking away. Sofia, of course, didn't even blink before she was in Santa's lap. The girls enjoyed a long chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus before they were handed their little candy canes and were on their way.

The Plaza really seemed to clear out quickly so we hung out and listened to the band while the girls danced with Uncle Steve and CK. They all had a great time and loved dancing. We enjoyed just standing around under the lights and listening to the music and I was able to get a few pictures of the dancing girls. We also took some photos of all of us together before we headed back to the casitas and went to bed.

The Plaza as we arrived - it was already lit up and looking beautiful

All of us - the best photo of the entire trip!

Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus

Sitting in laps

Olivia shows off her candy cane

Sofia giving some last advice to Santa

With Aunt and Uncle while having a bathroom break and getting a little warmth inside

Dancing with Uncle Steve!

Sofia and her Papa!

Olivia loved just holding a hand and running around in a circle. Not sure how she didn't get dizzy!

The girls also loved to just run!

All of us together

The girls with Aunt and Uncle

CK and me