Birthday Girl & Christmas

After we got home from Mexico, I tried to make lots of special time for Lucie.  Given that the poor kid is saddled with a birthday 3 days before Christmas, it seems reasonable to turn December into a progressive birthday party.  So there was a Mommy & Lucie Zoo trip -

and cookie runs -

We had a girls' afternoon on Nob Hill - we went to Grace Cathedral, the Huntington Park Playground, and admired all the gingerbread houses in the big hotels.  Then we had lunch at Nordstrom's.

It was a much nicer excursion than the previous Sunday, when Mommy had the bright idea to go see Santa at Macy's.  Unfortunately, Mommy wasn't the only person with that idea.  An hour, 2 unnecessary tree ornaments, and a reading of "The Elf on the Shelf" on a sample sofa in the homewares department later, we finally got to see the big guy.

At least there were balloons.

Kangaroos held a holiday pot-luck the Friday before Christmas.  The kids performed "I'm a Little Snowman" for the grown-ups, ate too many treats, and had a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Lucie got a holiday sticker book, the remnants of which I'm still picking off my socks as of St. Patrick's Day, and a recorder, much to Daddy's regret.  Lucie calls it her Toot-toot.  Then everyone sang "Happy Birthday", which she quite enjoyed.

The birthday festivities continued on the Big Day - the nice ladies at the YMCA childcare made Lucie a special crown, which she much preferred to the tiara I spent my lunch finding.  (Too ouchy, Mommy)

When Mommy got home from work, there was birthday cake with princess frosting and pink raspberry filling, per her request - here's Lucie excavating the filling, which was the only part of the cake she actually ate:

And best of all, presents!

The present parade continued, 3 days later, when Christmas morning arrived.  They were pretty excited.

It was actually a really nice day, so we went to the playground and tried out our new stuff, even if some of us wanted to spend the day festering in our PJs in the wrapping paper filled pit that used to be our living room.

Roux even got to have a little fun and hike up to the top of Tank Hill -

Since school was closed, and work remained open, Brennan and Lucie went to day camp at the YMCA.  In addition to swimming, walking to Crissy Field, and a beach field trip, they also brought home a number of projects.  I was asked to photograph the graham cracker houses, so that they could eat them on the way home but still show their work to Daddy.  Here's Bren's:

- and Lucie's:

Winter break is also a good time to just relax and read...and dress up in your brother's old cowboy costume -

- or spend a little quality time watching shows with your new best friend, Daisy the Robot Kitty!