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| Created by E Tu Designs |
December is all about Christmas! We had a Christmas event nearly every weekend leading up. Here's the Silly Season round-up!
Putting up Christmas decorations was difficult this year. Both wanted to help... in their own way. Eden took the opportunity to sit on the ornament box and Eloise, well, she thought the stockings looked better worn.
Santa's Arrival Parade
We welcomed Santa at a near-by shopping centre. Santa and his friends from the North Pole paraded throughout the shopping centre then stopped for a musical show. He brought with him, snow (bubbles)!
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| Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! |
Breakfast with Santa
This year we checked out a different shopping centre's Breakfast with Santa event. It was a bit more chaotic but still fun with visits from Rudolph and the big man, Santa Claus, himself. Breakfast was a sugar rush of cereal, a gingerbread man and donut to decorate with frosting (which became it's own "course") and candy. It ended with a present from Santa Claus, a rather obnoxious singing bubble machine. Gee, thanks Santa! MissE also received an advent calendar and a goodie bag which she is kindly sharing with me, particularly the complimentary movie ticket.
Pre-school/ daycare Christmas Party
The Inventors put on a concert with fun songs and Christmas Carols for the parents, it was cute and loud. Note to self: take Panadol first next year! Santa also visited and handed out presents to each child. We finished the party with face-painting and food!
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| Nothing says Christmas like The Chicken Dance! |
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| Each child received a new book |
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| Eden has the hang of opening presents now! |
The wonderful teachers received nail polish kits for their mistle-TOES, and Miss Charli (Eloise's pre-school teacher) received an Enjoy Summer hamper with a beach towel, sunscreen, drink cup and cookbook.
Christmas-time in the City
Our 2nd annual trek into Sydney for all things Santa! We had a great time and came back with the cutest Santa photo! We again chose to travel on Family Fun Day Sunday ($5 for all of us!) and made our way in, first thing. We arrived at the
QVB at 9:30am and there was already a 2 hour wait for a photo with Santa! But it was well-organised and she took our name and number to call us when they were ready for us. We then made our way to
David Jones to check out the window fronts. Eloise loved the Christmas Carols and Eden happily watched the puppets moving for quite a long time.
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| Away in the Manager |
Inside, we went inside the Christmas Cave to draw, play trains and talk to "David" the Talking Tree. David actually talked back!
MissE: You know, David, I was scared of you last year.
David: Are you still scared? I'm a nice tree.
MissE: No, I guess not. You are kind of silly.
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| Eloise and Eden with David, the Talking Tree |
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| Lego Elf |
Then to
Myer for a train ride to Santaland. Choo, choo!
By the time we finished, we were summoned back to see Santa. Santa is in
The Swarovski Crystal Garden which is absolutely stunning, boasting 12,000 Swarovski crystals.
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| The Swarovski Christmas Tree |
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| The Swarovski Crystal Garden |
Eloise was so excited for her photo with "The Boss" as she calls him. She happily went to sit next to him and told him what she wanted and Eden wanted too. (Santa then made sure I knew!) Santa's Helpers were fantastic and blew bubbles for Eden and gave him a tickle too. Santa then gave them a wooden toy.
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| The official photo |
We couldn't leave the City without lunch at Food on 5. I tried Streets of Saigon. I love the decor!
Christmas Lights
We stayed local this year and checked out the LDS Church and a few of the well-lit houses in our neighbourhood.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
The day before Christmas, while Daddy was working, we went to see Auntie C's new abode. It was the quintessential Aussie Christmas: too hot to eat and the perfect heat for running around nudie-rudie in the sprinklers.
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| The boys having a catch-up |
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| Sprinkler fun! |
That evening, we had our seafood dinner and set out cookies and beer for Santa (carrots for the reindeer). Mr.E took a calculated risk that Santa was already on his way and helped himself to the cookies. Eloise was not impressed!
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| Caught! White gloved! |
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Mr.E was the first one up... he booked it for the Christmas tree to find Santa brought him a motorbike! He perched himself on it right away... until he saw that Santa didn't finish his cookie so he would help him.
We spent the rainy (and cold!) day with Cousin H and Cousin C for a delicious lunch. Then made our way home for duck, three ways: roast, Peking, and san choy bow.
MissE Says the Darnedest Things: Christmas Edition
"I'm going to smell the carpet to see if Santa's been here..."
Literally.
MissE: Can you help me find this part of the toy?
Carol: Yes, if you watch my drink for me.
MissE standing diligently in front of Carol's drink, staring.
Me: Crying, with laugher.
Boxing Day
Finally, Christmas ended with a BBQ with friends. The little friends enjoyed The Cold Plunge and exchanged Secret Santa presents.
