Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness. Pearl S. Buck.

We have had a busy week of Christmas activities, trying to stuff it all in! We went to tea with Santa (put on by our town parks and rec) which we also attended last year. It is such a sweet time - china tea cups, Santa and Mrs. Claus, lots of friends and a chance to see Santa up close. AnaSofia was SO excited this year to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas (she also wanted to give him a fish, "because it will make him happy"). But when the time came to sit on Santa's lap, she decided it was far too much and settled for chatting with Mrs. Claus for a little bit.
Sharing tea with friends...

Mom never gives me tea (OR the blue kool aid they call tea here...).

Sharing her Christmas wishes with Mrs. Claus.

My friend Sarah always makes thoughtful, handmade gifts for AnaSofia. So I tried to make a cape for Islwyn (hopefully we will soon have some shots of him wearing it!). AnaSofia couldn't help revealing what it was as he was opening it. She kept saying, "it is a cape." and Islwyn would say, "no I don't think it is a cake, I think it is a Christmas present." Kind of hilarious when those two get together! Can you tell AnaSofia is a "close talker"? It cracks me up, she leans RIGHT IN...

Showing Islwyn her new barn made by FarFar and FarMor stuffed full of animals!