Santa Picture's-Take 2

Corte Madera Town Centre has a different take on Santa photo's than most shopping malls.  They have a Santa and Mrs Claus like most, but the photographer candidly photographs the moment with a series of pictures for free.  You can then look them up online and pick and choose which pictures you want to keep for a couple of dollars.  I like it because it captures the whole interaction and not just a quick snapshot. 

Mila greeting Santa

This time I sat in for the photo's so June would keep calm.

After a few pics, Santa gave Mila a book which we sat down and read with him.

June didn't cry, but she was very dubious about the whole situation.

Feliz Navidad

Mila's school had a little Christmas party which included a delightful little performance by Mila and her classmates.

Mila in Christmas antlers.

June in her little outfit that Gramma knitted for her.

June giving Mila a good luck hug.

A snippet from her performance.

California Academy of Sciences.

At Christmas time the Academy of Sciences have a special snowflake room and they host a family of reindeer, so it only seemed fitting that we get together with Cousin Ada and make a festive day of it all.

Mila's silhouette with a fish expression

Watching the rays through the glass floor.

I don't think the girls even realised that there was a fish tank at the end of the tunnel.

June doing her thang.........climbing.

In the butterfly enclosure.

June mad because she isn't allowed to catch the butterflies.

Dawson girls

Snowflake countdown.

Mila loves her cousin.

The Symphony.

Mila and I had a special girls day at the San Francisco Symphony with Michie, Dina, Julie and Aissita. We started with a lovely tea party at Michie's, followed by a lovely performance and topped off with a delightful stroll around the Civic Centre.

Rain doesn't stop her from looking good.

Tea time at Michie's place.

Michie and Mila.

The orchestra warming up.

Mila was too light for the folding chairs.  She kept getting sandwiched every time she leant back.

Mila in front of the Civic Centre.  She was so excited because she had been reading about it in one of her books.  

Don't take my picture.

Westend Nursery.

Every year Westend Nursery here in San Rafael has a Christmas extravaganza. They have a Victorian house on the property that they fill to the brim with about 80 Christmas trees and a bazillion Christmas decorations. We started a tradition a few years ago to pick a small Christmas tree for the playroom and one decoration each. I forgot my camera, but I managed to capture a few pics with my phone.

Hello Snowman!

Christmas snack break.

Train ride!!

Mila chose a Ballerina ornament

June chose the gigantic white reindeer.  Mila got to take her ornament home.  June on the other hand had to reselect.....she did get to kiss him goodbye before she left though.

Mila with the a giant version of her "Elf on a shelf".

Mila's self portrait.

Santa pics.......take one.

We headed off for our Santa pics. I was sure it was going to be a success because Mila was looking forward to it for the first time and June isn't afraid of anything.......or so I thought. As it turns out, complete strangers with big white beards are not her favourite people.

All dressed up and ready for Santa!!

Making friends with the Nutcracker.

Did someone say Cheese?

Sistahs.

I just took a picture of the picture with my iphone, just to send to the oldies and now I can't fing the original, so this is  it!  But we can still see June in complete terror and Mila who couldn't be happier.

June in December

Lemos Farm

Sometime before Christmas, we had a well needed family day and took a trip to Lemos Farm which was a small farm that sold Christmas trees but more importantly they also happened to have pony, train and wagon rides and a petting zoo to boot.

Mila dressed appropriately with Cowboy hat and boots.

June hitching a ride.

Mila's pony was named Cupcake.

After the girls had a ride on the real ponies, they had a turn on the rocking version.

Riding the train.

Prairie girl getting in her wagon.

The farm had real train and wagon rides, but these two had more fun on the coin operated ones.

Rocking horses galore.

Millie get your gun.

This horse was s-l-o-w moving.

Time to feed the goats at the petting zoo.

Mila loved them.

June bonding 

Hitting the dusty trail.

Mila having a turn on the wagon.

Checking out the ducks.

Mummy with her girls outside the jail.

Cheese!