Christmas at The Compound

We spent a few days around Christmas at my parents' house this year and had a wonderful time.  Lots of family, food, and relaxation, no better way to spend a holiday.  Before we headed out to the hill country, we had some Christmas to take care of at The Robinson house in Round Rock . . .

On the evening of the 23rd, Mike spent almost THREE hours putting together Olivia's Christmas present from us - her own play kitchen complete with a fridge, freezer, sink, oven, washing machine, and telephone.   When she woke up nice and early on Christmas Eve (please note the time on the clock - 6:30am), it took her a few minutes to notice the kitchen but she was thrilled when she saw it.  For me???

After some milk, it was time to tackle presents from Mike's family.  Olivia had the opening presents thing down this year!

She did stop to pose with one of her gifts . . . 

. . . and read a new book.

This bear tells the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" story while it kicks its feet in the air.  The story is MUCH longer than I remembered but Olivia likes to lie down close to the bear and will listen to the whole thing.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve at my parents' house . . . 

Alvi and John came over for appetizers and Alvi made her famous meatballs.  Delish!

Granny saved the angel that goes on top of their tree so that Olivia could put it on.

And Christmas day . . . 

Trying on her presents as she opens them

Showing off her new chef's outfit that matches her new kitchen . . .

. . . and very excited about her fuzzy robe from Aunt Nina

Aww, I love you Dora!

Time to burn off a little energy.  It was cold and WIN-DY over Christmas so Olivia spent quite a bit of time chasing her ball.  Hey, come back here ball!

I got you!  She's actually got a pretty good little leg on her and can kick the ball pretty far

Time for a break

Looking out the window at the birds that showed to up feast on the bird seed that Olivia put out

It wouldn't be Christmas without crackers and crowns

Time for some more soccer with Paw Paw

Go Paw Paw, go!

You play soccer, I sit riiiiiiight here.  Um, no thanks, let's all go inside.

Thank you to everyone who made our Christmas special this year.  Much love from the Robinsons!

Visit with Santa

We finally made the trip to The Domain to visit Santa the week before Christmas.  People say he's too skinny but he's really nice and we prefer a health conscious Santa anyway.  Last year's visit was not Olivia's favorite day of her life but she is more aware of who Santa is this year.  If you ask Olivia who Santa is, she'll say "Santa brings presents to good boys and girls".  We were hopeful but you never know how a toddler is going to act on any given day.  We went on the Thursday before Christmas at 4pm, which is a perfect time go to because there is no line!  In fact, it all happened so fast that by the time I put the umbrella stroller outside of Santa's shack, she was in his lap and I didn't even get to brush her hair!

Big smiles with Santa

Santa:  What would you like for Christmas this year?

Olivia: A kitty cat

Well, we had to get her what she asked Santa for, right?  So we got a stuffed kitty cat and Mike snuck into her room while she was sleeping and put it in her bed while she was sleeping so when she woke up on Christmas morning we could tell her that Santa had come and given her what she asked for.  Next year we're going to make a list just in case the ONE thing she tells Santa she wants can't be purchased in a modified version. 

Santa this year was a success but here's a look back at the last couple of years . . . 

2011 - terrified

2010 - stunned