Christmas with Daddy and Grandma

Friday evening was Ell's Christmas 'show' at school. (I was told earlier in the week not to call it a program, that made Ell frustrated and nervous. I had to call it a show.) Then sang "I'm Going to be a Little Angel" and "Feliz Navidad" and they all did a fantastic job!
Ell was wonderful! This year she actually sang! That is such an improvement from years past even though she got very bashful and nervous when she looked at anyone in the family. I guess that ruins my plans for being the front row parent for the next couple of 'shows'!
Seriously though, not much is cuter than a group of 4 and 5 year olds singing Christmas songs!
Ell's pre-K class... Takara, Casey, Robert, Ellie, Jayda, Conor, Garrett, Nora, Max, Meredith, Ethan, and Noah.
Margie, Meme, Ell, and Papoo

After all of the singing was over the big man in the red suit stopped by for a visit. Bill asked Ell if she wanted to go up and tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. She looked at Bill with all of the seriousness of a 5 year old and said, "No Daddy. I saw Santa last week and told him what I wanted then. So, he already knows, I don't need to tell him again."
Saturday, Bill, Deb, and I took Ell to see the Nutcracker at the Baltimore School for the Art. It was a fantastic performance!
Ell and I at the Nutcracker.
I made sure that Ell knew that the Claire was dreaming and that is where some of the bizarre things were coming from. Then about half way through the second half she leaned over to me and asked, "Mama, why is nobody talking?" It was interesting explaining to her, in hushed tones, that the music and dancing are doing all of the "talking" but hey, she is a sharp one and told me that she understood.
Bill, Deb, and Ellie out in front of the Baltimore School of the Arts in Mt Vernon.
Quick stop at the market for afternoon snacks... YUM!
Saturday night we headed down to Hampden for dinner at Cafe Hon and to see the 34th street lights.
Ell and Grandma at Cafe Hon.
Mommy, Ell, and Daddy.
Ellie posing with the cherry from her Shirley Temple.
MB, Ell, and Deb at dinner.
Daddy, Ell, and the sweater tree.
Deb showing off her new boots in front of our new favorite store!
34th street lights
Lights in Hampden! They were very pretty but we sure weren't counting on it raining the whole time... Oh well, we all had fun anyway!
Ell and Schatzie taking it easy on Sunday morning.
Ell and Grandma at the "E" hotel.
Ell with her Mommy and Daddy.
Sunday we went to see the trains at Kennilworth.
Then Bill and Ell went to the movies to see Megamind. Deb and I went shopping but we never managed to get past Greeting and Readings!

Presents and thank you notes on Sunday night.

Monday night Ellie, Juliet, and I went down the street and braved the cold to see Santa visit the neighborhood in the firetruck. It was really cold!
Here comes Santa Clause!!
Santa and his helper!!