Santa Claus came to town

Santa Claus visited Carlsbad on Saturday, and Isabelle had a list ready to go. She's been learning her letters so she wrote it herself, in all capital letters with a couple of backward "Es" sprinkled in. Her list contained four items: 1) For herself, rain boots and a princess house; 2) For Olivia, a snowman shirt and a rattle.

The visit to Santa wasn't as terrifying for Isabelle as in previous years. She was shy at first but I told her she could sit on my lap, and when Santa gave her a red bell that came from Rudolph's harness, she exclaimed "thank you!" and then told him to please bring her a princess house. She even gave him a hug when it was all over.

Of course, laid back Olivia wasn't scared of Santa at all. She sat on his lap and stared up at him with her big brown eyes....probably trying to telepathically tell him to please bring her a lifetime supply of Gerber Puffs and string cheese.