Santa

We got out the goods to leave for the Jolly Ole Fellow. Ella decided that she wanted to leave 5 cookies and "a lot" of milk.

She also put out the reindeer food that she made at school.

 

On Christmas morning, we let Ella wake up on her own (8:30ish). I was already awake and in the kitchen, so I hurried back to our bedroom (where Ella had gone when she got up) so that Daddy could get up and we could video her reaction. You know, that crazy parental type stuff. I told her that I thought Santa had come to see her during the night (she had totally forgotten) and she said, "I heard him say 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' TWO times! I heard the deers eating their food too." So we chatted for a bit about how neat that was and made our way to the living room.

That's where it all fell apart.

First of all, she was upset that Santa didn't drink all of his milk (he did, but it looks like the small part left in the bottom is simply where he turned the glass up and the remainder fell down in the bottom of the cup...she's a tad anal about things). Then she realized that she had a dog in her pink and purple house (that she asked for) but Kate didn't (Kate had already gotten this same house earlier in the week). Lastly, she exclaimed that she didn't need another "bitar" (guitar). "I already have one. I don't need two." (She has a plastic, kiddie (cheap) Dora guitar, but this guitar was an acoustical like Daddy's....that she's obsessed with.)

Needless to say, Ella's slow to wake (even though we DIDN'T WAKE HER) and eventually warmed up to her goodies. She was then much more grateful...and we were happy about that. I found the whole situation hilarious. Daddy? Not so much...

Santa brought Ella three presents this year. One for each of the wisemen who took gifts to baby Jesus (thanks Jenn). She got a princess game pack, dollhouse, and guitar.

Still a little sleepy...

but finally playing with her stuff!

 

In her stocking she got the "pink barbie" that she asked for (although it was in the form of a toothbrush), socks (as he promised), games for her Leapster, and other little doodads. 

And after opening a couple of gifts from us, which were games, she went back to playing until we got ready for the day ahead of us.