Scarlett the Starlet: Fa la la la la la la la la

Chris, Scarlett, Max and I headed down to New Braunfels for Christmas with the Schwegmanns. I was worried about the drive with an almost-two-year old and newborn and expected the worst, but the kids were great, the traffic was surprisingly light, and it was pretty much a breeze.

Grandma and Paw's Christmas tree and the display underneath it drew Scarlett in like a magnet. For the most part, Scarlett was very gentle (most everything under the tree is ceramic or otherwise breakable), and despite picking up a few snowmen, woodland creatures, and members of the nativity here and there when she was only supposed to look or touch, everything remained in one piece.

We left cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer (or at least for Rudolph, the only reindeer Scarlett cares about because he has a red nose). Note the half-eaten cookies in each hand. Unlike Santa's cookies, the carrots were left untouched for Rudolph to enjoy.

Scarlett had a blast singing carols on Christmas Eve at Cousin Erin and Cousin Paul's house with lots and lots of Schwegmann cousins. Scarlett stood in the middle of the room and danced. (Note the sippy cup in her hand. Although Scarlett is normally a water or milk girl, she talked at least four different people into giving her juice over the course of the evening and she was WIRED. She stayed wide awake on the hour-plus drive back to New Braunfels from Erin and Paul's and didn't go to sleep until well after midnight.)

Grandma and Max having a chat with Cousin Meg at the Christmas Eve party (Meg says she owns the same sweater as Max, although I'm assuming hers is not a one-piece jumper).

Max's famous "Look of Terror." This is a common expression for poor Max, whose big eyes often make him look completely freaked out. This look is usually prompted by an overly eager/affectionate Scarlett (see Exhibit A below).

Exhibit A: Christmas morning kisses from Big Sister to Baby Brother, while Baby Brother waves frantically for help.

Checking out what Santa left in her stocking.

Paw, Scarlett, and Chris striking the same exact pose while they examine their loot.

Chris taking Scarlett's new doll out of the box. The doll came with cute pink eyeglasses, which Scarlett immediately demanded that Chris remove. It seems Scarlett's doll got contacts for Christmas. Or Lasik eye surgery.