Happy December

Well... December has arrived which means that the year 2012 is quickly coming to a close. Yikes!!  I seriously can't believe that another year is almost over. 
We were determined not to let it pass us by. 

First, Eliza and I made these Christmas ornaments at the library Craft day.

Then, we rode on the Old Towne Perkasie Carousel.  This carousel is only open 2 or 3 times a year.  Rides today were free courtesy of Santa Claus who gave each child a candy cane and small toy car after their ride.  Once the candy cane was in her hand, the smile on Eliza's face didn't diminish until long after the candy cane was gone. 

She was absolutely fascinated by the Carousel  while we were waiting our turn to ride.  She kept pointing at the horses and dancing to the music.  When we got on the ride, she wasn't sure about it at all.  She latched on to me with a death grip, and absolutely refused to sit on the horse.  I had to sit on the horse and hold her on my lap; which was hard considering the size of my protruding belly. 

After the ride was over, I managed to snap this picture.  You can see the hesitancy on her face. 

 We rode a second time, but I opted to sit on the little benches that don't move up and down.  Eliza rode with her head on my shoulder the entire time.  For a little while I thought she had fallen asleep. 

 The Carousel opens again on Mothers Day 2013. 

After lunch, Eliza demonstrated her silliness.

After nap time, we watched these "rein" deer frolic in our backyard.  They played for about 15 minutes until the neighbors dog scared them. 

I don't know why this picture is so blurry, but it was a family of 5.  

 

Then we headed to the Old Towne Perkasie tree lighting celebration.  We saw a model train show, ate some (expensive) spicy Buffalo Chicken Nachos for dinner, and walked around the old town of Perkasie. 

 

 Bruce and Eliza standing by Santa's house - it's open for pictures with Santa every weekend until Christmas. 

 After getting some free hot chocolate and running into the previous owners of our house, we danced to the live Christmas music.  I thought this concert wanted audience participation.  While singing "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer," I proceeded to shout, "send them back" at the appropriate time.  To my dismay, I got a lot of strange looks from everyone around me, and Bruce couldn't stop laughing - not everyone was participating to the same extent I was. 

 Eliza's cookie covered kissy face.  Couldn't you just kiss that face all day.  She wouldn't keep a hat, gloves, or blanket on - silly girl!

At 7:00, Santa Clause came to town on the Perkasie Borough electric company truck.  He circled the crowd at the top of the bucket lift and threw down Candy Canes.  It was pretty cool; although Eliza found it much more exciting to watch all the excitement of the other kids instead of watching Santa Claus. 

The night ended with Santa Claus lighting the giant tree in the town square. 

 

 Next year we will know that things don't actually get started until 6 (we got there at 5), where to find more reasonably priced food, and where to position ourselves to get a better view of Santa and the tree - maybe we will even catch some of the candy canes!!!

Even though she didn't care about Santa Claus, Eliza was a bit upset when we left because she enjoyed the music and the people. 

Happy December - I hope that every one's holiday season is a merry one.