NOT Santa

Christmas morning started with the tradition of opening gifts.  As the youngest in the house, I went first.

I was super-excited to open my gift that came earlier this week.  I've been so good this year.

Hey Santa, did you forget something?  Something stuffie-like?  

So, I think I have the answer to my question.  No, Santa does not drive a UPS van because if he did, he would have brought ALL of the presents on my list.  You can't have Christmas without new stuffies.  Santa, why do you tease me?

Does Santa drive a UPS van?

I'm not sure, but I think Santa just came early.  The UPS guy just came and dropped off a package from White Dog Bone.  I jumped up and down and gave "Santa" loads of kisses and V-hugs.  He didn't look much like Santa, but he left a package that smelled a whole lot like the stuff on my "Dear Santa" list.  I started scratching at the box and trying to open it, so my mom put the box on top of the china cabinet.

I sure hope there are stuffies in there.  Only a few more hours until Christmas morning.  Then, you will be mine!

Racing with blinders on

 My friends and I found a new hiking trail last weekend.  We loved it so much that we went back again this past Saturday.  I think it's going to be a regular hiking trail for us.  

The trail winds through a forest and around really pretty waterways.

Khan, Colby and I had fun exploring the water and riverbanks, and the trail offered great opportunities to play chase games.

Colby (yellow collar) and Khan (red collar)

The boys ran around like mad men, and I raced through the woods the opposite way to cut them off.

I ran and ran and ran and ran. 

And then, I made the silly mistake of closing my eyes as I was leaping over a small patch of leaves.

BAM!!!!

And, I ran smack into my mom and her camera.  Ouch.

 After a day like today, the only reasonable thing for a girl to do is to wrap up in a blanket and lounge in her bed under the heating vent.  Ahh....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Brrr... so cold outside.  Yet, the weather forecast said rain?  

It's about time that we had some snow in Baltimore, even if I have to make my own. 

So I did.  Snow, soft fluffy snow.

* snow created while my mom washed the covers for the two decorative bedroom pillows *

'Tis the Season for Trees and Stuffies

'Tis the Season to be Jolly . . . 

Well, it's that time again.  My dad went digging in the shed and brought out five plastic tubs full of shiny red stuff that my mom started hanging up all over the house.  Christmas carols are playing on the radio, and classics like Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Year Without a Santa Claus, and Frosty the Snowman flash across the television.  My mom is baking cookies, making the house smell like cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.

Our neighbors got together for a "party" on Sunday afternoon to decorate the street.  They had a great idea to string colored lights between the houses this year.

I think it turned out great.  Very festive!

After the decorating party, my mom and dad put up a tree in the house and hung stockings by the fireplace.

I know.  A tree!  In the house!

They won't let me bring sticks into the house, yet they bring in an entire tree?  Hypocrites, I tell you.  Although, I will admit -- the twinkling lights, shiny balls, and special ornaments make the tree very pretty.

My mom also put some holiday stuffies up on a shelf that for some reason are "off-limits" to me.  I don't understand how a stuffie could sit on a shelf and not be loved. 

Dear Mr. Reindeer, sir, wouldn't you like to hop down off that shelf and play?

And Mr. and Mrs. Bear, stop that mushy stuff and come cuddle with me instead.