penn & paper: Christmas 2012

i admit - i've been a terrible blogger the month of december.. this is probably the month when most people take the MOST pictures... but turns out I took the least (i forgot my camera about ten times).

However... I did manage to get a few good photos over the course of our many christams celebrations...

penelope had a great christmas. she has been excited about it all month and really enjoyed all the build up to santa's big arrival. she loved pulling daily "prizes" down from our advent calendar, talking about baby jesus's birthday, and watching christmas movie after christmas movie (lots of rudolph claymation in our house this december)

i was a bit worried when all the parties started that she'd lose steam, not appreciate her presents, or just sort of have a break down from all the drama...

but.. she was an angel. I was SOOO proud of her. she said thank you, did a great job waiting for it to be her turn, loved opening all her presents and for the most part was really excited about everything. i will say that most clothing related items were tossed over her head as she looked for more toys... but what can you expect from a 2 year old??

we went to several parties that all had several people and she was great at them all - frinedly with everyone, sat on people's laps she doesnt see often, played with every body and for the first time really was able to go off on her own at parties..

she would play with big kids, go in other rooms and just not be attached to me... and i'm finally comfortable wiht her being out of my site and just playing with the big kids.

overall she had a great christmas and her really good behavior meant we did as well.

she has already mentioned about ten times how sad she is that santa is gone.... not gonna lie... i'm sad too... what is my behavioral blackmail going to be for the next 11 months??? ( i dont think cupid really holds the same weight)

here a mixture of a few of my favs from the holiday....

first glimpse of santa at a the lotich party....

penny offered to "help" anyone who had a present in their hand :)

uncle tony had the hit present for christmas - a new princess sleeping bag. penelope immediately said she was "a little sick" and needed to lay down in her sleeping bag and watch her sick movie (brave) in the middle of everyone else opening presents:)

i just love her in this outfit :)

penny had a great time hanging out wit the big kids - anthony and ava - she thought she was pretty cool. love this pic of her with her hand on her head like a big kid.