Dickens of a Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! We are really getting into the Christmas Season around our house. It's been so much fun this year. I think it's the first year that Maisy really understands the merry feeling in the air. She's been wishing everyone a "Happy Holidays!" every chance that she gets.
This all began the first day after Thanksgiving. We went to Historic Downtown McKinney for their annual Dickens of a Christmas. All their stores were ready for Christmas. They had a Christmas train plowing through the streets for the children to ride.
It was so festive! How could we not get so excited for Christmas time!
Of course, Santa Claus was there meeting and greeting all the good little girls and boys. I'm just glad that Wilson didn't shed any tears this year. He was still quite apprehensive about sitting on Santa's lap. Maisy, nonetheless, walked right up to him and struck up a conversation with Ol' St. Nick!
Brett and I have been covertly content about our opportunity to participate in this traditional ritual so early in the season, because we've really been applying the classic ruse of "Santa Claus is watching you right now--so you had better eat those peas!"
Here is a picture of Brett with just one of the many people dressed up in traditional Victorian costumes. She seemed really excited to be dressed up and Brett was very excited to take a picture with her.
The highlight of the day had to be the marionette puppet show! This talented puppeteer and about 6 of his marionettes performed a charming Christmas show right out in the streets. Maisy of course LOVED the puppets. Her favorite was the ballerina who twirled to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.
She was in a wonderland the whole performance and had to go and meet the puppets after the show. She hugged them each and wished them a Happy Holidays. And so our season continues--we hope ya'll are enjoying this season too!