Bronte’s first San Francisco Christmas
It was the weekend before Thanksgiving that our favorite spot to get a Christmas tree, Alhambra Tree Farm, opened. All we could think about this past year was all the traditions we wanted to do with our daughter for her first Christmas, and all to come. However, our sweet little Lemon passed away two days before we went to get our Christmas tree. With hearts heavy, we entered into the Christmas season feeling the loss of someone so dear to our family. We would have loved another Christmas with Lemon, and so we honored her in all the events we did, beginning at Alhambra’s.
While just about 9mo old, Bronte had her opinions on the trees we selected. We looked for signs of her displeasure or enrapture, and we even did the crawling test between two good trees that stood side by side. Being in a new apartment, we weren’t sure if we could go much larger than an 8ft tree, and I had to drag Jamie away from the 9 footers. Ultimately, Bronte loved the trees with a little less branches, a little more blue, and a nice bell shape. Just like her mothers!
As with most things that we hold dear, we had to do a photo shoot early on for our Christmas cards. As our Christmas cards in 2023 were Grinch themed (Jamie was then a pregnant Grinch), it was appropriate to continue the story with a baby Grinch for 2024. And so, covered with green fur and a little boa (as her other mother was Martha May Whovier), we had fun initiating her into this tradition as well.
And for your viewing pleasure: naked Christmas Bronte!
At the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, we did high tea. Bronte played with chocolate Santa as we sipped Champagne and poured endless cups of tea. She partook in our egg sandwiches, and the serving staff would come by with more things for her to play with. Afterwards, we walked through the massive gingerbread house, and danced around the Christmas tree. It is so incredibly special to spend these moments with her - we love the magic of the season. It is the same magic Bronte has brought to our lives, and we hope she feels it too.
Last but not least on our San Francisco must-do-holiday season was the Dicken’s Faire! With friends, we walked the streets of London, danced at Fezziwig’s ballroom, drank mulled wine, munched on chestnuts and candied nuts, and introduced Bronte to my favorite collection of Shakespeare pocket books. It was our first Faire to dance in the kid circle in Fezziwig’s ballroom, and Bronte loved it. One of her favorite things is dancing - she can find a tune in anything.
