Santa and Mrs. Claus

09/23/2026

09/23/2026

Storytime with Mrs. Claus.

That's Not Santa by Leonard Kessler

08/04/2026

Time to schedule pictures!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1957ZQsxia/

We are currently booking our Santa Sessions for November and December! Details at the link below:
https://butterfliesofhopephotography.com/book-now

02/22/2026

The last two days were at sea. We met for our ornament exchange with the Santa group, took the oath to adhere to the guidelines of Santa, sang for the ship twice, and shared cards and stories with Santas from around the US and Canada. Very bittersweet as we wait our turn to disembark back to reality. I think we brought a little magic to the Magestic Princess and maybe a smile or two to their faces.
Give me a Ho
Give me a Ho Ho
Give me a Ho Ho Ho
What’s that mean?
Merry Christmas!

02/20/2026

HUMMINGBIRD LOVERS GET READY! The great hummingbird migration has just started...with several sightings already along the Gulf Coast. You'll start to see even more into March across the Southeast and will continue to spread north through May. Get those hummingbird feeders out!

02/20/2026

Santa Cruise Day 6: St Thomas
The last time we were in St Thomas was 42 years ago for our honeymoon. We stayed in Bluebeards Castle and it’s still there but not used for guests. You can catch a glimpse of the turreti the second selfie that we took. I remember opening the shutters in the room and a huge iguana crawled inside! Today, We got a late start and then explored the downtown area. Ate lunch at Cafe Amica more shopping. We found some beautiful batik dresses made by Global Mommas, an artist group that teaches women in Ghana to create crafts to be sold worldwide. Back to the ship and almost as we cleared the bay we had to turn around for a medical emergency. We saw a jugglers show and then Marriage match game show that pitted newly weds against middle and elderly couples. So funny!

02/19/2026

Santa Cruise Day 5: St Maarten
I was sluggish, so Kennie brought me breakfast in the cabin. We joined the Irish entertainers group for Mass and ashes in the Vista lounge. Then we went out to see St Maarten. We shopped in the duty free area and found some cute shirts for the grandkids. Then we caught a taxi into town and walked around. We ate lunch of fresh panini and pain au chocolate in a small deli on the boardwalk. We stopped to tour St Martin of Tours Catholic Church as they were ending Mass and we met Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, SVD, Archbishop of Belgrade in Serbia. He was such a nice man. Followed by more walking. We stopped at a kiosk and ordered “anything” frozen. She brought me a Mango Strawberry daiquiri and Kennie a Mango Passionfruit. Spot on! Then we looked for a cheese store as family in Puert Rico had recommended. Found some wonderful Gouda cheese and a few souvenirs to bring home. Taxi and tram to the ship because our feet were killing us! A quick nap and supper with Santa John from MS and Tom from Harrisburg PA. We were joined by Colter from British Columbia who is doing his PhD on human behavior in those who portray Santa Claus! He is a sweet young man and asked us to join his focus group. We went to a show called Fantastic Journey with lasers, lights, drones, and beautiful singing and dancing. Then off to bed…wonderful day.

02/18/2026

Santa Cruise Day 4: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Today was a day for family! Kennie’s cousin Felo picked us up from the pier and took us to see Uncle Rafi and Aunt Mary Carmen. Mandi joined us there as she is on vacation too. There we met up with Cousins Frances and Jorge. We shared memories of past visits and caught up with everyone’s current going’s on. Mary Carmen set out fresh fruit and cheese and finger sandwiches. We rode with Frances to the restaurant the Metropol at the new convention center. More cousins joined us, Johanna, Jose, Jose Jr, Carlos, and Camila. As per his habit, Jorge kept ordering appetizers one after another and then we still ordered entrees! So much delicious Puerto Rican food. We talked for several hours again until it was closing in on time to reboard. So sad to leave, but promises to return. Even though years may pass before we see each other, I am always deeply touched at being folded into their family embrace. So much love!❤️

02/17/2026

Santa Cruise Day 3 - the Dominican Republic
Started the day limbering up the knee and then breakfast and coffee. Then we disembarked at Amber Cove and took a bicycle taxi into the resort and a taxi into town. We visited a coffee plantation where they grew mangos, coffee, chocolate, guava, coconut, almonds, bananas, and plantains. Then to the Amber museum, the umbrella street, the pink street which is dedicated to breast cancer warriors, San Philippe Apostale (st Phillip the apostle) and then lunch at the Pondorosa! We ordered Arroz con Pollo and Pollo Frite. Then back to the ship to dress for dinnner. Delicious as usual! Then an onboard show featuring Broadway songs, and a quick trip to the piano bar.