Santa 's Swarovski Crystal Garden at QVB

It is not often as an adult that the pure magic of a Christmas tree takes your breath away.

Yesterday, amidst the heart stopping drama of my blog being removed for no known reason , we had a date with Santa. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced.

My boys have always loved Santa though the expressions on their faces at six months were like "who is this big dude" and why is he dressed in a red jump suit.

This year got to whisper their wishes to a real 'white' bearded Santa Claus ...I think Santa got a shock to see kids throwing themselves at him bursting with excitement . This is our official photo.

Santa sits on his crystal encrusted throne with pure white Huskies at his feet . Above him are suspended crystals , he is surrounded by crystal flowers and butterflies.

Sam & Joel were dazzled by the Christmas tree too ... we just stopped Joel from trying to launch himself up the balustrade (and thank God not over it...) for a better look.

 

We were invited by One Green Bean to visit Santa Claus in his Swarovski Crystal Garden, on level 2 under the huge centre dome in the QVB. The Queen Victoria Building has been a famous Sydney icon since 1898 with a chequered history.

In recent years the entire building with it's elaborate Romanesque architecture, turrets and domes underwent significant restoration reopening in 1986. A further $48 million refurbishment was finally completed in 2009...It's stunning.

It is magnificent building, of unsurpassed grandeur . I still can't believe it is the first time Santa has made an appearance at QVB.The QVB was buzzing with Christmas shoppers, heavy laden with bags and crystal stars in their eyes.

The Swarovski Christmas Tree is a sight to behold. It soars up to the centre dome, spanning the three levels. At 24ft high , is draped with 144,000 Swarovski crystal ornaments and 60,000 twinkling lights, and a giant Swarovski crystal star atop. (Security are everywhere just in case you are wondering.)

 

 

 

Bathed in a soft, silvery light is the hand crafted crystal winter 'trellis' garden.  A blue fairy and Toy soldier offer candy canes and a chocolate ...they quickly put children at ease.

 

Nearby are real live reindeers which Sam & Joel got to feed . It's a wonderland that dazzles parents and children alike.

The QVC has really embraced Christmas magic with fairy lights adorning the balustrades and decorations everywhere.

We got a sneak preview, Santa Claus - officially arrives on Monday November 28th. So keep your eyes on the roof (of course) of the Queen Victoria Building. Santa will be waiting to see your kids every day up to (and including) Christmas Eve. You can get your Christmas shopping lists wrapped up at the same time as having a special family experience.

Please check the QVB website for more information about opening times and Santa visiting hours. QVB is located right near Town Hall station or the QVB has underground parking for 700 cars.

This is not a sponsored post , all opinions are my own . We were invited guests of One Green Bean and there was no obligation to blog about our Santa visit. 

♥

Wordless Wednesday #13- Aussie Santa ...

Santa in Australia on Christmas day

I liked this funny one too but don't want to scare the kids

Heads or Tails .... Three

Skittles has chosen Three this week.
I will try to keep it short (er)

1. I have three memes I have been tagged for that are a work in progress ... I will try (tri) to finish in the next three weeks.
2. I have three sons ... two of my sons have three names (not including their surnames)
   
3. The genie gives three wishes ...I am not sure about the limit on Santa's wish list but I received this email today .I already saw it posted on a parenting forum and I was going to use it. So please take three minutes to read and enjoy ...
   

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mum all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold (eaten) sixty-two cases (152 bars) of chocolate bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground (playgroup toys). I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any colour, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child (twins) out of the lolly aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last(twin) pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mummy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare tomato sauce a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer (button) on the dryer is ringing(broken) and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, MUM...!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children happy, healthy and always believing

4. I read tonight about using the 1.2..3... countdown to discipline

1. Mummy is getting a little cross
2. Mummy is crosser
3. Mummy is really cross Ok ... timeout.

(Comments are my own ... )

Problem is the babies can't count and the only place for safe timeout is the cot ... hubby said won't it make them confused about the cot?
.... I said the naughty chair/mat ? (we need three). I said it works for the Super Nanny. Then he said I bet she uses the wooden spoon in the commercials.

We are still working on this one...

5.Three babies = triplets ... I cannot imagine it . The last three weeks I have been minding another little 1 yr old boy for an hour or so (once a week). He is very quiet but having three little toddlers is nerve racking.
Go check a few triplet blogs if you think your have it hard. I do on a bad day and I come away ... grateful for my double delight (ful).

6. Less than Three weeks to Christmas day