Fa-la-la

It never feels like Christmas until the tree is up and trimmed. Last year Sophia didn't really understand the tree trimming. But she had a blast this time! As we listened to Barenaked Ladies Christmas music (If you haven't heard this, I highly recommend it! Green Christmas & Elf's Lament are two of my faves), we unwrapped our ornaments. Since Larry and I got married, we started to buy each other an ornament every year. It sounds hokey, but when we unwrap them, it does bring back memories. We haven't gotten this year's ornaments yet, but I'm inspired to get wood cutouts and paint them.

This year instead of having friends over just to trim the tree, we also decorated gingerbread houses. I'm waaaay to busy to bake gingerbread so we used graham crackers! This is a really good way to kids to make their own. I made the royal icing (the house glue or spackle)--which takes FOREVER with a hand mixer. I've drooled over a stand mixer but can't justify it nor do I have the space. Larry picked up some graham crackers and everyone else brought their fave candies. I think more candy ended up in our stomachs than our gingerbread houses. But that's what it's all about!

Sophia had a blast decorating, but I think the adults had the most fun. I don't remember the last time I laughed so much I almost wet my pants. Decorating the houses brought the child out of everyone. Why don't we do that more often? I mean as adults, we're always so serious. Just to sit down and do a fun, no pressure project.

BTW, I knew Sophia was going to eat a lot of candy; I mean, how could she resist with it all in front of her. She spent the evening literally running in circles! Out the living room, through the kitchen and back around! LOL.