'Twas the Night...

 

 It's the night before Christmas and almost everybody is sleeping...well, maybe one of us is.  I'm left tired but happy, thinking back on the month and all that we've seen and done.  We've made snowman decorations and peppermint bark for teachers and neighbors...

 

We made some new ornaments for our tree...

 

We made a gingerbread house and lots of cookies...

And we've had lots of fun with our scout elf "Jack" who shows up somewhere new each day and leaves us treats of all sorts...
 He was so inspired by our gingerbread house that he made one of his own and hid some chocolate Santas inside! 

 A new tradition this year was that he left lego pieces each day for the kids to assemble their own sets...

 here is Sisters.   Peanut got a police boat and crook complete with handcuffs but it is constantly in use and not available for photographing...smile.

 We gave to charity and bought presents for a family in need.  The kids are so sweet to want to share.

           We've played games...


             spent time with good friends and indulged in some holiday treats...

And finally, today on Christmas Eve, we went sledding, watched Polar Express and ate our gingerbread house, took naps, read books,

 

...and even got to open one of our gifts early!  Thank you Grandma Gene for our Christmas money.  We got the kids a new game from you and they really like it. 

So now, I guess Best and I will finish our Santa-ly duties... We have cookies to eat you know, ha ha. 

Good night, Sleep tight, and Merry Christmas!

Gingerbread and History

 

A few weeks ago we decided to make some gingerbread cookies from scratch.  Very typical of me I just started mixing before realizing that I was out of nutmeg...well let me tell you we just used cloves (a bit less) and plenty of ginger and molasses and they turned out delish!

The marshmallow Sis is eating was about a millimeter away from the cookie before she reconsidered and popped it into her mouth. 

It all ended up devoured eventually! 

Both kids wanted to decorate cookies especially for Best and he was so appreciative when he got them.  We were missing him as he was away at a hockey tournament that weekend.  Thanks Best for always being so "impressed" with their creations, they love the look on your face. Smile.

Our other Christmas activity that weekend was our annual trip to the Landing for "Folkways of the Holiday".  It is one of my favorite places and the Christmas celebration is one I never hope to miss!

 

It was pretty cold that day but we stayed warm with some hot cocoa and "ebelskievers" as recommended by Santa.  Peanut said they were a little too sweet for his taste but Sis gobbled hers right up!

 

Of all the houses in the village the bankers house is a favorite of mine.  It's furnished as a rich man would've lived and there are always fun antique toys to tinker with.

 

In one of the other houses the kids got to visit with a woman making roll out cookies and make Christmas cards.  The volunteers that "inhabit" the houses on these living history weekends are so knowledgeable about the time periods they represent. The kids always have plenty of questions for them and we all learn a thing or two!

I loved seeing the old fashioned trees.  Not sure how I'd feel about candles on the branches but  the ornaments were so quaint...

The community sing a long is another favorite of mine but wasn't scheduled until the next weekend (forecasted for a high of -8!) so I was a bit sad to miss it.  However, the duo here was friendly and we had lots of fun singing carols with them

and Santa!  Sis moved from her seat next to me to go sit by him.

And then we got this wonderful picture with him in the gazebo.  It wasn't busy at all the day we were there and so the kids had lots of chances to visit with him.  At one point Peanut told me that he knew he was the real Santa because he got really close to his beard and it was real.  He was pretty great and had a never ending supply of candy canes.

Hope your holiday season is jolly and you're staying warm with those you love!