The most wonderful time of the year!

What we woke up to Saturday morning..


See that white stuff? That's snow! Yes, I know--- it's a small dusting of snow, mostly on the trees... but seriously people.... WE LIVE IN ALABAMA!!! The place where it's only supposed to snow once every 10 years or something. So why then has it snowed every year since we moved here 4 1/2 years ago?

The kids were thrilled. Mommy, not so much. Maybe that had something to do with the fact it was 31 degrees and I was trying to bundle everyone up to get out the door before 8am. Why? Because it was also Christmas parade day and this year Felix was riding with the scouts. Did I mention it was cold?



We spent our time waiting for the parade to start by playing in what snow was left on the van and running thru the bike racks. And then the parade started, and even though I was freezing, the girls seemed oblivious to it as they collected candy being thrown from the floats. Eventually I did convince the girls that gloves and hats would keep them warmer. I think they still saw the gloves as being "in the way" when it came to candy collection but I was hoping not to lose any fingers to frostbite :).


They were so excited when their brother came by and threw them beads!


Clara wasn't quite sure what to make of Santa on the firetruck. She asked multiple times where his sleigh was, and after he had gone by she said "I didn't talk to him". I think movies and ideas of Santa are one thing but in the flesh she's not sure if she likes the bearded man. Lily was all waves and shouting Merry Christmas! Should be interesting since I think later today we are actually going to go visit Santa.


Once we got home and all warmed up it was on to bigger and tastier tasks--- cookie baking!


We rolled....


We patted...


We cut...


We separated scraps from cookies... (Lily and her OCD tendencies gave her the most evenly rolled and precicely cut cookies of the group)


We baked...


We had a few casualties (for the record---chocolate jimmies and cookies are not a good combo. They roll off the cookies too easily and then the burn! I won't even go into details about that little man's missing leg.)


Then came the really, really fun part! THE ICING!


If you've never gotten the cookie writer icing from the grocery store go get some! It's so easy (premixed) and perfect for kiddos that want to help decorate!


Of course Clara spent more time eating the icing from the tube than she did decorating...

And the best part, curling up with a Christmas movie afterwards and enjoying a few cookies that we worked so hard to make! What an awesome awesome day!