handsful

The annual Christmas cookie making project.  Same recipe we’ve used since I was a little girl, but now I make them instead of my mother.  Same cookie press that my mom received as a wedding shower present 45+ years ago (works better than any “modern” one I’ve ever wasted money on). 

Two eager helpers, ready to mix! 

Mama, I have a teaspoon!!

can’t help but lick the beaters. 

we’ve never been harmed by raw cookie dough, I see no reason to stop this practice.  Call me a rebel. 

Hey, who is this?  Abbey skipped all the messy mixing and just jumped in for the fun stuff. 

Let’s pause for a cookie making tip!  I cover all of my surfaces with beach towels.  After we’re done, all the loose dough bits and sprinkles get shaken out into the yard.  Easy peasy clean up, and I’m sure the birds love that Christmas treat!   

Marley chose camels…surprise that she’d choose an animal shape, huh?

Time to sprinkle the cookies…

Abbey, one of our more creative kiddos, takes her time with each cookie. 

The first of 12 dozen cookies done, Lainey wants a sample. 

She (and the rest of us cookie monsters) approve whole-heartedly.  Now, to make sure we don’t eat them all before our trip to NC.  My mom is eagerly waiting for some :)

It was luminaries night in our neighborhood last night.  There was a Christmas party down at the club house, which we did not attend.  Apparently, they had Santa at the party for a while.  Here he is walking back to his sleigh..uh…truck.  This is Randy, chasing Santa down to tell him that he parked in our grass.  I hope he didn’t put our address down on the naughty list.  This is a bad time of year to tick off Santa, don’t you think??

Look what Payton and Marley created.  Any guesses?  I think it’s pretty obvious!  Need a hint?  (cue the music) “Who lives in a pineapple…”

This is close enough, thankyouverymuch.  And, don’t expect me to smile. 

Nope.  She’s not a fan.

Taken on the way out the door…the birthday girl wanted Italian, so we headed to a new place called Sarnelli’s. 

Buon appetito!  The girls enjoyed their meal too, but Marley vetoed the use of the photo.  She was putting food in her mouth (gasp).

Lainey was fine with sharing her picture…despite all the olive oil on her face from the scrumptious bread.  If you ever find yourself in Orange Park, FL, you must stop by Sarnelli’s! 

With my birthday “out of the way”, we’re full steam ahead on Christmas!

Abbey regularly grabs little L and whisks her away for a project.  Today they were looking for changing leaves…quite a daunting task here in North Florida.  Luckily, our dogwood tree has beautiful color right now, so they collected leaves from it and other trees and made a beautiful collage for Lainey’s room. 

After this, they went around to find more nature things and made another frame of those.  Lainey adores spending time with Abbey, and I love seeing my oldest take such sweet time with her baby sister. 

As I type, Abbey is pushing Lainey in the hammock swing – wish you could hear her giggling hysterically with her eyes squinted shut! 

I’m so thankful to have a “handful” of kids…

If only her eyes had been open!