Snow & Sugar Cookies

It's the most wonderful time of year, but it's also the busiest time of year - all in good fun though.

Obviously I have been absent from the blogging world since Halloween.  The months of November and December have been non-stop with various things going on here, there and everywhere...and this dearest blog of mine has been put on the back burner.

I fully intend to share about the wonderful Thanksgiving that we had, but I still need to sort through all of the pictures to pick a few favorites.  We stayed home for Thanksgiving as our family of three - we enjoyed a yummy feast and decorated for Christmas over the weekend.  I love that this blog documents our life so I will post our Thanksgiving pictures as soon as I am able to - hopefully before next Thanksgiving!

In the meantime, life has been full to the brim, but we are having lots of fun and trying to enjoy all of the wonderful things that the Christmas season brings.

Last week, Parker and I tried a new experiment and made SNOW with two ingredients - baking soda and shaving cream.  It even felt cold and we were able to make a little mountain and build a tiny snowman.  It was a great activity for Parker's tactile therapy (being more comfortable touching and feeling different textures), but he had a lot of fun with it too.  I sure hope we get real snow this winter so we can play in it.

Last Friday we had a sugar cookie party!  Our Elf (his name is Jolly) left all of the stuff we would need to make cookies.   

Side note - this is our first year to do "Elf on the Shelf".  I know everyone has their opinions about "Santa" and "Elves" and what to have your children believe.  I don't want to go into all of that here and now because I'm all for each family doing what's best and right for them,  

I'll just say that we are having a lot of fun with "Jolly" this year - I don't know who will miss him more once Christmas is over - me or Parker?!  I also say that we have talked to Parker a lot about Jesus.  He will tell you that "Jesus' birthday is on Christmas" and he knows that Jesus' Mommy and Daddy are Mary and Joseph.  He also knows how many kings brought gifts and that Jesus later died on a cross.  We are keeping Christ in Christmas, but having childlike fun as well.  

We spent the whole morning making dough, cutting it into Christmas shapes (which was Parker's favorite part), baking and decorating cookies.  There was flour, frosting and sprinkles everywhere - it was a magical morning full of sweet memories.    

I didn't get around to taking pictures of all of our decor this year and doing a home tour - perhaps I'll try next year, but here's a shot of our stockings and Christmas tree.  

Eight more days until Christmas - wow, the season has passed so fast.  There is still lots of fun to be had and memories to make - then we will look forward to 2015.  This past year has been one full of changes, but we are blessed indeed! 

I hope to blog more regularly in the coming year, but we'll see what life has to say about that.  I'll be back when I can, but know if I'm not here I'm enjoying these days with my two boys.

Until we meet again...
Riley