We are finally out for winter break! Woo hoo! I am very excited and looking forward to the next 16 days! Hopefully I will be able to have some serious DIS time during it!
I guess I should have stated it more clearly - Brooklynn and I will be making treats this coming weekend. This weekend, they had their church party in AL. Jill reports that as part of the singing/sharing Brooklynn did a little performance (with the microphone, no less) of Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star with a little Feliz Navidad following.
Are Jill, John, and Brooklyn staying through Christmas? I bet Brooklyn was adorable singing -- we need a video of that!
That cake and frosting you showed is one of the exact treats we will be making, too! Nice and easy, and everything you need right at your fingertips.
It was very easy. We also used some other Christmas sprinkles that I had bought -- we are big sprinkle users at our house. We have some for every holiday. Anything we can put sprinkles on, we generally do.
Sounds like the elves have had a busy week. I could have used their energy at my house in helping me change over the den from summer (Old Key West) to winter (Wilderness Lodge). Yes, it is December, and I am just getting it changed over. I have been so busy and/or it has been to cold to go into the attic, but yesterday, it all worked out well for me to get up there and drag down all the lodge stuff. The boys helped me get the stuff down, but wanted no part in helping me decorate.
I wish the elves would help me wrap presents...hmmm...
The gingerbread house is awesome! I love the gumdrop eyes on the one gingerbread person! You guys did a great job, and I know you had a fun time doing that little project together. I'd say there's a future for both kids at the Grand Floridian gingerbread house someday!
Connor was very proud of his gumdrop eyes. Of course, being Connor he promptly told us it was a Zombie Gingerbread Man.
Our elf brought the same gingerbread house kit!
How did yours turn out?
I'm with Connor about eating the house! I was going to buy one at
Walmart this weekend but then I was like...."I can't eat it, why bother?" Sad I know. So I'm going to bake gingerbread cookies that we can decorate and eat!

He hasn't mentioned eating it much this week -- maybe as it hardens and gets dusty, the appeal is fading.
Those elves are so very cute. I really think that is a great tradition that you do.
Marc & I bought a gingerbread tree to assemble and decorate. I am pretty excited about it!
I saw your photos of it on your PTR -- I think it turned out great!
I can't even tell you about the fiasco (albeit a fun one) we had yesterday putting our house together. My poor little nugget wanted all that candy. It was too darn funny. Oddly enough though, now that the house is together, he will not take candy off of it. I guess I have that going for me.
Good thing I saved some candy on the side.
Lucky! Your DS does love candy!
The gingerbread house looks lovely. I didn't have the chance to do one with the nieces this year, but we had a ball last year doing them. I always get a kick out of seeing how they like to decorate.
I love doing things like that with Chelsea and Connor -- they are so creative (aren't all kids?)
I love the gingerbread house, Jackie! And yeah, my kids are asking me every day when they get to smash and eat it.
I make them wait until January since we celbrate Christmas until 1/6 - I really DO abuse my kids don't I?!
I have a funny story about Kings' Day for you, Lara. The other day at Connor's school they had Christmas Around the World. Connor came home and at dinner said, "Mom, on January 6th you will need to ante up three more presents to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings." In between laughing at his use of the word "ante," I managed to gasp out, "Sorry, Connor, since we are neither Hispanic nor Catholic, you are out of luck."
So far Martin hasn't gotten into any trouble. He's just exploring the girls' toys for now. Last night he took the little pull behind puppy for a walk. Tonight - which I almost forgot to do until I checked the DISboards - he is riding our big Donkey doll from Shrek. DD5 was very excited that Martin tried taking the puppy for a walk while he was alive last night. DD2 could have cared less!

I was going to take pictures last night, but DH pointed out that I'd be done for if the girls catch the pictures somewhere before they've found him. How do you do it? Do the kids let you take the pictures before they touch them?
I do think I freaked out DD5 a bit with Martin. I told her that he comes alive at night to explore the human world. She said something about not wanting him coming into her room while she was sleeping. She slept on the floor in our room last night. I think it was due to the strong winds howling outside, but I wonder if the elf coming alive might have played into that too.

Carissa
How has DD5 been doing lately?
I take photos as soon as I get up in the morning before the kids wake up. That way the time stamp doesn't give me away.