The Kassel Family Project Life 365

Go Ridgeway Elementary Rams!

It was a day of kiddo Christmas parties.  Andy and I had to “divide and conquer,” so to speak.  I signed up to help with Laura’s party months ago, so Andy went to John’s party.  Laura’s party was a busy hour with a stop in every Unit A classroom.  They made a craft, played a game, read a book, did face/hand painting, and ate snowcones!  She had a great time (and I got to make snowcones, which turned out to be the easiest snack ever!)

At John’s party, the kids got to eat snacks (and a LOT of them!), sing songs, and open presents.  John was a little clingy with Andy there, but he still had fun at his party.  Also, John was so excited to get Play Doh as his present!  When Laura and I got home, John was playing with his Play Doh and having the time of his life.

It was a great afternoon for both of our kids.  Laura and John are now on Winter break for the next ten days and Andy and I get a smattering of days off too.  I can’t believe Christmas is almost here!

It was our first snow in 310 days and, despite the nasty wind, it was beautiful to watch it come down.

(By the way, Mommy is enjoying Laura having an American Girl doll nearly as much as Laura enjoys having one.  Matching girl and doll clothes are super cute!)

Sometimes the seemingly dumb gifts are the best (or they show how well your great friends know you).  The Lowery Family got me a “Woozie” for Christmas!  I love it!

This was in John’s papers from preschool today.  I asked him about it and he said, “That’s my official letter to Santa, Mommy!”  Right after he said that, I realized that *HE* had signed his own name to his letter.  I was so excited!  It’s the first time I have ever seen him sign his own name.  I said, “Buddy!  That’s so awesome!  You signed your own name!”  He said, “Yes, Mommy, I do that now.”  He showed it to Andy when we got home and Andy had the same reaction that I did.  After Christmas, *THIS* paper goes in his memory box.

It was Christmas Cookie day!  We made cut out cookies that the kids decorated and the Dothages came over to help.  That is, Andrea and Kathryn helped with the cookies.  Andy and Keith were downstairs enjoying some guy time.  I found this particular recipe for Holiday Bits Cutout Cookies last year and it’s a great recipe to use.

Because the dough needs to chill for about two hours, Laura, John, and I mixed up the dough before the Dothages got there.  I used the mixer because I enjoy letting it do the “heavy lifting.”  The kids think the mixer is pretty cool too!

Once the Dothages arrived, we put the assembly line to work!  I rolled out the dough while the kids selected their first cookie cutters.  They had a great time rotating through all the different cutters (eight in all) and getting the cookies ready for baking.

After the necessary baking and cooling time, the kids began decorating.  Andrea and I iced the cookies and the kids were responsible for the sprinkles and sugar.  I think it’s safe to say that this proved to be QUITE fun for all of them.  Upon finishing the decorating process, our carpet was a sea of green, red, and white.  There is no doubt that Kathryn, Laura, and John made sure to cover every square inch of the icing!

Each of the kids ate *at least* one cookie (I think John ate three…) and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  Around the end of the decorating process, Laura asked if we could go see The Magic Tree.  We “convinced” Keith and Andrea to let Kathryn go with us (it took less arm twisting than you might think) and off we went.  We stopped for a quick dinner at McDonald’s and then headed to The Magic Tree.  As always, it is just beautiful.

I don’t think I will ever get tired of seeing this tree.  I happened to notice the reflection of the tree in a large window across the street and just was more struck by how awesome it is.  I am so glad that the kids get to experience the Magic Tree every year.  It was a real treat to take Kathryn with us too.  I snagged a couple of great pictures of her for Keith and Andrea and even managed to take a good one of all three kids.  It was just a really great, fun day and I am glad that we got to share it with the Dothages!