A weekend update: Busy. Merry. Bright.

We've been keeping busy this holiday season.  I'm trying to make this season a happy one for the kids even though it feels like there's a bit of a dark cloud hanging over us.  Or, maybe, it just feels like it's hanging over me and Dan.  Hopefully the kids don't feel it but kids are pretty perceptive so I bet they do.

Anyway.  Busy.  That's what we've been.

Friday night the kid's school hosted a Parent's Night Out.  We dropped the kids off at school where they got to eat pizza, play Bingo and watch movies while Dan and I went out to dinner.

We headed to the District Rooftop Bar and Grill in downtown Winston-Salem.  It's a pretty cool place and the food was pretty good too.  Even though it was in the UPPER 70s (what???) we didn't eat on the roof  - it was pretty windy.  But there were tons of people eating outside.  We opted for a less windy indoor table because I hate to be chilly while I'm heat. Well, I hate to be chili period.

After dinner we headed to the Camino Bakery.  We both had coffee and I had  chocolate mousse cake and Dan had Oreo cookie cheesecake.  Both were really good and I'm glad we went.  I love doing things downtown.  One of my few regrets in life is that I never lived in a busy downtown somewhere.  I have always thought it would be so cool to be able to walk to work, church, shopping, dining, etc.  Although I'm sure there are lots of things that would drive me crazy - like parallel parking! 

We headed back to get the kids and one of the moms asked if Peter could spend the night at her house with her son and another friend from his class.  He was so excited there was no way I could say no.  So I sent him to a sleepover wearing nothing but Crocs, a tee shirt and shorts. No toothbrush.  No pj's.  Nothing.

The next morning we went back to the school where Peter's friends, who are on the basketball team,were playing basketball and we watched the game.  Afterwards, we headed out into the low 50s weather with Peter dressed for summer and the rest of us bundled up. 

Later Saturday night, we headed to a friends house for pizza and gingerbread house decorating.  It was a lot of fun!

On Sunday after Mass and lunch, Dan and Sarah (and Peter joined in for a bit) made gingerbread cookies. It was the perfect weather for it.  Rainy and cold.  Very cool.  It was in the low 30s all day.  Where did my Friday night weather go??

Making Gingerbread cookies is a Daddy and Sarah tradition.  They bake, I watch and Peter joins them for a few minutes of rolling and cutting.

I am not good at any cookie that has to be rolled out.  I just can't do it.  And since Dan loves gingerbread cookies (with birthday cake frosting, he's a little odd that way) he has to bake them himself.

And it only took 4 hours.  Which is another reason why I don't do gingerbread.

Still early in the process - all smiles and Daddy still has his shirt on!

Time to make the frosting!

Even Peter wanted to help!

Cutting them out is the most fun!

Peter has a Gingerdead cookie cutter.  Notice the bones?

Sarah put eyes and a smile on her gingerbread man!

 And this morning, look where we found our elf Sparkle!

He was hanging in a stocking munching on a tiny gingerbread man!

I think we are doing a pretty good job keeping it merry and bright around here!

Thank you for your continued prayers.  Please keep praying for a miracle for our baby!