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Monday, December 9, 2013

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!

9 comments:

Billie Jo said...

What a fun, festive weekend for you all, my friend.

How nice you and your hubby got out for a yummy meal!

And would you believe, I have never made gingerbread cookies?!

You and your precious babe remain in my heart and in my prayers.

Mari said...

Looks like a fun weekend! I love gingerbread cookies but not enough to do all that rolling of dough.
I think you're doing a good job of keeping cheer in the holidays. Still praying!

Courtney said...

Yes, still praying.
I love District but I haven't been impressed with Camino so far although you make have convinced me with the mention of oreo and mousse. :) Also, I love that pic of Sarah in the background with the beater. So cute!

Kelli said...

Your weekend sounded wonderful!
Still praying for your sweet baby girl.

Aimee said...

Haha! you and my mom can console each other about the rolled dough cookies. She tried and tried every year to do sugar cut-out cookies with us and the dough failed every time, no matter what. One year, when I was about 11 or 12, she finally picked up the whole batch of dough that wasn't working and threw it in the trash and dramatically declared that she was NEVER making them again. And she hasn't and that was 25 years ago. My dad makes them and she's perfectly happy to let him, lol.

Thinking of you and praying too!!

deborah said...

The cookies look delicious! I like making cut outs but they take time, that's for sure.

You and your family and dear baby are in my prayers.

Hoping your Christmas season is very happy and blessed even amid the storm.

Elise said...

I love all the gingerbread fun in this post! I always loved decorating gingerbread houses...especially with red & green gumdrops. :)

I will continue to pray, Beth!

TheRoznowskis said...

That sounds like a lovely weekend!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Berry busy, berry bright; me too! Your weekend looks awesome. I'm so glad you are finding special moments together (as a couple and as a family).
Those cookies are just fab!!!