Sunday, December 23, 2012

Christmas Cookie Decorating Party



Well, I'm no pro on parties, but I just hosted my first Christmas Cookie Decorating Party for the kids and it was a huge success!  The kids all had a blast and I've already had request to do another one next year!  Wow!

First I invited 11 kids.  I didn't want to be to overwhelm with to many kids, and this number worked perfectly!  Then I decided what were we going to do.  Well, I first was thinking, how are we going to do the frosting?  If I have the bags, it could get very messy on the hands, and I have 3 autistic boys who are very sensitive to certain textures.  So, then I decided, how about the clear condiment containers.  That would work great!!







Then I saw some cute chef hat and aprons for kids, and thought, wow, that would be so cute for the kids to use.  The kids all jump aboard, even the older kids with the hat and aprons.  Loved it!


I made my own cookies with this recipe:

1 1/4 Cup Soft Butter
2 Eggs
4 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
2 Cups Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
5 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Milk

Mix all the ingredients together, and roll out thin with a rolling pin.  Cut in any shape.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet (I prefer the air-bake) at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.





Then I made my own frosting with this recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1/2 pound), softened (but not melted!) Ideal texture should be like ice cream.
3-4 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar, SIFTED
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
up to 4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Instructions
Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the sugar doesn't blow everywhere) until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add remaining sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk 1 tablespoons at a time.


Use whatever food coloring you want.  I also made my own colored sugar, and all you have to do for that is place desired amount of sugar in a zip lock bag, add food coloring, zip shut and shake.  That's it!




I also bought some cute gingerbread boxes, so the kids can put their decorated cookies in it to bring home.  I almost forgot the wax paper, cut up in about 5x5 squares to put between the cookies in the box.

We all had fun, and it went by fast.  Oh, before I forget, we also had hot cocoa that I put in the crock pot about an hour before the party.  I used milk and Lake Champlain Hot Chocolate Mixes.  Served on the side with marshmallows.  It was a big hit!

Here are some pics from the party:










Saturday, December 22, 2012

Day 29: Elf On The Shelf Takes Down Decorations!



I don't think our elves like my icicles.
They tried to take them down this morning!


Brayden yelled, "There they are!"


Tristan said, "I saw them last night, when I got up to get a tissue."


See you tomorrow!


Friday, December 21, 2012

Day 28: Elf On The Shelf Reading Their Favorite Book!


Our elves decided to read their favorite book last night!


Tristan saw them reading the book and said
"Awe, that's so cute".


The whole gang checking out the elves!


See you tomorrow!


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Day 27: Elf On The Shelf Gets Stockings!



Our elves were in a very obvious place this morning.
but the boys could not find them!


Brayden can't find them!


Tristan looking all over, and still can't find them!


Brayden finally turned his head...and there they were!


Tristan ran over, and laughed!


Jayden found them too!


See you tomorrow!


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Day 26: Elf On The Shelf Does Laundry



So Candy was trying to do their laundry, when she seem to
get caught up in it.  Mandy just sat there and laughed at her!



Tristan giggled and said "Candy is stuck!"


Brayden finally found them!


Jayden found them and said "Up...Need Help!"


See you tomorrow!




Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Day 25: Elf On The Shelf Decorates


Our elves didn't think we had enough light decorations,
so they decided to put some up. 
Unfortunately for them...they got all tangled up!


All of the lights!


Jayden looking for Candy & Mandy


Tristan saying, "What did they do?"


I asked Brayden, "What did Candy & Mandy do?"
He replied, "They put up Christmas lights!"


See you tomorrow!








Monday, December 17, 2012

Day 24: Elf On The Shelf Take A Ride


Oh my goodness..what these elves come up with?

They took my son's underwear, some ribbon & a latex glove
to make a hot air balloon ride.


Tristan laughed so hard!


Brayden said..."That's My Underwear!"


Jayden giggled and yelled "Underwear!"


See you tomorrow!




Sunday, December 16, 2012

Day 23: Elf On The Shelf Gets The Sniffles


Our poor Candy got sick...good thing Mandy is here to take care of her.


See you tomorrow!


Saturday, December 15, 2012

Day 22: Elf On The Shelf Wraps Things Up



Yup...our little elves did it....
they wrapped up my couch.


Tristan thought we got a new couch...


Brayden say's "There's Candy & Mandy"


Jayden checking the wrapped present. 
Brayden open the present and said "This is the old couch!" 


See you tomorrow!








Friday, December 14, 2012

Day 21: Elf On The Shelf Makes It Snow!



Today our elves missed the North Pole snow, so they made it snow in our house.


Here are some snowflakes from the "sky"


Mandy getting ready for a snowball fight!


Candy making a snow angel.


Brayden came out...and so OH NO...look at this mess!


Tristan said wow...what the heck?


Jayden..just amazed with all the "snow".


See you tomorrow!


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Day 20: Elf On The Shelf Sip Syrup



Our elves got a little thirsty last night!


Tristan came out first and laughed at the little elves. Then he noted that they 
were drinking the BAD syrup (not the real stuff).


Brayden too laughed at them and said YUCK...that's the yucky syrup.


Jayden...just smiled at them.


See you tomorrow!



Get Free Gifts By Searching The Web!