Gingerbread Houses

We had a super-fun afternoon yesterday! Ever since we moved here 5 years ago, one of our favorite Christmas traditions has been getting together with our homeschool co-op and making gingerbread houses. This is one of those activities that we all look forward to each year. We actually switched co-ops this year and this wasn't a tradition of our new co-op. But a few of our awesome moms decided to host the event for us...I was so glad! It's much more fun to do this with a group of friends!First, the kids set to work creating a Winter Wonderland. I had covered one of my cookie sheets with foil and they used white icing to cover the whole thing. This year, instead of making a gingerbread house, the kids wanted to make a mini village. So instead of decorating one big house, they had 5 little buildings instead. I must admit, it was pretty darn cute! Now, before you go thinking I made the gingerbread...I did not. This all came from a handy little kit from Wal-Mart. All we had to do was assemble the pieces and decorate them. We assembled everything as soon as we got up (in hindsight, I really should've had my coffee first) as it had to set for 3 hours before decorating.

As you can see, much thought and work went into each little structure...

Ta-Da!

Their little village turned out so stinkin' cute!

Above - Abbi and Bethany

Below - Jacob, Elliott, CalebWe're so thankful for friends!

Thank you Tisha, Mitzi, Kathy and everyone else who helped organize this fun afternoon for us!

Strawberry Picking at Washington Farms

Today we loaded up in the van and headed to Washington Farms to pick strawberries with some great friends. I hadn't been strawberry picking since I was a kid, and this was my kids' first time to experience it. Caleb was not too thrilled when I announced what we'd be doing, since he doesn't care for strawberries. But Jacob and Abbi were pretty excited. We were blessed with a gorgeous afternoon - warm and breezy. Perfect for strawberry picking! We all met at Chik-Fil-A for lunch and then headed to Washington Farms.

I had to laugh at 6-year-old Jessica (in the red, above). About 5 minutes after we began picking, she announced that she couldn't find any strawberries. I had to say, "Are you kidding?! Look behind you, look in front of you, look next to you! They're EVERYWHERE!" I think she was a bit annoyed with my response, but really, they were everywhere!

Above- Tanya with her two boys, Jake and Josh.

Below - Caleb saying, "Look at this BIG one!"Above - Jessica and Bethany

I guess Jessica found some berries afterall!After we filled our two buckets, the kids couldn't wait to clean a few and try them! And oh-my-goodness! They are SO super-delicious!Remember me saying that Caleb doesn't care for strawberries? The above photo is him right after he took his first bite out of one. Crack me up! We got home and cleaned all the berries and got them ready for the freezer. The kids, of course, were sampling as they helped. Caleb ate 5 more and decided they're not too bad!So, you may be wondering what I'm going to do with all my strawberries. Tanya asked me if I'm going to make jam. Jam? Me? I don't think so. Now, I know some of you are thinking, "Come on, Amy! You make your own bread for goodness sake. You even grind your own wheat!" I know...but jam? Isn't that, like, an all day event? With my bread-making, I can get it made, have it happily rising in pans AND have the dishes done and counters wiped in 45 minutes. And that includes the time it takes me to grind the wheat. Maybe next year Abbi and I can attempt jam. I guess I should try it at least once, right? For now, my strawberries will go in our breakfast smoothies.

My American Girl

As you probably remember, Abbi received an American Girl doll for her birthday in November. Each American Girl doll represents a different time period in history. The doll she wanted most was Kit, who grew up during the depression. Abbi also chose Kit because she looks so much like her. Back in August, an American Girl store opened not too far from us and we finally had the chance to go yesterday! They always reveal a Doll of the Year on New Year's Day so we were there for all the hubbub. Abbi's best friend, Bethany, went with us along with her mom and sister. Here are some highlights... Here's Abbi in front of one of the 'Kit' displays. Here are Abbi and Bethany by another 'Kit' display. Bethany got the Nikki doll for Christmas. Nikki was the 2007 Doll of the Year. Notice that Bethany and Nikki have on matching shirts...so do Abbi and Kit. We had our lunch at the food court at the mall and then went back to the American Girl Bistro for dessert. They even have little chairs for the dolls to sit in...so cute! Since we only had dessert, we sat at the bar, which didn't make for great picture taking, but I did my best. Bethany's little sister, Jessica is on the left. The girls each had a root beer float while Laura and I had a chocolate milkshake...mmmmm!

And here we all are! What a fun New Year's Day!

Gingerbread Houses

Every December, instead of doing our regular co-op activities, our homeschool group gets together and we all make family gingerbread houses. It's our annual Christmas party and it's always so much fun! Today was the day! Here are the kids hard at work on our little house.
After much time and hard work, the masterpiece is complete with tree and snowmen (and snow-dog, courtesy of Abbi). Notice the 'bushes' next to the door. This was Caleb's creativity.

Isn't is fun?! So colorful and looks delicious!

Each family has their picture taken with their house for the yearbook.

After all the gingerbread houses are complete, we do an ornament exchange.

Here's our group...Lighthouse Home Educators

Several families had already left, so this isn't everyone.

Here's Abbi with one of her best little friends, Bethany.

And here's Jacob with one of his best buds, Presley.

And here's me with one of my best buds, Leslie (Presley's mom). Leslie and I met at the very first field trip we went on with our co-op when we first moved to Georgia. It was at the Children's Museum in Atlanta and it was a cold, rainy winter day so there were only 3 families that went. Leslie's family was one of them. I'm so thankful to the Lord for putting this family into the life of mine. They are such a blessing to us.

And another of my best buds, Laura (Bethany's mom). I met Laura the first time we visited our co-op and she was actually the deciding factor in us joining this group. Her son, Elliott and Jacob are good friends and her daughter, Bethany (above) and Abbi are practically inseparable. Laura has been a great blessing to me. She challenges me and holds me accountable to the decisions I make.