Christmas = cookies

Christmas for me is synonymous with cookies. For those of you who know my family, you'll know why. And although I may not be the world's great cook (nor do I enjoy trying to be creative in the kitchen), I do enjoy baking. Aaron accepts my need to make lots of different cookies, even if we don't necessarily have anyone to give them to, and this year has proven to be no different. I've been working to make a variety of cookies - for parties, for gifts, and just for us to enjoy. But what I have really enjoyed this year is making them with my little helpers.

Alyssa has been right beside as we've made cookies this year. She has cracked eggs, mixed and beaten ingredients, decorated cookies, and more. I think she's both enjoyed it and learned a lot from the process. She's been patient through all of it and has learned about the different ingredients and even a little bit of math.







Lauren always wanted to be right in the mix as well. She loves to do whatever her big sister is doing, and she found it very challenging to not be able to do it all (next year, she'll be ready!). She was, however, able to smash oreos pretty well.





But what both girls were best at is being the taste testers - you can see for yourself in these pictures.









Lauren was the one that you couldn't take your eyes off of during the process. While making peanut butter blossoms, Aaron & Alyssa left some wrapped Hershey Kisses on the kitchen table to bring some over and put them on the cookies. Lauren snuck up to the table and managed to get a few opened and in her mouth before we could catch her. She's quick!

My greatest concern for Christmas is how I'm going to keep Lauren away from all the sweets at Great Grandma's on Christmas day. I can't quite hide them like I do at home, so we'll just have to keep her busy. And well, if that doesn't work, I guess everyone will get to be a witness to her tantrums/meltdowns that results from her not getting her way. Guess she's got my sweet tooth.