Gingerbread House

Addi and Susie started a brand-new Christmas tradition this year...building a Gingerbread House together at Shady Oaks. I've never heard of an event like this before but it was a hit and I think they'll go back for years to come. Jackson will join them in a few years.

The folks at the club had the houses baked, built, and ready to decorate. The seats were assigned (about 4 kids to a table) and they brought out the houses on individual trays with sections full of candies. There was also a ton of candy at each table for decorating and eating. Besides candy, they had a variety of snacks and drinks for everyone. Addi ate popcorn and fruit, drank hot chocolate, and had "a lot of water because of all the candy." She LOVED doing this with her Nana and talked of little else for the rest of the day.

Someone probably just told Addi that she's not allowed to eat the house once she gets it home...

A little fuzzy but you can see how much fun Addi is having.

It was reported to me that Addi personally taste tested each of the building materials available. If the type of candy (gum drops) did not meet her standards, it was removed from the building site immediately. She took her job as building inspector very seriously.

Here it is in all its glory...

Though we love our Germany pyramid windmill thing, it got the boot from the dining room table. This masterpiece creation is now our main centerpiece:

Addi was WILD from all the sugar and sleep was impossible during nap time. Jackson caught the sugar bug by breathing the air around the gingerbread house and refused to nap as well. This was only an issue because we were schedule to take family pictures that afternoon. Stay tuned for a sneak peek and a VERY funny story about our photo shoot with Darsey Bartling (link to the right).

Here's what Addi had to say about the Gingerbread Houses:

Susie: "Addi, what was your favorite part about today?"
Addi: "Eating all the candy."
Susie, jokingly: "Maybe we won't bring your mom next year..."

several hours later...

John: "Addi, what did you like best about decorating the Gingerbread House?"
Addi, exasperated: "I ALREADY TOLD EVERYONE! THE CANDY!"

several hours later...

Addi: "Mom, my tummy is full from all the water I drank today because of all the candy. I'm still thirsty though. It's from all the candy."

this morning...

Addi: "Yesterday I had hot chocolate at Shady Oaks but I couldn't even drink it all because of the candy. Can I have some today with my breakfast?"

You think she ate much candy???????????