Christmas cookies

There are two types out there, frosted and sugared. Those who know me know I make the sugared kind, sorry all you "frosters", I haven't been able to change over. But you know mine, in all the favorite shapes, sprinkles on top. Let's see there were Santas, trees, stars, reindeer, bells, holly leaves and angels. The girls plus one friend all helped. So needless to say they are VERY creative! The color combinations are incredible and some have way more sugar than cookie. BUT it's for the kids...right??? With the remaining dough, we took half, colored it red and rolled snakes. They twisted them into candy canes. Now those are very cute!

Tomorrow will be grocery store, packing, wrapping two more presents and maybe one more batch of cookies. The forecast looks like more snow. Where's the almanac? Have we had this much snow before Christmas in a LONG time? I can't believe all the snow outside. We are using shovels to chisel and slice the edges next to the mail box and driveway, some places it is over 2 feet high, given the drifting over the last 2 days. The snow plow finally made a second pass through the sub this afternoon but still managed to leave huge piles in the intersections. Nothing like 4-wheeling in a mini-van. Ooh yah...girls think mama rocks!

And Wed will be off to Grand Rapids. The 4:00 children's mass is a hoot! Just the way I remember, all kids participate in the live Nativity, narrated by Father Stasker (it was father Ernie when I grew up). It is so cute and so appropriate for everyone, including the adults who need to go back in time and "remember when". That's what Christmas is all about. I know we are trying to start traditions of our own with our kids now, but in order to do that we need to go back to the memories that we had, take from those memories our favorites and pass that feeling on in some way. It may not always be the same as what we did, but you'll know when you've created the "feeling". The look in their eyes will tell all and the warmth in your heart, possible tear in your eye will let you know the moment will be remembered. Yeah, that is what Christmas is all about. Heck, that's what every day should be about.

You see the cookies don't look exactly like the ones I used to make (well some do, I couldn't help but decorate some too!) but I sure had fun watching the kids be creative. It was funny how much care they put into each of their cookies. The little things, the memories...a new tradition is born, "making cookies with mom."

Merry Christmas...