Santa's workshop

Gift giving this year for us begins a new tradition.  I came across a saying last year that said:

Something you want, Something you need

Something to wear, Something to read

I had already bought my Christmas gifts at that point, but the saying really stuck with me.  I thought about it all this year and really love how simplistic it is and that it truly does encompass fun, surprise, learning, and necessity. By early November, I had my list written out with most of the "blanks" filled in, and felt pretty good about things...until my friend reminded me of Santa Claus.  My jaw hit the floor.  I had completely forgotten about the head jolly.  I wasn't against Santa, but up until now, we had been able to avoid formulating a "Santa" plan because the munchkins were too little. But our Madeline is now in her 2nd year of preschool and well-versed in chimney visitors. There was no escaping.  So, we decided to do one big gift from Santa for each of the girls. 

Here's Madeline's:

a dollhouse kit that Elf Jeff has diligently been working long night hours on. 

This is our first (but definitely not last) foray into dollhouse construction. This is one of the most basic kits out there, and I picked it because it came with furniture too. 

Doesn't it look happy? 

We decided that this was going to be an ongoing daddy/daughter project, and that they would pick out colors and furnishings together.   

Here it is painted; the yellow is just a $1 craft tube and the shingles were painted in our own house color. 

The finishing touch is the address 3 Madeline Lane (she's 3 this year) and flowers for the box. 

I'm not much for gingerbread details on real life houses, but I think this just make a dollhouse.

I love the windows with their little English detail at the top. 

Here's hoping she likes it!

Time to bake!

This year's new attempt:  Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls!

(some cleanup required)

Mom came over for a baking day with the girls, and I thought with the extra hands it was worth a try.  Madeline proved quite proficient at rolling out the dough.  And, I must say, this is a very forgiving dough.  She dug her fingers into it, we folded it in thirds and completely started over, and it still was as pliable as the beginning.  If you like super sweet cinnamon rolls, and would like to give these out as gifts  (they work out to about $2.75 a pan, the recipe yields seven), I highly recommend these.  I made the dough the night before, we rolled it, baked it, and drizzled icing over it until it swam- as per instructions; and they came out perfectly.  She has a variation on it for Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls that has Granny Smith apples for the interior filling, but I have to say that the one that I am most excited about trying is one my sister forwarded to me; Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls .  Of course, Jeff sampled the originals and could not comprehend why I thought they were too sweet. 

a little flour was had by all

Sara got to smear the butter into the dough

We also ate- um, ..... decorated, Red Velvet Mini-Cupcakes, recipe by the girls great-grandmother.  Notice the smear of melted butter on the side of Sara's head from the cinnamon rolls.

What cupcake?  Aren't they bite size?

"Yummy, my tummy's happy, Mom!"

The elusive Christmas picture

Matching pajamas, check!

 everyone look at the camera!

 you stay here

 no, no,no, don't eat the ornament

Oh, wait........, no flash would be better, why didn't I think of this sooner?

Sara, please smile! 

 Here...

 Better?

 I remember reading something about a continuous button on my camera, it's supposed to guarantee at least one good picture...

 oh, yeah, now we're cranky and blurry...

 Yippee...