Ready or Not . . .

. . . Christmas is on its way!! 

I know Christmas is almost here when my kitchen turns into the equivalent of Santa's Sweet Shop.  And every cookie sheet, cutting board, tray and flat surface is lined with wax paper and covered with pretzels and gingersnaps.

A tradition that I was hoping to skip this year, but there are some traditions that the rest of the family doesn't want to do without. I think my kitchen is still struggling to catch up on dishes since last  weekends activities.

And there is nothing like making a gingerbread house to help you get in the mood for Christmas.  Elizabeth and Rachel each made one at Girl Scouts a couple of weeks ago.  I think they are the cutest miniature gingerbread (graham crackers) houses. They had as much fun decorating the yard as they did decorating the house.

But our home is blessed with not just two gingerbread houses this year. . . but three!

Sarah made one at story time at the library.  She was so funny, before she would put the candy on the house she had to take a bite of it first.  So her house is decorated with gum drop halves, halves of fruit loops, and mini marshmallow halves.

Before I know it we will be reading Luke 2 as a family and leaving a plate of cinnamon rolls and a cup of hot chocolate out for the guy in the big red suit. 

I think I am almost ready (just one more blanket to finish), but there are some things that may not get done in time, like the annual Strong Family Christmas Letter. Oh well, if it's going to happen it will have to be a New Years Letter. Better late than never, right?!

Merry Christmas!