I’ll admit it… I’m a total helicopter-mama! I tend to do a lot for my girls, and the times I step back and give myself a break and let my girls spread their wings a bit, I’m always amazed by what they can do! Case in point, the gingerbread house we decorated a few days before Christmas…

Did I say “we”? Really, it was mostly them! And by “them” I should clarify that my 7-year old did most of the decorating, while my 4-year old did most of the candy-stealing snacking!

A friend of mine posed the question on Facebook, asking for advice to better prepare for the holidays next year. I offered my two cents, and now as I write this post realize I should have also mentioned buying the completely pre-built-gingerbread-house, ready-to-decorate-out-of-the-box. I usually buy the kind that are already made, but the walls still need to be assembled. And that costs us a day or so as the icing needs to set before the house can be decorated. I don’t think this one cost any more than the other kind, and boy was it a lot easier to work with than having to explain to my littles that we needed to wait an extra day before decorating.

My big girl asked if she could do the icing and I have to say, I was beyond impressed that she was totally in control and managed quite well! She even made snow men from the small marshmallows, adding a chocolate chip as a hat and candy for eyes! She even made a melted snowman using the icing…

My girls thoroughly enjoyed decorating the house and I totally enjoyed being able to watch them enjoy the experience, and I was even able to photograph it! Usually I’m covered in icing and only get the *finished* gingerbread house photos. We’ve done this for the past 4 years and I look forward to many, many more years of this fun activity! What have your little ones or loved ones done lately that surprised you? I’d love to hear!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

PS. The gingerbread house came with lots of candy, but we supplemented with Halloween candy that hadn’t been eaten or disposed of, as well as some stale marshmallows and chocolate pretzels that were on their way out… Fun way to use those up!