Growing up we ALWAYS made sugar cookies for Christmas. Pressed in shaped cookie cutters with just the right amount of flour and dough. I swear we made hundreds of these delicious cookies. Aunt Judy made it look easy.
Ever since I've been a mom I've tried to replicate these cookies. When my nephews lived close I tried to make sugar cookies a tradition for the next generation. I wanted (and still want) to be the "Aunt Judy". Since they moved away this past year I wasn't going to give up making the cookies, but there is just something about making cookies with more than just 2 people (Oshyn and I).
Last week I decided it was time to make some sugar cookies. I use her recipe tweaked a little to make it GF. I haven't quite figured out how to make them GF and roll able, so they aren't in the famous and wonderful Christmas tree, reindeer, star or candy cane shapes that I dream of from my youth :) ...they are all round--I like to think of them as Christmas balls on the tree or even Rudolph's nose. Well anyway, when it came time to decorate, the neighborhood boys (aka Oshyn's football buddies) had just knocked on our door and one by one we invited Fabian, Joel and Anthony in to decorate with us. I wanted more people right?
I am still amazed at how Aunt Judy just gave us tubs of frosting, all the decorating sprinkles and just let us go at it. She never got mad at us for putting too much frosting or too many sprinkles or for licking our fingers. We just had a good 'ol time. I don't know any AZ cousin of mine that doesn't have fond memories of this glorious tradition.
So back to me. I set a big bowl of green frosting in front of the boys and all of the sprinkles we own in front of them on the table and let them have at it.
This is what became of it...
Kind of funny to me. Looks just like the creativity my brother (the only younger boy cousin) had when decorating cookies.
The idea was to have them all decorate 4 or so (we didn't have hundreds...only about 2 dozen), take one to eat and then just have the decorated leftovers for later. Well, its one thing to see your own kid (or nieces and nephew) lick his knife and then keep dipping, but the dirty sweaty neighborhood buddies licking?! Couldn't do it. I told them to just eat ALL of the cookies they decorated and then sent them on their way. Nothing to show for the day except a smiling Oshyn walking out to play football saying, "Thanks Mom". Totally worth it.
When we described our upcoming afternoon events to Oshyn, he immediately NEEDED to put on his pirate suit. What could be more appropriate for our "treasure hunt" aka. letterboxing adventure? After following the detailed instructions, we arrived within view of General Mills to find the 'Cheerios' treasure. (See hands and forehead). A great way to make a walk/hike more fun for everyone. We got great rubbernecking from cars the whole way home. Maybe it was the big pirate walking in front with his red punching gloves on? with an Ariel-like princess or possibly the shorter pirate strolling along singing "Ho ho, Ho Ho Pirates!" I hope everyone is having as much fun being parents as we are.
We started the tradition 3 years ago, to run (or walk...or strut) a race on Thanksgiving no matter where we are. Just figure its a good way to start out the glutinous day and fun to start our own family traditions. 
and this year Novato, got these turkeys trotting. Oshyn has always been pumped to do races--the kids portion was a mile this year and he worked it. I apologize for thinking it must have been shorter because he didn't even cry or want a piggie back ride. 
Cruz was just ready to "det owwt" of the stroller...sorry kiddo, you will have your chance guido. 
