Gingerbread (Gram Cracker) Houses

For the past couple of years we have made gingerbread houses on Christmas Eve. I guess you would say it has become a tradition. I learned how to make them when I taught kindergarten. I "glue" the gram crackers together with sugar that I have melted over the stove. I then use the same melted sugar to "glue" the houses to the plate. This way they are completely sturdy, and don't move around the plate...not to mention, COMPLETELY EDIBLE!

I then give everyone a Dixie cup with frosting, and a Popsicle stick---then let the fun begin!...

Here they are, frosting and decorating their houses....





A lot of frosting didn't quite make it on the houses...



Here are the finished products.....After looking at them, I really thought that each one really showed their personality, and thought that those of you who know our kids (and even those who don't) if you could guess who made which one?
If you want to play along, look through the five houses (I even made one!), and when you scroll down to the end, you can see if you were right...no cheating...

A

B

C

D

E

The answers (after a much needed bath)...
Aussie: D--most of the frosting and candy ended up on the floor or in his mouth.

Ace: A (I laughed so hard at this picture!...)

...This one was pretty funny, too! You can tell by his house that, yes he is 3, but that he is very methodical in where he places things. He really takes his time on things like this.

Anderson: B He also takes his time, and is very careful about where he places things.

Aspen: E This one really screamed Aspen to me. She ate most of the frosting and just grabbed handfuls of whatever, and just threw it on top. Very much an Aspen house.


Oh, and mine was "c" if you hadn't guessed. I really had fun making mine, too! It is quite therapeutic! Maybe next year I can get Adam to make one...

This was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Azure Meg!

#5 has arrived!

Okay, I have to begin by telling you the whole story...

On Wednesday I began having contractions. I had an appointment that afternoon, and was dilated to a 4. I knew it wouldn't be long, and so did my doctor. He told me to go home and get some rest because he may be seeing me soon. Luckily my mom was already on her way up, because on the way home, the contractions started coming faster and harder. When I got home, of course I didn't take a rest because, well, who can when you gave 4 kids? Anyhow, when my mom got here, Adam and I went for a walk around the neighborhood because, if you know my history, they usually make me do that at the hospital because I progress so sloooowwwlllyyy. I wanted to make sure that I was far enough along for the hospital to admit me.

So, at about 10:00 pm Adam and I drove to the hospital. I was admitted just after 11:00, and progressed slowly as usual. Thankfully for the epidural, I was able to sleep most of the night, only to be woken up just after 7:30 to get ready to push. I pushed through 3 contractions, and out she came! Born at 7:51 a.m, she was 6lbs, 2oz and 18" long. A perfect little girl--our little Azure Meg.

And, by the way, if you were curious about how any of my other labors have gone, just read this again, because they have all gone exactly the same. They have all been born within an hour and a half of each other--weird stuff!

Here are some pictures:

Anderson's first day of school

Today was Anderson's first day of Kindergarten! I think I was more nervous than he was! We all were up at the crack of dawn (as usual), and ready by 7:30 when school didn't start until 9:15. It was a long morning.
When the time came to go, I put Aussie in the stroller, and off we went. Once there, he just wanted to play with all the kids on the playground, and I couln't be prouder. He gave me a high-5, and off we went.
He came home happy, and can't wait until tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Aspen!

I can't believe my little dimpled girl is 4 today! Happy birthday, Aspen! I love you!

You know you're a pregnant runner

You know you're a pregnant runner when.....

this is the view to your shoes. Not to mention that you are perfectly content to run with loose laces.













Most of the the time, you're shoes start out tied because you didn't want to bend over to untie them. Not to mention, they are so beat up because you can't justify buying a new pair until after the baby is born.














Touching your toes to stretch is out of the question















trying to find a waist so that your water bottles fit comfortably is very difficult.

















You plan your run around potty breaks (port-a-potties, trees, neighbor's house (actual picture!))

























Most of all, you feel great!