it's my girls' world

Monday, December 17, 2018

Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

Hello, friends! Here are a few pictures of a cookie decorating party we had for the girls and their school friends... so much fun, so much laughter and yeah... wayyy too much sugar. You are welcome parents!

I bought two different types of cookies, ginger bread men and vanilla sugar cookie houses and they were able to decorate a couple of each.

Lots of stuff from the bulk barn and my baking supplies

A hot cocoa station where we served 1/4 cup of luke warm cocoa!

Just a little bit of the food.

My nine year old made a couple of these treats below!

Confession, I didn't have enough icing/ frosting for the cookies-- clearly four bags wasn't cutting it for 10 kids, so I very quickly whipped up a batch during the festivities. All recipes and google for the win!

My reindeer was so excited! She made a little agenda for the party and everything and yeah even got through her list!

Kids ate some and carried some home!

Some YouTube Just Dance to burn off some sugar.

And then a little movie for the older kids and some board games for the younger ones!

It was such a simple party to put together and the kids had a wonderful time. This is definitely one that we'd like to repeat in the future!

Linking up with Biana for weekending

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Deck the Halls 2018

Less than two weeks before Christmas! It's been a while coming but here we are with our holiday decor 2018! Come on in....

But first let's start with outside...

It was such a snowy day which always adds to the magic!

This is the view you get as you enter the house.... ignore the fairy lights on the floor. The elf was being mischievous!

Our foyer is sparkly.

A little dining table decor

We spend most of our sitting down time in this space and it's so cozy. New this year is our wreath, banner and some repurposed stocking.. actually the only thing old from this space is the little house!

And now a little tree magic. I added some mint and some blush this year but it's not as visible as I'd like...

And some closeups :-)

Let's head downstairs for a bit now.

My girls did this hot mess of a tree.

And we end with a little TV fire!

I can't wait to check out some of the other houses for Christmas on Holiday Home Tour link up with Crystal, Leslie, Becky, Penny, Shelly, Whitneyand Keri. Sanctioned snooping is wonderful !!

How We Do Christmas

Here's to Wednesday! Such a busy time of year but so fun... Linking up with Shay and Erica today to discuss all things Christmas and how we do it...

Here's how we do Christmas around here... some of the same, some different but all of it fun!

+ We decorate on the weekend after Remembrance/Memorial Day! We do appetizers or takeout, wine, carols and the tree and it's so much fun! Then I usually take the week after and decorate the rest of the house/put away other stuff so it's not too crowded... but let's face it, I switch things around all through the season.

Last year's tree!

+ We play a mix of either parang (Trinidadian Christmas music) or traditional Christmas carols all day and night long.

+ We usually do some sort of baking of course-- I used to go wayyyyy more intense before I had kids... I also ate way more cookies too LOL. #twentiesmetabolism

+ On December first, we have our North Pole Breakfast with our elves visiting and bringing small gifts. Mama fills the advent calendar and makes a sugary breakfast.

+ I love wrapping my gifts and watching Christmas movies concurrently.... some repeats and some originals.

+ We do some sort of bigger party during this time of year. In the past it's been my girls' night, some times it's been my trini friends and this year it was my neighbours.

+ Giving at this time of the year is especially glorious.

+ I try to do as much as possible as early as possible so I enjoy the season.

+ D and I usually go to the mall, I give him 'ideas' and he chooses from them! We usually follow this with a little lunch or dinner. Kid free of course.

+ We love looking at all the beautiful holiday lights and usually take a drive around our neighbourhood.

+ Christmas Eve is usually spent at D's aunt's house with the cousins and carolling!

+ Since the kids were born, we have never spent a Christmas morning away from home. It's usually us with the kids and sometimes my parents.

+ Christmas usually involves a smoked turkey leg in our breakfast/lunch and fresh bread.

+ I love giving books for Christmas!

+ We switch up our Christmas activities. Last year we did the Polar Express, this year we did a Gingerbread making class, we've done breakfast with Santa... So much fun stuff but we don't always have to repeat it and I'm okay with that!

+ Just like back home in the Caribbean, I don't think Christmas ends after the 25th... the season is long and festive until a few days after New Years. I keep my tree up until Jan 6th!

How do you do Christmas? Here's to a Merry Season!