It's Christmas Cookie Time! And I just have to say they came out great. We made it a family night this year and it was really fun. Mom and Dad came over and helped us paint our cookies and then we played cards. Here is Baby Girl (not too happy that I'm posting a picture of her) and her Grandfather hard at work. The finished product came out better than expected. And having two extra people here for it made it much easier. It is usually a good three hour project for Baby Girl, her dad and I. This time it took a little over an hour start to finish. And clean up was minimal with everyone pitching in. After we all sampled the cookies, and played a few minutes of UNO, we settled in the living room to watch some family tv. It's times like this that I cherish the most.

When I was my daughters age, Dad was usually passed out right after supper and Mom was busy dealing with it all. I remember putting up the Christmas Tree with her. She always tried to make it a memerable event for my sister and I but Dad would usually come in half way through it drunk and obnoxious. The job would get done and I seem to remember it was always done when there was a Christmas show on the television, like Rudolph or something like that. Dad would pass out and snore extremely loud on the couch and Mom would get upset because he couldn't stay sober for a special evening with his kids. My sister was always bossy and I only got to hang a select few ornaments and if I was lucky if I got a handful of tinsel to hang. Although it is a fond memory, I also remember telling myself when I was older that if I had a family it wouldn't be like this. Tonight I think we accomplished that. It was a special evening to remember and one I hope my daughter cherishes when she gets older and has a family of her own. What strikes me funny about the evening is the involvement of my parents. Dad is no longer drinking, (hasn't for about 20 years now) and Mom is discovering that she can have all those memories she was never able to have when my sister and I were young by being involved in things that Hubby and I do with Baby Girl. This was a good night...and I so needed a good one for a change. Maybe it's the magic of the season sneaking through the cracks, I don't know, but whatever it is, I LOVE IT! Hope you all share special memories like this during this holiday season. Luvs to you all!