getting ready for the BIG day

There are some things we have done the last few Christmases and have become traditions. I always let them make a big bowl of "reindeer munch," it's actually a holiday trail mix for the kids. It has all the essentials: popcorn, marshmallows, red and green M&M's, and pretzels (however, I used salty goldfish this year). Regardless, the kids like to pour each thing and mix it up. They work on that while Mom and I prepare Christmas Eve dinner.

mixing

he is supposed to be adding the marshmallows to the bowl, but if you look closely you can see a small white puff sticking out of his mouth

still adding marshmallows

all done

Now it was time for Gingerbread house 101

Now usually I buy the ones that are pre-assembled, but this year for some CRAZY reason I purchased the one that required us to actually construct the house.

Last thing on the Christmas Eve agenda: leave cookies and egg nog for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph and then say goodbye to Ernie, our visiting Elf. See ya next December 1st.