We spent several hours of Christmas Eve with the Toddler Twosome so their parents could go to the gym in the morning and later, to a holiday party. There was some cuddling.
And cookie decorating. This has always been a full-family thing done after dinner on Christmas Eve. But times and ages of participants changes things and so it was me and the baking assistants in the afternoon (while the other adult baking assistant in the room took the photos.)
After a near-sprinkle accident, we got our rhythm down. (lesson learned: Don't give a toddler a jar of sprinkles and say put some of these on your cookie, because they will dump the whole jar onto the cookie sheet!).
The rhythm -- I frost cookies and hand some of them off to the sprinkler. Who covers them with sprinkles and eats them.
Meanwhile, our junior assistant's purpose was more as a taste tester. He was eating cookies as fast as I could frost them. His method? Lick the frosting off, then eat the cookie. I was glad I made many the size of animal crackers so it wasn't as decadent as it sounded! (Fortunately, the clean-up crew was under the table, doing their due diligence!)
Time for Christmas Eve dinner. Kevin made perfectly grilled steaks, Molly did a terrific salad and we had mashed potatoes with it. All delicious.
There is something about dinner by candlelight. So soft and gentle.
Of course, it wasn't all soft! I love Christmas crackers! Gotta wear a crown!
This group had particularly good "presents" inside. (They were by Emma Bridgewater -- if I see her brand again, I'm getting them!)
Our Big Guy was very into blowing out the candles!
The next morning brought presents! Big Guy delivered -- and helped us all open our gifts.
Rick and I gave the boys each a tent. They were hits!
Then Big Guy got his beloved Buzz Lightyear that lit up and talked!
While the kids played...
Kevin got breakfast ready.
More candles, more blowing, more play! Grandpa was invited into the tent to share time with the Big Guy and Buzz.
While Molly got the boys ready to head to the next family Christmas, Rick took a little break! This is one of my favorite photos from the time with the kids.
And soon it was over, they were out, we were on the road home. But this is the image I will keep in my mind! The magic and joy of being a child.
We got home in time to get ready for Christmas dinner. Fortunately, I'd set the table before we left.
That tablecloth is from our blog friend Rita at Panoply. Her downsizing generosity is now part of my Christmas decor!
It was mom's china, silver and crystal with some bunny ornaments for napkin holders.
Mike and Kate arrived, Kate bringing the rest of the dinner -- a salad and peppermint stick ice cream for dessert with our Christmas cookies.
That, the prosecco and a few appetizers set us up well for dinner!
I made jambalaya. And very good. I used THIS RECIPE but if I did it again, I might cut some of the spices in cooking and add them near the end or at the table. It was super spicy!
And then it was over.
Kind of perfect, actually. I couldn't have handled more people after the Toddlers and being prepped for Christmas dinner (and Kate's contributions) made it so easy. It has been a very good season.
And now, we're ready for a nap! On to the new year!
Sharing with: Let's Keep in Touch
What wonderful, beautiful memories you are creating with those adorable little ones! And how wonderful to be able to grill out on Christmas Eve in such comfort haha! We do grill as well but it's usually in the snow . . . this year we were blessed with temps in the 50's and even a few days that hit 60 here in Chicago! We actually all went for a bike ride on Christmas Day - unheard of haha! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteOh so many wonderful pictures.. beautiful memories made..
ReplyDeleteYour table is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Christmas had by all !! Those tents are GREAT. And as I was looking thru your pics, I thought to myself "hey, they have the same gray/blue sofa I just bought in August!!". Small world.
ReplyDeleteMay 2020 be as wonderful as your 2019 Xmas was :)
Those are some lucky boys there! It is always easy to get kids involved with cookie decorating. I remember always feeling a bit ill after decorated cookies since I would always eat way too many. Tents are such perfect gifts for kids. So cute! Your table setting is so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMarshalls has a really good selection of Christmas crackers. I saw your brand there when I was buying mine. I discovered various brands, all with the same treats inside.
ReplyDeleteWe had 12th night dinner last night. My under table clean up crew of two worked their magic too. Daughter brought grandpup for a fun visit.
So fun to look back on your Christmas eve. super beautiful photos filled with love and magic.
ReplyDeleteI really love that china. I've wanted a set of those trees since forever. I have one diner plate and one bread plate. It's a start at least.
Looks like you had a fun Christmas. Cookie decorating was surely fun. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteDoing thing with children is so important, important for their development, and equally significant as a sharing experience for adults. I can't remember a time when I didn't work on projects of one kind or another with my daughter. She is now all grown up, of course, with children of her own, but she and I still do the odd thing together. It doesn't help that she is a six-hour drive away - and that is without delays.
ReplyDeleteToo see those happy and intent little faces is pure joy! Both the baker and the taste tester have important jobs. (As does the cleanup crew!) How did you do a dinner after all that? PS I promise I'll take down my tree and decorations tomorrow...I'm really enjoying them!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful Christmas...it is so nice when you can enjoy the excitement of young children during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteThe plates with the Christmas trees on them are so cute, very appropriate for the occasion. Everybody looks so very happy in the pictures. What a lovely holiday.
ReplyDeleteYour table looks beautiful! I love your Spode dishes. I have then also. Rita's tablecloth looks great.
ReplyDeleteYour fun with the kids and then friends looks very nice. I'v been out of the loop for a while and it might be a little longer before normal but just had to say hi.
Cool sweater, and weee, such a cute age the kids are in!
ReplyDeleteYou cooked outside?! Tough guys, you! A colleague makes that for New Year´s Eve, I attended once, too cold for my liking...
And those crowns we had for New Year´s also (back in Australia).
Buzz Lightyear! My Brother in 2000 went to Mc Donald´s until he got one.. for me (great excuse for junk food, huh). To bring me luck. Shortly after I got my job of 17 years. Buzz still makes noise (no battery-change)!
Beautiful plates you have there!
Looks like happy times, also for Lizzie :-)
Hello, the Christmas cookie making with the grands is wonderful, a special memory for you and the two kiddies. I remember baking with my grandmother, it was a time I will not forget. Happy family times and holiday! Wonderful photos, you are blessed. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!
ReplyDeleteSO much more fun with little ones! That tent is just the best! I wonder if I could put one in my doll room...is there room? heehee! Love the cookie making too. Everything is sweeter with the kids! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteJust as a Christmas should be, happy and magical, and full of wonder. You set a very pretty table.
ReplyDelete~~~Deb in Wales
How warm and wondrous. Your table setting was beautiful. And the little guys darling.
ReplyDeleteGot to love Lizzie.
You sure set a beautiful table. I like your "Christmas" bunnies.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteA Happy and Healthy New Year to you! It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas season. Having the grandkids there added to the joy!
I took a blog break in December as I was caring for our daughter after her heart valve surgery at the end of November. We still managed to do Thanksgiving and Christmas but busy, busy. My back answered me with a sciatica attack. Now everyone is healing/healed and looking forward to new adventures.
Well that looks like a perfect Christmas Eve! The kids are SO CUTE blowing out candles, and with their toys, tents, and COOKIES!! Very adorable making cookies. We traditionally eat pizza for Christmas Eve. We have steak, (eat out) for New Years eve. I enjoyed my steak this year for sure. Love all the pictures---felt like I was there.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lot of fun with the grandkids. I spent Christmas with my daughter and I did some baking with the grandkids also. They are a little older than yours. You table looked very festive and lovely.
ReplyDeleteThelma.
It looks like a fabulous Christmas. Those tents are fantastic and those boys seeed to love them. And wow,, you set a gorgeous table. That tablecloth was a great recycle as it looks great with your Mom's pretty holiday tableware. Yup, it was a good holiday and we are onto the new year! Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteCandles are such an important item! They add festivity, warmth, tenderness, light. Above all, they create the right atmosphere, the one we plan to have for us, our family, and guests.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are a feast to the eyes!
I remember when you worried before your first grand..about being a nana:) Well you've slipped right into the role beautifully:)Sucha ute family!
ReplyDeleteAnd lovely home..I do love that pic of Rick too w/ the tree.
You all look wonderful..love that you have friends so close to you that you share Christmas dinner..and that circus tent:)LOVEEE.I remember the Buzz years;)
Happy Year..
Sounds like a wonderful - though exhausting - Christmas. I'd need a nap after that too!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was laughing out loud the moment you mentioned giving a toddler the sprinkle pot. So knew where that one was heading. Well, you'll know better for next time. LOL! In the meantime, at least everyone had fun.
Good morning, Jeanie. It looks like a great Christmas was had by all. Love the tents and I know the boys do too. What a super idea that was. Your Christmas table is so pretty and it is wonderful you have close friends to share the day with. I am sure you do need a nap after such a busy holiday season. Take Lizzie and a great book and enjoy a rest. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Christmas celebration, Jeanie! The kids are adorable, and those tents seem to be a classic. My girls even had them almost 30 yrs ago, and loved them. Your table looked fabulous! I'm saving that photo, so pretty! Many good memories captured here with friends and family.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful memories.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jeanie! So glad to be more back online and catching up... and LOVE seeing all the holiday FUN you & yours had! And sprinkles--YES! The baby grands are growing sooo big... how sweet they are! And TENTS... what a great idea!! (Did you get a tent for yourself? I think I want one! ;) LOVE your Christmas table--so splendid, and those bunny napking rings are so cute. I like that sort of simplicity of the food you had... the ease of the Christmas Eve meal at Molly & Kevin's, and then your one-pot jambalya. I would really like a more simple Christmas! So happy to see Miss Lizzie at the end... All sooo good! ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThe toddler twosome is so cute! So fun to share your tradition of cookie frosting with them! I am sure Paul would have loved to be a taster, too. We have learned about the sprinkles, too. Last year one of the kids dumped a full thing of sprinkles on one cookie. We had a good laugh over it, though!
ReplyDeleteBeing around young kids is definitely exhausting so I can see why you were craving a simpler, quieter celebration on Christmas Day! We had a really busy/fun Christmas Eve with Phil's extended family and kept Paul out past his bedtime, but it was worth it. But I was glad that christmas day was quieter - just Phil, Paul, and Phil's mom and brother.
Lovely and colorful blog as always.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Lovely and colorful blog as always.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Jeanie, what fun but you must have been exhausted. Having little kids during this time is such a special thing. Our's was special too but our "little" kid is all grown up but still fun. Hope you are enjoying the new year so far..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful holiday!! I love your tradition of cookies on Christmas Eve - how fun! And yeah sprinkles in the hands of toddlers....lololol. I've learned that lesson too.
ReplyDeleteAnd tents are so fun!!! Wyatt and I have been reading in his everyday!
Your table looks beautiful. The dishes and the tablecloth and the little rabbits - so festive!
Jeanie, what a fabulous Christmas Eve and Day, children make Christmas so very special. The food all looks delicious and the cookie making is definitely fun. I learned the lesson with the sprinkles when EM was younger. I must say that tents are a hit, I have been playing in one for a couple of months, sometimes it is all I can do to get out. I am so glad that Christmas was Merry and full of love, food, family, and friends!
ReplyDeleteThe tents were such a great gift, one for each.
ReplyDeleteYou and Rich are wonderful grand parents . . .
Making plenty of memories girl!
What beautiful memories for you, Rick and the boys.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the tents will be used for many years. Loved seeing all the photos :)
Sounds so cozy and lovely and now I want a spicy stew! Yummers:)
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have non-traditional holiday eats.
Your family is beautiful as are you.
Big joy to you in the year to come - may this new decade
bring you your best days yet,
Jennifer
Sweet photographs and special memories :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
The Let's Get Lit sweater is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteHope today finds you feeling better, my friend.
What a beautiful Christmas spent with family and friends. It all looks wonderful, Jeanie. The Jambalaya.....YUM! And I want some of those nuts haha.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Looks to me like a perfect Christmas. Oh, the wonder of a child at Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLove that photo! The tents were a great idea!!!
How fun. They are growing up so fast. I love that picture of Rick. Perfect day, perfect Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI got a laugh out of your remark about the clean up crew.
ReplyDelete