Our first gingerbread house!

When Isabella turned one, I had a realization that she was growing up way too fast, and that I didn't have the time that I felt I needed with both her and Elias. I almost quit work entirely but then realized that my job is my OTHER baby, and I love what I do, and couldn't give it up entirely and feel good about it. So, I spoke with my superiors and wrote a grant-reallocation request, and am now working 3 days a week. 2 days a week, the kids and I stay home together doing fun stuff and some rather normal-mundane stuff too, mostly enjoying some quality time. As any parent knows, those QT days aren't all bliss and rainbows, but it's been fun to come up with neat activities and just "hang out" without the pressures of "what I have to do this evening to get ready for work and school tomorrow". Here we are last week attempting our first gingerbread house. NOTE TO SELF AND ANYONE WHO'LL LISTEN: Put the actual house together by yourself, when your small children aren't around, then let them loose with the decorating. I tried to let them construct it and it was disastrous. ;-) They did a fabulous job decorating it though...as you see here. Elias came up with some great design techniques such as a door mat and door decorations, and Bella pretty much figured out how to get the ones she wanted off the house and into her mouth without us knowing until it was too late...and too slobbery to put back on.