hello kitty christmas

This week my daughter had a friend over for a play date.  When I was at the store recently I saw this pink Hello Kitty gingerbread house and knew my daughter would LOVE it so I grabbed it.  I thought it would be a perfect activity for the play date.  To make it even a little more special I made some cute straws with Hello Kitty's signature bow and put out some more candy and frosting for the girls to use.  Unfortunately the cookies were a little soft and broke before we were able to get the house together.  So we improvised and decorated flat house shaped cookies instead.  The girls didn't care one bit and had a blast together and that is all that matters. 

gingerbread houses

One of our traditions at Christmas is to bake home made gingerbread houses.  I got some cookie cutters from Williams Sonoma years ago that help to shape our houses like pieces of a puzzle.  It is a long process, but that is what I like about it.  One day we make the dough then stick it in the fridge until we are ready.  Next we roll it out.  Assemble it another day and then let the kids decorate!  I let them each make their own house which means that by next year I will be making three!  We have been battling a terrible stomach bug in our house so a little candy and sugary sweetness has helped brighten our moods during the craziness of the season.  Hope your day is sweet too!