Niece and Nephew Christmas Party 2016

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night, and it was our 13th annual Niece and Nephew Christmas party. In attendance this evening: Emily, Carissa, Allison, Rylar, and Enzo. We handled the party a little differently this year in that it was held on a regular Cookie Baking Monday night instead of on a weekend, and we opted out of any outside activities this year and stayed at our house for the whole party.

Every Niece and Nephew Christmas Party contains four main elements, and this one was no exception. They are:

1. A meal. Tonight we had macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, tator tots, and strawberry milk.

2. We decorate a gingerbread house cookie. Always a favorite part of the party. This is where you see individual personalities emerge. 

Aunt Katrina & Carissa 

Allison & Emily 

  

Enzo & Uncle Greg 

  

Rylar

  

After the newbie settled down a bit and the initial excitement wore off, he and Uncle Greg (and Clara) worked together to make a pretty good looking cookie. 

   

3. A Bible lesson. Tonight our lesson centered around Luke chapter 2. We talked about how Jesus laid aside his kingly rights in heaven for a time to come to this earth and be born as a human, how he lived a sinless life, and then willingly died a death on a cross as punishment for our sins. It's amazing every time we hear it. 

4. The dice game. We roll two dice and every time someone gets doubles, they get to choose a prize from a prize bin. We keep taking turns until all the prizes have been handed out. Everyone gets a bag with their name on it to take home their prizes. 

Another full year of Cookie Baking Nights has passed, and another Niece and Nephew Christmas Party has come and gone. And, as usual, a fun time was had by all. 

Cookie Baking Night 12/05/16

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Allison, Rylar, and Enzo. Tonight was Rylar's birthday choice. He turned 5 years old two days ago. For supper he chose: Spaghetti, cheese bread, and bananas. For his cookie choice: Chocolate Chip Cookies.

                

I've found that when we have our usual six kids in attendance and three of them are 6 and under, the attention span doesn't always allow for making it all the way around the table taking turns measuring ingredients before attendees start to get restless and goofiness ensues (happens to the older ones too, actually).  So, tonight I pre-measured the dry ingredients and everyone was given a baggie of ingredients to add to the bowl. It worked pretty well. We'll be using that trick again. 

                        

           

Clara (my mom) joined us for some of the Cookie Baking fun tonight. 

We finished off the evening with a lively game of Sequence for Kids. Rylar has been asking to play that game for awhile now, so he was excited to use his "birthday choice" clout to make that happen. 

As usual, a fun time was had by all.