Christmas Eve Eve

I think I probably call my 12/23 post this same title every year. Oh well. It's how I think of today. ETA: Yep, I just checked, both 2006 and 2007 has that as my 12/23 title. Ha!

Oh my, it's getting so close. The boys and I (well, mostly I) had a big Christmas cookie afternoon. Two years ago I hosted a small cookie exchange, last year I went to a big one, and this year...nothing. So I had to make a variety of treats all by myself. That's okay...now I just have to figure out what to do with all of 'em.

Anyway, just before we got started Easton and I went up to get Dalton from his nap. When I put him down he was wearing his little hoodie jacket, a shirt underneath, a diaper, pants, and socks. When we went to get him he was down to just the shirt and socks:


He pulled the same stunt (removing his clothes and diaper) the other day while in his footie jammies. And this morning I had him in just a diaper while I let his lotion dry...he came in to greet me in the kitchen holding a diaper full of turdlets. Lovely. Amazingly there was NO mess...at least I haven't come across it yet if there is one. Yikes. :) If he hates poopy pants so much I have a great idea where he can start putting all his bodily extras...the potty!

Okay, sorry that was a gross and random tangent, especially before I start talking about our baking day...but, hey, it's part of life and I'm one of the best handwashers in town. Hee hee.

Anyway, we started with Oreo Balls. Pretty tasty and Easton enjoyed feeding Oreos into the food processor where he said they were getting "scrunched":


Dalton just wanted to keep us company:


They moved on to play while I formed the balls and chilled them.

We then moved on to my mom's specialty and J's favorite: Peanut Butter Cup Tartlets. Easton unwrapped the Reese's for me:


Dalton wanted to watch Wiggles on YouTube:


I also made the "Twix Bars" Katie mentioned on her blog. Those might now be Jason's new favorite.

I ruined the batch of white chocolate I was going to use to dip the Oreo Balls in so instead we had to make a late afternoon run up to Target for some more. Jason brought home Noodles for dinner and after we ate I dipped the balls. Good times.

This morning Jason decided to work from home. So while he was upstairs working the boys and I worked on finishing our treat boxes. I laced the boxes up yesterday during quiet time and today E helped me add the faces:


Dalton entertained himself with the spare parts:


I love how Eastie posed with the boxes when we were done:


Not too bad, eh?


I also made another batch of those nummy Mint Thins while the boys did an excellent job of entertaining themselves.

With those finished my holiday cookie baking is complete:

From left to right we've got those Twix Bars, Oreo Balls, Peanut Butter Cup Tartlets, and the Mint Thins.

Easton has repeatedly said "We need to save some for my friend Santa". But not to worry, we've got tons of goodies. I made up a tray to take to the neighbors and put a few in the treat boxes for a few other people. Then we'll be bringing some to brunch tomorrow morning and we'll still have a lot left. Hope Santa brings me a Thighmaster. ;)

Alrighty well I need to finish up some wrapping folks so I'm on my way. Happy Christmas Eve Eve!