Christmas Cookies

Hayleigh has been begging for a few days now to make Christmas cookies.  I was hoping to eliminate it this year since had so much going on, and Nate and I talked and kind of decided that Santa would like oatmeal cookies this year.

This was not good enough for Hayleigh.  I am good at many things in the kitchen but baking cookies is definitely not one of them.  Every year we go through this, and every year I tell Nate "I am never making cookies again, we can just buy them." 

Well this year I found the perfect recipe - to make just enough cookies for the four us.  No more throwing cookies away, or eating them every time I pass by the counter in the kitchen,

I love when Nate is home to join in because two on two is way easier then me trying to contain both kids when they are so excited they can burst at the seam.

Also Nate is great and I mean really great at cookie baking and rolling out dough, I couldn't do it without him.

Just enough for one cookie sheet.

This was good - it made everyone happy.  Hayleigh was so happy to get what she wanted and she wanted to bake cookies.  I was happy because a.) it didn't take all day b.) I didn't have to cut out the remaining 48 cookies when everyone else had enough c.) it turned into some fun family time d.) the kids were happy so that made me happy.

The cookies turned out perfect.

Decorating went well.  Probably because only one kid was interested in partaking - Ian.  Hayleigh found the following way more entertaining.  She keeps me on my toes.

So three of us finished up the task (that she wanted to begin) while hearing giggles coming from the backyard.

They turned out pretty good.

And they were perfect for a movie snack - preparing for our recent trip.

I love the energy and motivation I have during this time of the year - all the little family traditions that sticks (even if Hayleigh has to make sure they do) - it getting so much more fun the older they get and the more they remember.

If you haven't made cookies yet - go ahead and do it - it will make you happy which in turn will make your little people happy - and that makes everyone happy.  Also this recipe doesn't need to be refrigerated and all that nonsense so you can do it on a whim and be completely successful.

Happy cookie baking, and you are welcome!