"Resist the urge...

to have everything neat and tidy". That is what I have to tell myself when I do these little activities with my kids. I've been around moms (and mom blogs) that have more patience in their little finger than I do in my entire being. Some will say, "oh, they're just being kids, let 'em make a mess and have fun!" Me, not so much. But this year, I'm working on it. A couple of weeks ago I was making cookies and asked the boys to help. I actually let Will crack the egg! But he could tell I was tense and he said...

"Mom, I can tell you're doing this activity for us and trying to make it fun, but it's hard for you."

Out of the mouths of babes.

Oh, dear. It showed. My impatience, my "freaking out" over every cookie splatter and the fact that each oatmeal chocolate chip cookie wasn't perfectly round on the cookie sheet. I even re-shaped some of the ones they did. Oh, that's horrible. I can't believe I'm even admitting it.

I read this today: "Be completely humble and gentle; be PATIENT, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 I realize that patience is not something that will come naturally for me. So I asked, even begged God for patience. Especially with my boys.

So tonight...I did MUCH better. I let my kids decorate the Christmas cookies, however they wanted. They were licking icing and trying sprinkles. Glopping huge amounts of icing everywhere. The picture looks pretty neat and tidy, but what I really wish I had was an after picture (before we cleaned everything up:).
These little babies are a REAL find! My great-grandmother's old cream jars. They're so small, about 2 inches tall. (She used to go down to the drug store and buy a little jar of cream for 5 cents - and she got to KEEP THE JAR!) So, after all these years of me trying to figure out what to do with them, example: mini flower vases, storing paper clips and push pins, I had a BRILLIANT idea. I put sprinkles in them for the kids and they each had their own jars with their own icing. They are the perfect size for the kids' fingers to reach in and pinch out a sprinkling.

Yay! Here we are, actually having fun.

Wesley's masterpieces.Will's works of art.
On a side note...I love aprons! I have such a collection that when friends come over, I usually have them pick one to take home. (Now there are some that are off limits, like the one I'm wearing here.) Bonnie May - Thank you for my Christmas apron! I think of you every time I put it on! I found a web site the other day with AMAZING aprons. Click on HEAVENLY HOSTESS to check it out.These are my favorite. They're pretty pricey, but I know some of you out there with sewing skills, who could whip these up in no time!!!Look at this cute dish towel too!