This was the scene in my kitchen last Friday. It was baking day. Think it looks bad? You should have seen me. I had fourth day hair. Jackson looked a little homeless too.
Pillsbury wanted to bless my little heart this year and provide my grocery store with huge tubes of refrigerated gingerbread dough. Someone give Him some praise. I’m the worst baker of all time and this was even easy enough for me to use. So Jacks and I made some little gingerbread men together. Here they are, iced and ready to be sprinkled. 
Oops, Mommy didn’t realize that the Mister wouldn’t know how to shake the bottle. He just turned it upside down over the one cookie and let the sprinkles pour out. Why I was not hovering over him at that moment baffles me. I was watching from several feet away as half the bottle landed on one little cookie. Also? Those little round ball sprinkles? They roll off the table and bounce all around the kitchen. Then they stick to your feet and travel onto other surfaces. Like rugs. Bad, bad sprinkles. 
Trying to redistribute them a little.
Who needs a napkin when it comes to sprinkles and icing?
Our cookies got the Jackson Jones stamp of approval.
The fruit of our labor – gingerbread men and butterscotch haystacks.
A closer look at our cookies. Not the cutest ever, but they taste so good!
This is the lovely gingerbread house I bought in early November for Jackson and me to make together. I never could get up the nerve to attempt this project with him though. Somehow I just knew it would be too much for Pregnant Girl and Toddler Boy. So I made it by myself last week.
Jackson was thrilled when he saw it. Although it was torturous for him not to be able to eat the candy. Thankfully, I had enough foresight to save him a few of the gumdrops and Spree. 
This is what our gingerbread house looked like when we got home from Second Baptist’s “Kids’ Crazy Christmas” show on Friday night. Hmmm, had there been a tornado in my home? 
Termites maybe?
Would anyone like a naughty golden retriever for Christmas? Come on, it will get you in the mood to see “Marley and Me” on Christmas day! I knew better than to leave that tray of cookies out on the counter, so I hid it in the oven when we left. I never would have guessed that Jughead the Big White Beast would go for the house. Seriously. Who does that?
Still chuckling over this adorable post! Please, please pass on to Beth the news that Houston has launched a new website… http://www.justweather.com. It has a DAILY HAIRCAST! What an unexpected Christmas gift! Now I did not say Big Haircast, but who cares!
I love that Jackson is wearing only a pullup, and the plastic covering your chair…why did I notice this? Because I also have a 2.5 year old boy…and I’ll have him wear the same thing, next time we decorate cookies!
After our yellow lab was hit by a car in July, we began to call him Sea Biscuit…he dented the car that hit him so badly the car owner sued us for damages! But I am so glad that he is OK. Now when he jumps up on the counter for a loaf of fresh bread, I don’t call him bad names as I banish him to the Kennel!
Maryellen
It could be worse, rather than having little sprinkles sticking to the bottoms of your feet, being strung throughout your house, Jughead could have been “pooping out” gumdrops and spree like little Skittle rainbows all over!!
When he grows up all he will remember is how his momma wanted to spend time with him and not how perfect your cookies looked. That’s what I hear from my adult children now and it warms my heart!
I made the gingerbread house with our 6 year old grand-daughter last year and she treasured it! She wouldn’t let her momma and daddy throw it away. It hung out on their kitchen island until EASTER!
Merry Christmas!
Connie Hoipkins
Denton, Texas
This was great! Loved every detail and give the dog a big kiss for me. The picture was the best! I made your famous Butterscotch Haystacks and they were a big hit! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
How precious is this? These will be some of your ‘sweetest’ Christmas memories.
We’ve had a couple of pooches thru the years that really ‘took’ to our celebrations, especially our tree.
The years we hung strung popcorn from the tree, we watched in horror as our little poodle pup Meese (short for Maurice) went running across the floor with the string between his teeth (thankfully we caught him before the tree took a tumble)
Another year an older Meese, snatched up several beautiful and delicious dough ornaments from the lowest branches before we caught on and moved them to greater heights.
Good times indeed!
Love it! Just a normal crzay Christmas. And Jackson, oh my! Boy has he gotten big!
Merry Christmas to all LPM
I feel your pain! When our boys were small, I did wedding cakes. I’d just finished a cake and had the 4 tiers set out on my counter, ready to be boxed up and delivered. I left the kitchen for a SPLIT SECOND, only to return to find one tier with a BIG chunk missing and our Australian Shepherd slinking off, trailed by cake crumbs and buttercream icing. After letting out a squeak of shock and horror, I got busy baking as fast as lightening to remake another tier. That dog didn’t show her face until nightfall. Good thing for her!
Merry Christmas, y’all!
Jacks is so cute. What fun it is to make Christmas cookies and memories…..he has blessed my heart so many times with “I found it!” Merry Christmas Moores, Jones’, and Fitzpatricks!
Jackie
Lake Charles
Oh, Amanda, how funny! We have a 7month old golden retriever. (and 4children) Last Friday school was cancelled so I promised the kids we would do the gingerbread house (just like yours!). I thought that I moved the finished house far enough away where Miley couldn’t reach it. But no – she ate the snowman! Yuck! That gingerbread is so hard. Merry Christmas!
My first blog, but faithful reader. When I saw these adorable pics I had to respond. Your ‘Jacks’ and my 5yr old grandson ‘Jacks’ would be great adventurers together. They both have that same micheveous twinkle in their eyes! Monday was my baking day, and Bella Rose, my min schnauzzer helped out by anxiously awaiting to lick up every morsel if it dropped of the counter. Love and Merry Christmas from Tennessee!
Hah! Loved it. My girls are all older now, and still make a mess when they cook. Teenagers Ya’ll.
But I do I remember the blood pressure rising with the sprinkles all over the floor and the decorations loaded up on one poor cookie. I just want to ask. Who are the people that make those gorgeous cookies that you see on magazine covers? I bet none of them has a toddler or little child around when they do those beautiful works of art. My cookies may have been a mess, but they sure tasted good! And mine were filled with love.
ANd I love your dog! Let the doggie eat the gingerbread!!! Dont you know that dogs love Christmas too?
You go pregnant girl. YOu’se a good mama!
Heidi in Georgia
I saw these pictures and chuckled…AND THEN…I arrived home to find my puppy had turned into Jughead!! She chewed into at least 6 gifts under the tree and managed to get a bottle of lotion open and smeared into the carpet. It’s a lot funnier this morning than it was last night!!!
OMG!! How cute is your Jackson!!! Too precious!!! 🙂 Oh, and man would I not want to mess with that dog and those teeth, lol!!! Be blessed today Amanda and hope you and your family have an amazing Christmas!!!! 🙂
Glad we are not the only ones battling canine termites. Our son’s dog, Lyla, has stolen every single Christmas goodie off the kitchen counter. She’s earned the nickname “Houdini.” Love truly does cover a multitude of sins.
Merry Christmas!
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing the precious pictures of Jackson! Love them! And I love the grin on the guilty dog! Too cute!
Blessings
Michelle
Merry Christmas to all! I’ve been so busy working at Lifeway that I’ve only had enough time to look at the great pictures and speed read the blog posts. This is my first experience working retail and I’ve been so thankful to work in such a great store. It’s a unique blend of retail and ministry! Many customers are hurting and to be able to work in an environment where we can stop and pray with folks is special! My delight is also helping folks choose a Bible–which is still a #1 gift item-thankfully! Also–I love helping customers choose their very first Beth Moore study. Well… I must go..I just wanted to pop in to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Oh my mercy I am rolling!
Seriously… why didn’t we get to see a pic of 4th day hair? I am sporting 3 day hair this morning. Boy am I looking good! 🙂
Jackson is so darling… and I love his over-sprinkled cookie! Kind of like how God pours out His blessings… just pours ’em on us!
This is hilarious! Your gingerbread men look adorable, as does your little Jackson. How much fun was that?
Your dog cracks me up, too. Laughed out loud this morning over this blog. Too funny. Thanks for sharing!!
I so feel ya, girl. My girls and I make the ugliest cookies known to Christmas – just never quite mastered the art – but they taste way good!
That dog – too stinkin’ cute. I had to laugh out loud at that grin!!
Blessings on Jackson’s last Christmas as the “only”! Things will be very different next year!
BTW- don’t you love being pregnant at Christmas. Mary’s whole experience takes on more meaning, doesn’t it?
This makes be smile! I love the pics, Jackson is so cute!!! And the story about your dog is too funny…I had the pleasant surprise to find my dog chewing on an ornament from the tree which turned his beard and paws hot pink! Talk about looking festive!
Merry Christmas from GA
Beth and Amanda – What a blast….That is exactly what I was doing yesterday with my 4 grandchildren. We had a Gingerbread House Party….One house for the two girls who are 2 years old and one house for 6 year old grandson and another for 5 year old granddaughter. The Mommy’s (my daughters) were also here and together we all had a wonderful time. After the houses we made cut out cookies and decorated them and the kitchen, but each moment is priceless!
Thank you for sharing yours with everyone.
Wishing a blessed Christmas to all of the Moore family.
Love, Nancy
Beckham, you are a naughty dog!
Merry Christmas anyhow!
NEVER, under any circumstances, underestimate a hungary canine.
How are you doing? Excited for you and your family.
Jugheads and all.
Amanda, the cookies and house look great! i had to write a comment, because my first dog Scruffy demolished me and my sister’s precious gingerbread house. He was not an indoor dog, so we occasionally let him in when it was cold, and didn’t think he’d get to it from the dining room table. But boy did he! Red icing was smeared all in the white carpet with shards of the house lying around. 🙂 Sweets must be irresistable to all creatures!!!
I also feel you on decorating the house yourself. I am pregnant with my first child, and I am so detailed…I wonder if I’ll be able to ever let my kid decorate a house! Something for God to work on me!
The photos are lovely. The kitchen looks a lot like mine. I love that you can see out your windows. My windows are frozen over as the day time high is minus 28 degrees today. I laughed when I saw Jackson shirtless, my boys have on their thermal underwear, socks slippers, and occassionally their hoodies on top of their regular clothes.
Merry Christmas.
Loved your baking story! Jughead looks quite pleased with himself. Hee hee. I hope you and your sweet family have a wonderful Christmas.
We are having our baking day today–with our 3 year old granddaughter. I can’t wait!
Blessings,
Dana
Ok, Sweet Girl, I’ll trade you one naughty Golden Retriever for one demented Yellow Lab. Our darlin’ Rubi has eaten all – and I mean ALL – of my lighted, mechanical grapevine deer – in addition to the inflatable Santa and reindeer. Fortunately, we haven’t left her in the house alone. Not sure the tree could withstand that!
God bless you Amanda for being so very real, down to the pull-ups!
Our dogs will steal food off the table too and we have found paw prints on the dining room table and chocolate wrappers all over the house! May the wonder of Christmas wash over your soul, as you are a mommy to be this year. We have a miracle baby in our family this year, born 2 days ago, God spared him and his mommy and gave us much to be thankful for. May your life be filled with the wonder of Hannakah too and the light of the world shine bright for you all. Shalom
cracking up at the dog! I’ll trade you for a bichon who likes to chew on Star Wars toys! Merry Christmas!
Cute pictures and post.
Our dogs also ate the gingerbread that was left over from making a house from scratch — out of the plastic bags they were stored in on the counter! That’s 2 one-gallon bags with huge pieces! Bad doggies! LOL!
(they didn’t get much dinner that night, either!)
so cute!! i love the picture of dog at the end with the mischevious grin. classic:)
Too funny!! The sprinkles, the dog smiling…tooo funny.
My mom left a roast out on the counter once to thaw. When we got home from church. All that was left was a bone and a little bit of frozen meat in the center. And it weren’t no termites either!! Sam the dog!
Merry Christmas and blessings to you and your family Amanda.
Melana in Wyoming
What a beautiful smile! Oh, Jackson’s was sweet too 😉 I am thankful that my dogs are medium sized and can’t quite get on to the counter 😀 I am a little nervous at what my kitchen will look like, my sister is here and at the store with my kids getting the baking supplies for our cookie adventure!
Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I will be watching Elf for the first time because of you guys 🙂
From many years of experience, I can tell you the sprinkles will be found in July. It is like they roll and hide and then roll out for you to step on months later. But a Christmas cookie is not Christmas unless it has sprinkles.
Enjoy the moments.
My daughter (10yrs) were reading your post together and both of us feel out laughing seeing your Jughead smiling up at the camera.
And Jackson is ‘eat up’ with cute.
Ok…those pictures are great but the dog is my favorite! How in the world did you get a mug shot like that? 🙂 Too funny…hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.
Ya’ll did an awesome job. Atleast you have an oven that that works mines broke. Your little boy is just too cute and I love the picture of your dog too.
Merry Christmas to you and your Family!
What a happy dog! Happy boy! Happy household! Thanks for sharing!
My husband and i (michigan residents) are making that same exact ginger bread house!!! How fun! Way to go all out!
Just so you know…4 year olds still can’t sprinkle.
Trust me.
oh I absolutely LOVED reading this!!!!!! :)) have a blessed Christmas, Amanda and EVERYONE!
Mariacristina
That brought a huge smile to my face this morning!!!! Had my time with God and have alot to do today but I wanted to take a qick peek at the blog and was blessed as usual. May you all have a blessed Christmas, celebrating our God’s greatest gift to us-His precious Son Jesus. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
I love ya’ll at LPM!!! Have a very merry CHRISTmas! Ya’ll are cuteness and a half:)…He loves us! YAY!
Rom. 8:):)
katiegfromtennessee
Being from Colorado it just doesn’t seem right to be in a bathing suit! We’re wearing our long johns. Jackson looks very happy test tasting his mama.
Thanks for the warning about the ginger bread house. Now I’m moving my house higher up…my lab would probably level the house and leave only crumbs. Thanks for sharing your baking day pics! They are so precious. WE are going to bake today…gotta get some cookies for ole st. nick ;0)
Merry Christmas!
Kate in Charlottesville
I have been reading this blog for years but today I felt I should sign up to comment. Amanda, those pics. are so precious! I laughed out loud at the gingerbread house after the dog encounter. You left a giant dog cookie/candy treat out and ALL he did was nibble the edges??!!! I call that a dog with self control. You have yourself a great dog (and cute little boy)!!! : ) Thanks so much for sharing such a special time with all of us!
Your wonderful commentaries of regular life, are greatly appreciated!! That’s how come this blog is so attractive, you chicks are real-life! And we can relate to, well . . . at least some of this!! Love all the smiles shared, gotta love the doggy smile!
Mare
Love it!! Especially the picture of the “guilty party” at the end.
Merry Christmas!!!
My mom pulled a “Jackson” last night when making scones. She went to lightly dust the tops with raw sugar and had it open on the wrong side.
So we went to re-distributing!