Graham Cracker Houses

This is Tessa's "gingerbread" house that she decorated in preschool yesterday. The parents actually constructed the little graham cracker houses the night before so they would harden in time and the kids had a blast decorating them with all sorts of goodies. Unfortunately Tessa consumed most of her decorations before the picture, but you get the general idea.

Here is the icing recipe if anyone is interested in making them at home:

3 Tbsp Meringue Powder (can be found at Michael's craft store)
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar
3 1/2 oz. warm water

Mix dry ingredients. Add water and beat 7-10 minutes.

Allow icing to harden on the houses for a couple of hours or over night.

*The Meringue Powder is very important it's what makes the icing harden.

flu shot

making brownies

Tessa is a great help in the kitchen. She takes her job as batter licker very seriously.

Tahoe in November

Tessa and I spent a wonderful weekend in Tahoe with John's family on Thanksgiving weekend. All of Tessa's cousins were there and the kids had a blast! I decided to relax and enjoy rather than document each moment, thus only a few pics were taken. Here is Tessa exploring and rock throwing into the lake. In the far distance you can barely see Heavenly due to a major lack of snow.

Discovering

full circle

This Sunday Tessa and I went to Chico to visit my oldest friend Tara and her daughter Alison. The girls had so much fun together! We were there for two days and they pretty much happily entertained themselves the entire time. It's amazing to see our girls together at nearly the same age we were when we met and became lifelong friends nearly twenty-five years ago.

Don't turn your back....

Even for one second!!!

This started out as Tessa innocently washing her hands after going to the bathroom. I only turned my back for a second... well she's four now so maybe it was a bit longer than a second.