Reindeer Boys, 2009

You haven’t been to a holiday cookie decorating party until you’ve been to the one our neighbors throw each year. WOW! They go all out. Kids get to write their names on hand-made jingle bell name tags, they each get a box filled with plain sugar cookies, gingerbread men and red, green and white individually-packaged frosting with stick for spreading. On the festive tables set up in our neighborhood clubhouse are more tools for sprucing up cookies — sprinkles, red hots, candies, tubes of gel for writing and more — oh, pretzels, too, because, of course, you’ve got to have something salty with your sweets (and let me tell you, pretzels dipped in frosting is mighty good). The kiddos are also served drinks (coffee and water for parents), and can hang out at coloring tables, too — that’s where the reindeer glasses were found by my two guys, pictured above. And their two cousins, pictured below.

Reindeer Girls, 2009

Aren’t they cute? And aren’t our neighbors so kind to put forth such effort for the little people in their lives? We think so — and we are so thankful to have been invited. Thanks Jenn, Glenn, grandparents and everyone else who makes this annual extravaganza happen.