The Girl and I have had a great day. With the teachers on strike, school was closed. This meant we had an extra day together, and one during the week at that. Normally if she's off during the week it's because she's poorly, so to have her home and healthy was such a bonus.We had a list of things to do. We didn't get round to doing everything on the list, but we made a good start.
It started off with decorating a tree in the husbands den. The den has been recently decorated and had a wooden floor laid, but it's still in a little bit of chaos, so I haven't got any good 'before' and 'after' photos.
It may be the husbands room (where I can shut him in so I don't have to listen to football on the telly!), but his tree is anything but. It's become tradition to decorate his tree with a Hello Kitty theme.
I think I'm going to have to re do it a little bit when I'm on my own. Children tend to get a bit impatient and like to rush you!Once that was done, it was on to piling on yet more sweeties on a gingerbread house.
After washing the floor, we made a batch of gingerbread biscuit dough. I want to have lots of gingerbread men to put on the Sweetie Christmas Tree (plans shaping up very nicely for it, more on that next week).I used a new recipe, [Schwartz Christmas Tree Biscuit recipe]
Got to say it's a really nice biccy recipe, so if you're looking for a new one, then it's a good one to try.Girly Girl decorated some by herself.
These are my efforts, they turned out so sweetly. I don't think I could bear to see them eaten! 
Magazines and books say to poke a hole through them so you can thread ribbon and hang them on a tree. I disagree with this for two reaons. The first being that if you use a real tree then the moisture will make them go soggy. Secondly, I just don't like the thought of dust and stuff floating around and settling on something that's going to be eaten. That's why I don't like anyone to eat the gingerbread houses I make, after a couple of weeks they must be a little grimy!So the plan is to have them wrapped in cellophane bags. Looks nice and keeps them fresh and clean.
I've only used a small amount of the biccy dough, so I will make more tomorrow.I've given in to temptation, and switched the outdoor lights on. We've had them on all day!
I love looking out of the living room windows and seeing this sight.
The door is almost complete. I need to add the wreath to the door - more lights! I might remake it this year though, I just have the urge. 
Couldn't resist adding snow to this photo. My little girl told me what she liked best about Christmas was snow. 
A busy and festive day! Still lots left to do, but at least we've made a start.