Gingerbread Houses and Boys

My friend Kelly had this really bright idea to have a slew of boys over to her house to decorate sugar cookies and graham cracker gingerbread houses during Thanksgiving break.  She's nuts.  Who does that with a room full of boys?  Do boys even WANT to do that?  I'd think not.  But I was wrong.  The boys had a BLAST.  Now, let me say that they all did an absolutely AWFUL job on their cookies and houses, but they had a great time.  As a matter of fact, I don't think a single boy even finished decorating a cookie before it ended up in his mouth, but they laughed and played and had a wonderful time.   And they sure showed me, I'd never have guessed a group of football playing boys would have such fun decorating houses.

Well, everybody except Jack.  But you can't judge anything by whether Jack is having fun, because he is a grouchy little guy most always.  This day was no exception, as noted by the look on his face.  

And here is his house.  Which, believe it or not, looks better than nearly all of the older boys houses.  They were tragic. 

Jack did a little better at cookie decorating.  He loves the color green, so of course his cookie is green.  He was a little happier after the cookie.

Now, the boys... what a mess.  A group of boys discussing football, wrestling and video games while decorating cookies.  Ahhhhh, what a site.  

This little feller in the green shirt just started to ice his graham crackers and eat them before his house even got finished.  

Kelly trying to save the day.  Good luck Kelly.

OK, take a look at Justice's house.  It wasn't long before the boys decided to forgo attempting to make a peaked roof on their houses and they just made gingerbread mobile homes instead.  Boys keeping it classy.  

A little frosting on his nose

This kid made an awesome gingerbread house, and somehow or another it ended up on his lap.  So then he asked Kelly to "fix it" for him.

Hmmm, yeah... Not so much.  Nice try though.

This is the aftermath of the decorating party.  Not too messy, is it?  We were absolutely shocked and really pleasantly surprised at the lack of mess these boys made.  

Not to change the subject, but if you are reading this, please stop and say a prayer for Kelly.  Kelly is a fellow football Mom and member of my church.  She is only 30 and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has a very long road ahead of her, starting with a mastectomy in a few weeks.  She is a strong woman, and she is a fighter, and she was diagnosed at a very early stage and has an outstanding prognosis.  But it will be a long road and she and her family needs all the support she can get right now.   Your prayers are very much appreciated.