Flashback: Christmas Craft Day at the Franks

Last month, Jonathan and I traveled to Portland for a day of baking, crafting, and playing with our dear friends Lisa, Maddie, and James. Daddies were both working, so it was just mommies and kids. Lisa and I had been planning the day for a while. We decided to bake several kinds of cookies for each other in advance and then finish off some recipes together. We also planned a few Christmas crafts for the kids. It was so much fun!

The kids' first project was to fill out an adorable wooden postcard that Lisa found. It was a fill-in-the-blank letter to Santa, so we helped Maddie and Jonathan fill them out with their ages and top three gift wishes for Christmas. Jonathan's? Blocks, a motorcycle, and a car. (I think his Uncle Gary already has him brainwashed.)

The kids then had fun painting the postcards and a few other wooden ornament. They used acrylics and glitter gel to create the prettiest ornaments. Maddie even made one for her dog, Lucy.


In between crafts, the kids had a ton of fun just playing. They're so great at playing together and always make each other laugh. Jonathan is a little timid at first, but soon enough he's laughing and playing. He still has some fear issues with their sweet beagle, Lucy, but we're working on that one.


Back to the crafts. Lisa came up with these adorable doughnut-hole reindeer for the kids to make. Turned out the doughnut holes were a little finicky, so the moms made them instead. Aren't they adorable?!


Lisa also treated me to an absolutely delicious lunch: a turkey and stuffing burger with cranberry spread with sweet potato fries on the side. So yummy and perfect for the season!


While the kids and I worked on more crafts, Lisa and James were busy working on finishing the peanut butter sandwich cookies and chocolate gingerbread cookies while also prepping to coat the pumpkin-gingersnap truffles. Yum! James was perfectly happy riding on mommy's hip while she worked with one hand. Multi-talented mama!


Of course maybe the real reason for James being so content is that his mommy loves him so much! :)


The day went too quickly and turned into evening. The kids took a few minutes to look at the Christmas lights outside and to let out some energy by jumping up and down. They were so adorable and goofy together! I especially loved Maddie's hair flying around like crazy. They laughed, squealed, and had a blast together.

When they came back inside, they settled down together and got ready to say good bye for now. They're such good buddies . . . just like their mamas.

At the end of the day, we all walked away with lots of Christmas treats made, lots of fun new Christmas crafts ready to display, and all-new memories to treasure. Thanks for the perfect day, dear Lisa. I can't wait for next year!