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![\"GingerbreadKids07LRcrop2\"](\"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/GingerbreadKids07LRcrop2.jpg\")
<\/a>Laurel and Robert, wearing the gingerbread John-John now worn by his little cousin Alastair<\/p><\/div>\n
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Unlike the character in Shakespeare\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s play, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not sure that I would spend my last penny on gingerbread. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d probably go for a scrap of fabric or lace, or a needle …..but I digress. This is about gingerbread and Christmas outfits for my grandchildren.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>The marshmallow snowman had a short life. And he did not melt, did he, Robert?<\/p><\/div>\n
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If you have read more than two or three posts on this blog, you will know that gingerbread plays a huge role in our Christmas festivities. Robert and Laurel, at ages 2 and 3, seemed ready to be introduced to this family tradition. They made their first gingerbread houses, received gingerbread ornaments for their personal collection, added a charming book, Gingerbread Land<\/em>, to their library in Nana\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nursery, and wore smocked gingerbread outfits for various holiday activities and on Christmas day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The polycotton, ready-to-smock, red gingham jumper and Jon-Jon saved me enough time to spend hours and hours searching for a smocking plate that suited me. It seemed to me that the designs all showed trim, athletic ginger folk and many of them were wearing clothes. I wanted a smocking design that looked like the cookies we baked–roly poly and wearing nothing but frosting.<\/p>\n In desperation, I did a Google search and low and behold! There was the perfect plate in a back issue of Creative Needle<\/em> magazine, the entire collection of which I have, from the premier issue on. I was elated and started smocking almost immediately.<\/p>\n This style is really a wonderful for children year round. In cool weather, a long sleeved turtleneck can be substituted for the short sleeved shirt. On a tropical Florida day, it can be worn shirtless.<\/p>\n Our gingerbread tradition continues. At Halloween, my daughter had a party at which guests decorated gingerbread haunted mansions.\u00c2\u00a0 Last night,\u00c2\u00a0she held her first annual Christmas gingerbread house decorating party.\u00c2\u00a0 Nine month-old Alastair was enchanted, as was 6 month-old Aliyah, who was attired in a tiny pink chef’s hat and matching apron!\u00c2\u00a0 I’m hoping to get a picture soon.<\/p>\n Tomorrow, the children will decorate their houses here with Nana and then set them out in their own home. Robert\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s probably won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t last very long. Last year, even under his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s experienced and watchful eye, he had eaten the marshmallow snowman and stripped away most of the candy within two days. And never got caught.<\/p>\n I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure he is one little boy who would spend his last penny on gingerbread—or the sugary treats that go with it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’m scrambling here, working on the grandsons’ Christmas outfits and preparing for tomorrow’s arrival of 2-1\/2 year old Alastair.\u00c2\u00a0 He will be with us for a few days and will have my undivided attention.\u00c2\u00a0 So there is no time for … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n