Party time.

So we just had the annual holiday sugar-fest, also known as the Rose Family Annual Holiday Open House. Or more accurately referred to as kid-topia this year, as the sound of a dozen preschoolers running around, hopped up on sugar and initiating a drum circle convinced all of our childless friends that they had made the right decision. But it really was fun to see them delight in the sweets and each others company. And Molly and Jacob are turning into a model little host and hostess, with welcoming people, offering them food and drink (under the one-for-you-one-for-me guise) and then walking them to the gate with hugs and heartfelt “I will miss you” declarations.

But first things first!

An early Christmas present from the Ya-ya’s brought unexpected squeals of delight. Molly was entranced by her appearance (and you can see Jacob ripping off his t-shirt to try on his new outfit):

And here’s the proud Patriots fan:

In fact, they love the clothes so much that they’ve invented new persona to don with the gay apparel – Jacob calls himself “Red Patriot” and Molly is “Black Bows”.

The day before the party, we had a family gingerbread house decorating session. Jacob decorated, Molly ate the decorations.

Minutes before guests arrived, we took advantage of the kids in their holiday best (as picked by them) to sneak a couple of pictures:

Most are blurry, since we were laughing and singing and playing while we took pictures, but a couple we got.

This one is a little soft, but I love it anyway, and had to include it.

How cute is this boy?

So cute Chuck got a shot of me gazing up at him adoringly. This is my usual expression when I’m looking at the kids. No wonder Jacob asked me if everyone knows that he’s the cutest boy in the world, and Molly kisses the mirror calling herself a “pretty, pretty little beauty”.