Sweet

As I understand it, our friend Marie started hosting an annual gingerbread house decorating party a few years ago when her kids decided they were too old to decorate any more. All I know is Marie invites us over and we have a great time. This was our second year. Last year was the first time Toe had ever tasted candy.  

This year, it was a race. I tried to get the candy on the house before Toe shoved all of it in his mouth. We had talked ever so carefully before-hand about how he was going to only eat SOME candy and most of it would go on the house. But when confronted with a bowl of sweet-tarts and gumdrops, the kid caved. All sense went out the window and we could barely convince him to put a single candy anywhere but his mouth. As you can see, I did my part, but the kid still experienced a pretty severe sugar rush.

Toe's friend Miss "M" was there. She is three and a half years older than Toe and she shepherds him around and plays with him at family gatherings. He worships the ground she walks on. I do too. She has been a fantastic playmate for Toe - part friend, part ???babysitter? mentor? caregiver? older sister?

Marie's daughter, who decided a few years ago that she was too old to decorate any more was there babysitting another friend's niece. It was really great to see her there in the mentor capacity. 

After a great time at Marie's, we all evacuated to the playground to burn off some steam.