Monday, December 8, 2008

Gingerbread Joy

As promised, I thought I would show you the joy that is our annual tradition of making gingerbread houses.

The day got off to a bang when I stopped for gas and sent my son into the gas station to find a few milk cartons (we use them as the base for our 'poor white trash' gingerbread houses.) When he got back in the car, I drove away BUT I WAS STILL PUMPING GAS!!! This is where I would be laughing and pointing at someone else, imagine my embarrassment!

I grabbed all four kids and went into to talk to the attendant - I NEVER GO INSIDE THE GAS STATION!!! Certain that they all were laughing at me and were well aware of what just happened, I said, "Please tell me I'm not the first person that did that and that it happens all the time!" He was very kind and and I think he recognized my nervous breakdown setting in, "no, you're not the first- it happens - he didn't say "all the time" which would have really helped. The guy that was driving the Pepsi truck that was chuckling at me from behind the freezer door, I saw you and you can suck it- it's been a hard few months- and I don't like Pepsi, so there!

Apparently there is some kind of emergency release for idiots like myself that have no business behind the wheel of a car, much less, pumping gas, during just this sort of instance. The hose just released off of the pump and flew across the lot ( with the ounce of dignity that I had left)- no breakage, no gas leak, no explosion, no damage- just my pride- and my kids that much closer to watching their mom fly off the deep end!

On to my mom's house to create more unforgettable Christmas memories... My mom was brave enough to host gingerbread tornado again this year (plus the fact that you could land an airplane in her kitchen makes it easier to work or make messes, whatever). She had everything set up so organized and nice when we got there...

That would be short- lived!


Beebs surely ate as much as she put on her house which looked like one of those houses on "What's With That House?"


You'd have to have a strong stomach to witness the "after" shots, but at least from these pictures you couldn't feel the sprinkles getting stuck to your feet, hard candy crunching and marshmallows glueing you to the floor.



After my jitters went away from my fiasco, I, too decorated one, but they all kind of looked like crap, I couldn't tell you which one I did, but we like them.
Here is where we display them...


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31 comments:

Piece o' Coconut Cake said...

How long do they last? Since I live in FL, we can never do stuff like that because of the ants...

Annie said...

I'm impressed.

jill jill bo bill said...

TOOO cute!!! And if it's any consolation(which since it's me-probably not) I have done that exact thing.

jill jill bo bill said...

With the gas pump...not the houses.

Unknown said...

Okay the wreath project combo'ed with this gingerbread extravaganza means of course you're gonna pull away from the pump with the hose still in!

Are you kidding me? You're like a real supermom superhero....please.

Honeybell said...

I was totally laughing and pointing until I saw the gingerbread houses. How cool are you!?

Jill said...

Those houses look great! Though I do have to ask... don't you worry about ants or other bugs infesting your counter and then pretty houses? I guess that's the "india" in me...

Tara Bennett said...

THAT looks like fun! And I love all of them lined up on top of the cupboards - a masterpiece!

Brooks said...

I am totally laughing WITH you about the gas pump. As for the houses, those are totally adorable. My girls have made those in pre-school, but I have never been brave enough to contend with the mess at home! You are brave...

Brittany said...

1. They are adorable!

2. OMG that is hilarious, and otally something I would have done!

Kim said...

So cute. Good idea to put them up high. One year, my then toddler picked all the gumdrops off and ate them!

I have pulled away from the gas station without paying (and was sure when I realized it and looked in the mirror the cops would be following me down the highway)! Nope.

Cajoh said...

My wife now works at a bakery and we are planning on making Gingerbread houses. I like the size (I think ours are pre-made and are twice as big)… wish us luck.

Susan said...

First time commenting but have read for awhile. You totally crack me up....you have a beautiful family and your houses came out awesome. We are pathetic because we buy the stupid kit box and they don't look near as nice as what you all made. I totally understand the gas station madness. Even though I haven't done that (sorry), I have driven away with a gallon of milk on top of my car because I was too busy finishing pumping :) We are moms, we know :)

angi_b72 said...

I must admit I have never done a gingerbread house with my kids...does that make me a bad mother? lol

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

OMG....You drove away....that is so funny. Im sorry, but it is. You poor girl, you have too much going on. Go get some Xanax and take a nap.


oh, and the gingerbread houses are adorable.

Unknown said...

LOVE the gingerbread houses! but I am still laughin at the gas incident ;-)

Ash said...

Look at you all in the spirit! Very cool.

And my Dad worked for corporate Exxon for over 30 years - you would be surprised how many people have done that. That's why the pumps have automatic emergency shut off. You're in good company!

Em

P.S. I saw your Christmas card over at McMommy - TOO adorable.

Debz said...

I got through the whole post...really I did, but the tears in my eyes were making it somewhat difficult to see the gingerbread houses all that clearly.
What I saw looked really good though, a little fuzzy - that's not a new condition for me - but good.
I have never known anyone to drive off while pumping. And may I say thank you. Because now I know what happens when you do. That was like a PSA Tena. You really should have gotten paid for it.

Unknown said...

Awww....those are cute. I would have like to come make one too...your kitchen is way better for this than mine....

Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...

Okay I am dying over here!!

The hose just released and flew across the lot

Hey at least you are not still driving around with it stuck out of your gas tank.

OMG my stomach hurts from laughing, I would have been mortified! The Pepsi driver LOL Thanks for letting me laugh at you! I have never known anyone that has done that, but like Deb said I am glad you fessed up to it because now I know what would happen.

Jenni said...

I love the houses! The kids did i GREAT job!

Ronda's Rants said...

Okay...you have to be old to appreciate this..I am... so here goes...I was on a double date...my version which is me and two guys (HA!) in 1977 and we were watching Star Wars at the drive in and my official date ...drove away with the speaker attached to his car...they don't break away...they just break!!!! I feel your pain!
And..I want to make a white trash ginger bread house...Is that the small milk carton and how do you cut it and do you just ice it to the sides of the box?

Kimberly A. Suta said...

funny story... so worth the embarassment! And the gingerbread houses are adorable!

Unknown said...

I didn't drive off with the pump in the car but the pump flew out of the car and starting spewing gas all over the place. I was waving to the guy inside, yelling, "Hey! Shut off the gas!" Dude must've thought I was waving because he waved while the gas continued to spew. Finally, he caught on and reimbursed me a few dollars for the stuff that spilled. I smelled like gas for days! Good thing yours shut off!

Love the gingerbread houses. After they are displayed, do the kids eat them? I was just wondering...cause I usually do one but then, I think about the dust and back away from it. It's a good diet deterrent!!

Don't worry about the lost follower - you've got another one!

Deb said...

How fun is that? I would have eaten a ton!!

LuckyMe said...

Your mom is a sweetheart for hosting and you are a great mom for taking the time to do this with your kids. Love the pictures, beautiful memories. Cute houses!

Mrs4444 said...

Um...I know someone who did that at a gas station once. Can't say her name; she might be embarrassed. The GBhouses rock! Nicely done!! I love that they actually get used as decoration (rather than getting tossed after the cat eats the candy off of them.)

Tiffany said...

How the hell are we gonna live in a box together if you can't pump gas? You'll tear up our box the first day we're in it. Damn Tena!

And Beebs is so cute peeking in that picture. Good job on the houses. But don't you eat them?

Deb said...

the houses look great. smart move having your mom host. i was going to be really pissed if that first photo with everything all organized and clean was from your house. thank goodness i can still speak to you.

i guess be glad you didn't blow up the whole gas station. now THAT would've been a real buzz kill.

Legal Diva said...

I like your houses- I wish I had the patience to make some.

And I've never driven away while pumping gas, but I used to work in the bakery section of a gas station back when I was 19 or 20 and I saw several people do it... so no, you are not the only one. :) And at least you didn't catch anything fire- we had someone do that once and had to shut all the pumps down. Talk about a mess!

bernthis said...

Been place like there, done things similar to that and asked the very same question: "please tell me I'm not the only one" The response is normally: "Well you're not the FIRST one". Thanks, I feel much better now NOT