Friday, December 23, 2011

Our Little Gingerbread Experience

A few weeks back TOF had a school project that involved a Flat Stanley type Gingerbread Man.  His assignment was to carry it with him over the weekend and snap pictures and then write about what they did together.

Luckily we had an adventure packed weekend and he didn't end up with a book full of I sat on the couch watching TV this weekend pictures.

Thanks to ChiIL Mama, I won tickets to a performance of Gustafer Yellowgold and brunch at Schuba's.

Since his creation by Morgan Taylor in 2005, Gustafer Yellowgold has become an international phenomenon, acclaimed by The New York Times, which described Gustafer as "A cross between ‘Yellow Submarine’ and Dr. Seuss."

Gustafer himself is a friendly creature who came to Earth from the sun and is living out an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods. Gustafer Yellowgold’s Show is a multi-media performance of live music, animated illustrations and storytelling.


After a delicious brunch we enjoyed a delightful performance at which both boys were completely mesmerized by the story of Gustafer.  The show lasted about an hour and although my boys didn't want to, most kids sat on the floor front and center and there was lots of audience interaction.  If you ever have the chance to see Morgan Taylor perform, GO!  Our tickets were complimentary, but the ticket price was only $10 and well worth it for children's entertainment that adults will enjoy as well. 

The afternoon was still young and I figured as long as we were already in Chicago, why not a take trip downtown to see the Christmas decorations.  Augie Dawgs, being  a suburban girl and all was a little leery, but I persisted and soon we were on the el headed downtown. 

First time on the el.


We headed to Mac...I just can't bring myself to say it.  We arrived at the former Marshall Field's and took the express elevator up to the 7th floor where TOF and I flashed our fabulous smiles at the Walnut Room manager and got right to the front of the line.  A mema's got to do what a mema's got to do.  But before you get all huffy, it was only to take the picture and I explained that it was for a school project and the manager was happy to accommodate us (as Augie Dawgs cringed in a far off corner)  Pfft, you never get anywhere in life being a wallflower.

We then took a quick walk to the Daley Plaza, thank hank for the Pedway, to see the tree and check out the Christkindl Market.  I'd never been to the Market before and I'd love to return but without the boys so I could do a little browsing and not have to worry about them being trampled by the crowd.

The Gingerbread Man assignment got me thinking that TOF is probably just the right age to enjoy making a Gingerbread house.  I had only helped make one once before and that was with a recycled school sized milk container and graham crackers.  So yesterday, we rolled up our sleeves and got busy with a kit I had purchased.


TOF was so excited about putting together his creation.  I piped out the frosting and he applied the candies, alternating colors and shapes to make a patterin.

Here's our finished product which he is so proud of!


I promise he's not grimacing in pain, that's his show off your missing front teeth pose.



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3 comments:

Noreen said...

So sweet ...what a wonderful memory you have made

Michelle said...

His smiles remind me of Mister Man ;) So sweet with the gingerbread house. Do you think it's too late for us to make ours? NOW?

Susan Adcox said...

I made a gingerbread house with my grands. Now that Christmas is over, my husband asked if he should throw it away, and I said no! Can it possibly survive in my freezer for 12 months?

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