2Y32D: The Tree...A.D. (After Daniel) and Rainbow Cookies

From this post forward, the term "after Daniel"  will be known as "A.D,"  and "before Children" will now be known as "B.C." (clever ey?)

For example, my computer BC had all of its' keys. AD, I am now missing 1/3 of them.

Just a couple of days ago I posted on our first tree.  It was sweet, lovely, and the few ornaments  it had were nicely spread out over the entire six feet of it soft green fingers.

Today, our tree has 5 fewer shiny pieces  and a noticeably uneven dispersment. (is that a word?)

The top looks great!

The tree BC:

Then we were given some more little balls to hang:

"Tickles!"
Daniel like to lean into the tree because it tickles him, good thing the needles aren't sharp!

Today this is what it looks like:

Since he can't reach any more ornaments, he's going for the lights and the power. This is supposed to be fun, right?

Presents will show up at night more for their protection and less for aesthetics.

In other news, the cookies we made yesterday came out GREAT!!  They were easy, fun and taste deelicious!

RAINBOW COOKIES:

If you're interested:

Ingredients:
2 tsp almond extract
1 box (18.5 +/- oz) Yellow cake mix prepared according to box
1tsp red food color
1tsp yellow food color
1tsp green food color
1 jar of fresh ( if you can get it) raspberry jam (I like it with seeds -  from the farmers market) melted
1 cup (6ish oz) milk-chocolate chips ( you can  use semi sweet if you prefer)

1- Preheat oven to 350. Stir in almond extract.
2- divide batter into three parts using one food color in each bowl
3-coat 3 separate 9 x 11 backing dishes with cooking spray, parchment paper/wax paper and again with spray.  If you dont have three, use one over and over.  We had 2 and one 9 x 9 - use what you have.
4- cook until a clean toothpick can be inserted in cake with pulling any batter out with it.  When done, pull out of oven and cool completely.
5 - Place red layer top side down in  cookie sheet/large cutting board and coat put about a half a cup melted jam in a nice thin layer ( I like a thin  layer, you can add more if you like) Put the green layer on the top side down with another shmear of jam and top it all with the yellow layer.
6-with one of the discarded papers, cover the top layer and put one of the pans on top and lightly push the layers together.  Refrigerate for about an hour.
7-Melt the chocolate ( I like a double boiler kind of melt, but be careful not to scorch it if you don't)
9-in pretty swirls coat the top of the cake of cookies.  Cut into 1 x 2 inch cookies.  Or if you're like us, you leave it in a cake and cut pieces as you go...up to you. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Enjoy!