is there anything cozier than a big cup of hot cocoa?!

we are big hot cocoa fans in this house. there is just something so inviting about hands wrapped around a big toasty mug. that’s loaded up with piping hot cocoa. topped with marshmallows. quintessential comfort in a cup if you ask me.

we love it so much. in fact. that we sip it year round. it is often a breakfast treat with cinnamon toast. or chosen as a post dinner dessert to dunk oreos into. we just love it.

but we realllllly enjoy it in these wintery christmasy months. this is when we doctor it up. turn the volume up on the extra special factor. like adding all the peppermint. or caramel drizzle. or broiling marshmallows on top till they are bubbly & golden brown. it makes it sort of magical. and we like it like that.

the boys especially love it because. well duh. sugar. chocolate. sweetness. but as a mama i especially love it because it brings my rascals to the kitchen. to the counter. right there with me. face to face. and that is where the connection really begins.

they know. and I know. that no critter will be walking around the house with a cup of hot cocoa. their little tooshies will be glued to the counter tops as long as they want to enjoy the goodness of the hot cocoa. and that is where the conversations start. the questions tumble off their lips. their curiosity & imaginations & wonderment accelerate. and thats really what it is all about. right? intentional connection.

and for me. for us. that connection often starts with food. with drink. in the kitchen. in the heart of our home.for us. it often starts with hot cocoa. a treat that we can enjoy together.its comfort. in a lot of ways. and that is a lot like love.

speaking of love. i threw together this little grazing board for the boys to enjoy this past week. we nibbled & giggled. we sipped & sat together. it was really sweet. literally & figuratively. and it was super simple to pull together. i had all of this in my pantry for the holiday season. and it ended up being a huge hit. the loved it.
so run to your grocery store and grab these little treats. it makes for a great mini hot cocoa party. i simply used chocolate chips. chocolate chunks. chocolate covered pretzels. assorted marshmallows. peppermint sticks. & crushed candy canes. the boys loved dunking & dipping all these into their hot cocoa mugs.

it was a real cup of cozy goodness.