You lift the pillow—and SPLAT! Something cold, sticky, and sugary hits you right in the face! "BLEH! What in the jingle bells—?" you sputter, wiping frosting off your nose. There's frosting on your hair, your shirt, even your eyelashes! A tiny gingerbread voice giggles from behind the couch. "Direct frosting hit! Target covered!" You blink through the sugar storm. One gingerbread man is crouched near your dog's water bowl, his little icing buttons gleaming like Christmas lights. Another peeks out from behind a slipper, holding a pretzel stick like a spear. Your dog, Rex, perks up and sniffs the air. His tail starts wagging. His tongue lolls out. Uh-oh. Rex lets out a booming "WOOF!" that makes the cookies freeze mid-step. Their candy eyes go wide. "Don't move," one whispers. "Maybe the big furry monster won't see us." Too late. Rex takes one slow step forward, sniffing the air. "Retreat! Save the gumdrop buttons!" the gingerbread man yells. He darts across the rug like lightning, frosting footprints behind him. Rex barks happily and starts to give chase!