I was supposed to set the timer?

Fortunately, we make 3 pizzas on pizza night and had two others to eat for dinner.

Questionable Cosby?

We have started watching The Cosby show.  I had forgotten how good it was and when reintroduced to it recently, I loved it all over again and thought the boys would too.  We started recording it and watching it here and there.

So far the boys love it!  However, the other day was an episode done on smoking.  It was well done and just fine for my 6 and 8 year old.  And of course, Mr. Huxtable handled the situations with perfect parenting skills.

A couple of days after watching that episode, AJ had his friend spend the night and while they were eating dinner, I offered that they could watch a Cosby.  AJ came over very quietly and asked me, "Is the Cosby show appropriate for (insert friend's name)?"

I just laughed as I thought about my 6 year old being concerned about what's appropriate for another 6 year old.  Plus... c'mon.. it's the Cosby show!  But then, I soon caught AJ giving his buddy a very serious play by play of the smoking episode.

Ahhh...  that's where the question came from.

To: Santa, not Dad

Andrew made sure the cookies were eaten by the right man on Christmas Eve.

He then signed the note using the first initial of each of our names.

Merry Christmas!

Sentimental Sunday: Door on a Door

I’ve been blogging for over 8 years. That’s a lot of great and not so great moments documented. I main reason I blog is to remember these times… good and bad. “Sentimental Sunday”, is when I link back and remember posts I’ve written in the last several years.

Originally Posted November 23rd, 2008 …"so everybody will know what our door looks like." ….

Mr Who?

The other day, Andrew was walking around with his hoodie on.  However, the hood was tucked inside the back of the jacket and it looked more like a sweater cardigan than a hoodie.

I mentioned he look like he was wearing a Mr. Roger sweater.

He responded, "Mr. Who?  You mean Aaron Rogers?"

For those of you who may not know, Aaron Rogers is the quarterback for the Greenbay Packers.

Sigh.

Very Sick Little Boy

So... twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, we are Lysol-ing and laundering the blankets and every available surface.

AJ is sick.  Man, he is sick.  Came home from school with a fever on Monday and hasn't been back.  Poor little guy.  It's been a rough couple days and it's still going.  So we are doing everything in our power to help him get better and help us stay healthy.

Might be fighting a losing battle. As every mother knows..... when you're kid is miserable, hacking and sneezing left and right, and he just wants to be draped over you, snuggle next to you, or sleep in your bed....  there is only so much you can do.

He's missing out on all the fun week-before-break activities at school including his class Christmas party today.  I don't think he's really realized it yet as I think he's lost track of time with all his days home, but I feel terrible for him.  He was SO excited about it.

Honestly, I was really excited about today, too.  I took the day off work.  I rarely get to attend the boy's school parties or their field trips.  So I intentionally took today off so I could be there for both boy's parties AND have time in between them to do some much needed tasks before Christmas and family comes to visit.  Things like errands, shopping, sitting in a coffee shop drinking my free birthday coffee, working out  (which I haven't been able to do AT ALL this week), meet my hubby for lunch... another thing I never get to do, despite him asking regularly.

Ok, I was SUPER excited for today.  So the mom in me feels terrible for my AJ and how miserable he feels.  The very selfish side of me is really disappointed that instead of my plans... I'm home washing, washing, washing.

But that's the way it goes.   It's part of being a mom and since that's the best job in the whole world, I'll take these days along with the mostly good days.  I have my 6 year old to hold and snuggle and get me sick and that's not something to take for granted this Christmas.

Dykstra Family 2012

We all gathered together for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and to celebrate Mom's upcoming retirement.

It was so great to see everyone and watch the cousins play as if they see each other every day.

Free toys for sale!

AJ packed up a few of his old toys in a box and asked to out them down by the curb with this sign.

(he's seen his mom & dad get rid of a few things that way)

Trust

Resting in His shadow today and prayerfully placing my children there too. 

Ps 91 "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Thanks Sue.

Sentimental Sunday: Mission Accomplished (Might be the cutest video ever!)

I’ve been blogging for over 8 years. That’s a lot of great and not so great moments documented. I main reason I blog is to remember these times… good and bad. “Sentimental Sunday”, is when I link back and remember posts I’ve written in the last several years.

Originally Posted December 20th, 2007 (Link Fixed)

See how AJ even hugs and kisses them? (please click through - it will make your heart melt!)

Thirty-Something...

It's been a somber day here in light of this.

However it is my Birthday today.

Does it mean I'm old if I want a pan of enchiladas from our local mexican restaurant over a birthday cake?  Just stick a couple candles it and I'd be a happy girl.

...unless it's a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake.

Giving these boys an education

Marc decided it was time the boys learned the game RISK. If they manage to not knock the board over between their celebration jumps when they take an army, it will be a miracle. It's also quite a test of their "teacher's " patience. Might be an annual game only. We'll see.

Oh Christmas Tree

Check out our Christmas Tree story here!

 

Life with Boys

I’d like to say this us the first time we’ve had to dry out homework. Unfortunately… It’s not.

MVP of the Day: My Kitchenaid Stand Mixer!

Yesterday,  I got the majority of my Christmas baking done!

Huge batch of cut-out cookies.  Couple batches baked and frosted, the rest are cut and in the freezer ready to baked then frosted.

Huge batch of Spritz cookies.  One batch baked and already gone, rest pressed and in the freezer, ready to bake

Four batches of biscotti made and ready to give away.

Huge batch of peanut blossoms.  One batch baked, the rest rolled and in the freezer ready to bake.

I still have a few batches of biscotti to make, a pan of baked oatmeal for breakfasts, and I'd like to try my sister-in-law's chocolate pecan pie this year.  Of course, I am sure I will need to make more banana bread soon as that is a staple in the house, anyway.

Any sweet tooth in the house should be satisfied for a while now.  Christmas-time is just lovely!

Sentimental Sunday: The Bubble Song

I’ve been blogging for over 8 years. That’s a lot of great and not so great moments documented. I main reason I blog is to remember these times… good and bad. “Sentimental Sunday”, is when I link back and remember posts I’ve written in the last several years.

Originally Posted May 16th, 2006  …So I asked him about it and he just kept asking me to sing the Bubble Song. So I thought and started singing Tiny Bubbles knowing full well that can’t be what song he is referring to. “No! No! No! Sing the Bubble Song”. ….

Guess what we did last Saturday.

We started our morning with breakfast at the Real Food Cafe. This is our second year eating breakfast here before picking out Christmas tree from across the street at Ken's Fruit Market.  Buy Local!

My Surprise Gift

This folder with the Ninja drawing was found in my office bag one morning as a surprise to decorate my office.

We don't rake to remove leaves....

Still working out blog kinks... bear with me.