E-mail to Santa

Dear Santa,
I hope you have a wonderful flight. Is Rudolph ok? We will leave cookies by the fireplace for you. How many toys do you think you have? We have been a good boys, most of the time. I hope Kakeman doesn't hypnotize you again. We like Kakeman because he is funny. See you soon.

Love, Adam and Zach Dyer

First Grade Christmas Program

Zach's first grade class put on a Christmas program. Each student memorized a poem, and said it in front of the audience. Then a group of students would sing a song in the front. The whole class sang a few songs and then we all sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at the end. There was even a little reception following with cookies and milk!

Zach is the one wearing the Santa hat. The kids were supposed to wear their pajamas. Zach had a really cute flannel set with a penguin on it. But he insisted on wearing his Lego Star Wars bottoms, with a short sleeved pj top that did not match. We finally agreed on a plain red shirt.
Zach's poem was about Christmas smells:
"Ummm, the smell of Christmas is everywhere I go,
Evergreens and holly, and pretty mistletoe,
Gingerbread and cookies, and fresh pumpkin pie,
Smoke is in the chimney, curling to the sky."

Best Day Ever

What makes up the "Best Day Ever" for a seven or eight year old boy?

Go see a movie with Dad. Eat popcorn.

Go out to eat lunch. It doesn't matter where you go as long as there is cheeseburgers, nachos or chicken fingers.

Listen to a guy talk about Legos. Talk with other kids about Legos. See cool pictures of amazing things built with Legos including a 22-foot replica of the Titanic, Jurrassic Park, and a presidential inauguration ceremony.

Buy the book about Legos,(watch promotional video on YouTube) talk to the author and have it signed by him.

Have a sleepover with your friend. Zach got invited to spend the night at his best buddy's house. Adam invited his bestie to sleep here. Have pizza for dinner, watch a movie and stay up past bedtime playing Super Mario Bros on the Wii.

Wake up early and play (the Wii, legos, soccer...it really doesn't matter).

Have something other than oatmeal or cereal for breakfast (pancakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, etc).

Related: if you want to serve the best lunch ever at home, you would serve hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and chocolate milk.

Baking by the numbers

19 pretzel rods
10 eggs
7 1/4 cups flour
4 3/4 cups sugar
2 cups powdered sugar
1 3/4 cups shortening
1 2/3 cups oil

1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cups syrup
1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons vanilla
3 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon peppermint

1 apple
1 brownie mix
1 can pumpkin
1 can frosting
1 bag chocolate chips
1/2 bag white chocolate chips
4 crushed candy canes

4 hours bake time

55 sugar cookies
40 caramel, chocolate dipped vanilla wafer sandwich cookies with sprinkles
35 peppermint brownie bites
20 chocolate peanut butter cookies
14 chocolate dipped pretzels
5 mini loafs, 1 large loaf, harvest pumpkin apple bread.

Mommy Guilt, part 2

"To Mommy, Love Zach

I rilly (really) like you so if you wood (would) stop yeling (yelling) at me I wood (would) do as I am told.

Love Zach!"

Related: Sunday, October 3: Mommy Guilt