Happy Halloween!!

This was Dylan's creation this year.  LOVED it.  As you know I love all things Halloween.  All things except the ridiculous question, "how much candy do you allow your children to eat"?  Every time I see that question, it drives me a little crazier.  I followed my parent's philosphy, eat whatever you want, whenever you want.  We always had candy left at Christmas which is true for my kids as well so I'm thinking that idea works;).

I realize that there are children who will eat themselves sick.  My guess is that they won't do it more than once so why not let them get it over with?  The children who will eat their entire bag of candy in two days regardless of consequence?  Take them to less houses.  I think the whole approach of "restricting" leads to anxiety but that's just me.

Anyway....Have a safe and happy Halloween!!  And, don't forget to eat LOTS of candy:)

Pumpkin Carving

Dylan heading to school 5 hours away was a bit of a transition but it's one we all made eventually but I miss him extra in October because we had our traditions.  Cookie baking, decorating and of course when it comes to pumpkin carving.  I could see the wheels turning when he started carving but he makes it look so easy.  And he always made something different and fun.

 You can't tell from the picture but he carved brains on the top.

Every year I also remember picking him up at pre-school on an October afternoon when he was 3.  The teacher pulled me aside and asked if everything was ok at home.  I told her it was.  She asked if Dylan was ok.  I said that I thought so and asked why.  She pulled out a big cut out orange construction  paper pumpkin that Dylan had drawn a face on.  He had also drawn tears down the face.  She pointed at the tears and said, "see why I'm concerned"? 

Dylan came out and I said, "Nice job on the pumpkin sweetie but why does it have tears"?  He looked at me and said, "Well wouldn't you be crying if someone was carving your face"?  I agreed I probably would, smiled at the teacher, took his hand and we left.  Lesson learned to always ask and not assume..even with a child.

Happy Birthday Dylan

Our baby is 18 today! Yes, time does fly. Yes, I'll shed a few tears. Yes, he has grown into a wonderful man and I'm proud to call him my nephew.

Happy Birthday Dylan!! May all your dreams come true.

My Boys

When I took this picture I had flashbacks of the years growing up like brothers. Dylan helping me get the nursery ready. When we finished, he laid in Max's crib and said, "The baby is going to love this room". He sang to him, played with him and simply adored him.

As they got older, they ran through the house playing games and laughing. Ice skating in the winter, Dylan so excited to help teach Max how and both developing a passion for hockey.

The phase of shut up in a room playing video games or outside shooting pucks. A little distance as the teenage years approached but Dylan would still come over to just hang with Max. He volunteered to be the "high school" mentor/coach for Max's hockey team and helped Max become a better defensive player.

They are similar, yet different and it compliments their relationship.

Here they are sharing one more memory, graduation. Max from middle school and Dylan from high school.

Congratulations boys!!

Dylan

It's the day before graduation and I sit here filled with emotions. Dylan is more than my nephew, he is my practice son. Tina was gracious enough to share him with me and I love him as much as I love my own children.

Tomorrow is the start of something big or at least that's what every Hallmark card says. But for Dylan, he's always been headed for something big, he's always been amazing.

His senior year included being a varsity letterman on his hockey team and being called "the nicest kid with the biggest heart that his coach ever had the pleasure of coaching" and you could tell that he spoke from his heart when he spoke about Dylan.

His senior documentary project received "Fan Favorite".

He was accepted to all three colleges he applied to and is headed off in August to start that journey. A journey I am personally NOT thinking about right now.

He received straight As the first semester this year. He also received a Wallin Scholarship which is a pretty HUGE deal around these parts.

Although to ask Dylan about any of these things, he shrugs, gives a shy smile, "it's not that big of a deal" he says. He is modest, he is honest, he is genuine.

Congratulations Dylan!

I love you to the stars and back!!

Senior Night

I know I've said this before, but seriously, where has the time gone??

I remember Craig taking Dylan to the local ice rink when he was 2 years old to teach him to skate. They would bring a folding chair and Dylan would push it across the ice, hop on and Craig would twirl him around the ice back to where he started and he would do it all over again. OVER and OVER again. He loved skating and he loved his Uncle Craig.

I think he was 6 when we signed him up for his first team and he was the best skater out there. Since that time, he hasn't stopped playing. He is an awesome offensive defensemen who is solid on his feet. A bunch of different teams, camps, his favorite one was a camp in Tampa with his favorite team Tampa Bay Lightening and many other memories he has stored of his days on the ice.

But tonight was his last home game and senior night for the Varsity Novas. They won 6-2 and Dylan played his solid defense. I've been teary in the weeks leading up to today but Tina and I had our "game" faces on and celebrated him. Another milestone but one that is bittersweet because I won't get to cheer him on at his games anymore. He's headed to college in September and his plans to play are strictly recreational and not competitive.

Here is his senior photo with one of his early photos on the left.

Tina, Craig, Alivia and I on the ice sharing his special moment.

I am SO proud of you Dylan!!

Prom

I still can't believe Dylan is old enough to go to his first prom. How did he get so old? How did my little guy who would wake me on Saturday mornings so he could color with his chalk on the front sidewalk become such a handsome man.

Yes, MAN...I can't pretend anymore that he is my little snuggle bunny. I had a knot in my stomach for the past two weeks while we received minor details of how the night would play out. I was sure that I would cry because I had been holding down that lump in my throat for so long. Tina and I not making eye contact with each other because we didn't want to set each other off. But as we prepared his pocket square and tightened his tie just right, all I felt was anticipation.

I was excited to see his date, to take the photos. It was a drizzly day so outside photos were out of the question so the kids re-routed to an inside location. It was hard not to grab and hold his hand as I've done on his many firsts as we walked into the Guthrie to take pre-prom photos.

The mood was festive. A bit chaotic with all the couples and parents trying to get the best shot. His date was late but that didn't ruffle Dylan's always calm demeanor. Genevieve came bubbling in and the snapping started. I kissed his cheek goodbye and told him to have a great time, he simply nodded and said thank you.

I have watched him grow without really seeing it until I reviewed the photos I took last night and that's when the tears slid from my eyes. I'm no longer able to deny the young man that is smiling back at me is growing up. And, this is just one more memory to tuck into my heart.

New Driver

Yesterday was one of those days that made me feel older. The kind of day that made my stomach drop a bit and my heart hurt just a little. It wasn't anything "bad", it was a sign of growing up. Dylan passed his drivers test.

I knew it was coming, he turned 16 in July. I've let him drive me around on the roads and highways. He's reminded me several times of the big test day. I knew it was coming. And, yet that lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes came anyway when he called to tell me that he passed.

For those of you that don't know, Dylan is my nephew and practice son. He has my heart as if he were my own because his Mom has been gracious enough to share him with me from the time he was born. Every year on his birthday, I get misty. Every big moment, I get misty. And, lately, every time I look at him I swallow hard because he has grown up and there is no more denying that he is a young man. A young man who just got his license.

Congratulations D!! Be safe, no texting and always wear your seat belt!!

Skor Cake

July is a BIG birthday month in our family. We have one on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 21st, 25th and 26th. Each birthday, adult and kids gets their own cake and party. I never have to wonder what my nephew Dylan is going to pick for his cake because since he has been able to talk, he asks for Skor Cake.

Skor candy bars are the same as Heath candy bars and Heath are easier to find and you can even get them pre-chopped by the chocolate chips.

So, here's how you make it.

1 yellow cake mix with NO pudding in the mix~Duncan Hines is what I use
1 Large Instant Chocolate pudding
2 Cups Water
2 Eggs

Put all of this in a bowl and mix it up with your electric mixer until it is thick and well blended. Pour into prepared pan, in this case, I used a 13x9. Cook cake for about 25 minutes at 350 or until tester comes out clean. Cool cake.

Frosting
1/4 C softened Butter
1 C Powdered Sugar
2 T Water
1 container Cool Whip defrosted

3/4 Bag chopped Heath bar or 4 Candy Bars chopped

Mix Butter, Powdered Sugar and water. Fold in Cool Whip and frost the cake. Sprinkle chopped Skor or Heath all over the cake. Chill for about an hour and serve. If you need to put the cake in the fridge for longer, that's ok..just add the candy before serving. The candy can get kind of funky if it's in the fridge too long.

Traditional Skor Cake

No Skor Cupcakes

I like how moist the Skor cake is so I tried it with Vanilla pudding instead of Chocolate and made them in cupcake tins. I topped with mixed fresh berries (1 container each of strawberries chopped, blueberries and raspberries mixed with 2-3 T Sugar. Let sit in the fridge for about an hour to make it's own juice)and Whipped Cream. Guess what, everyone LOVED it!