and we're back

We've been missing! but pile up a really busy week, followed by a week of a very sick household (Mike even had to take a day off to take care of the rest of us!) and a fabulous extra long weekend celebrating Carter's fourth birthday with a visit from Papa and Grandma.... I think we're back into routine again.

Here's what we've been up to:

playing with new wooden blocks from Opa & Gramma Buikema.
Opa made the blocks out of discarded wall studs from
my Mom & Dad's house after their kitchen renovation.

lining up McQueen and his team for a big race

reading stories with Papa (specifically: Walter the Farting Dog)

shoveling all the new snow for Dad (they do a good job, don't they?)

a little face

Here she is! Our third little one and a little sister for Carter and Logan. It all seems much more real when there's a face to look at, doesn't it? I'm hoping you can all see her head on the left with her hand above her face. See her nose and below her mouth is open with her tongue sticking out... Think what you will of that -- but she'll fit in just right!

what Carter said

We all know little ones say the most amazing things but this one astounded me yesterday.

Every evening when the boys see the headlights from Mike's truck come up the driveway they run to the kitchen and wait and wait for him at the baby gate. This position gives them the best view of the hall to the back entrance where Dad will soon enter. As soon as Mike is in the door there is a fury of two little voices yelling, "Hi Dad!" as well as a report on the entire day's activities in about thirty seconds. (This is Mike's favourite part of coming home after a long day of work.)

This is what we heard from Carter last night as Mike got out of his steel toes and winter coveralls: "Oh, there's Dad in his best suit."

Where/how do they come up with these things? I must write more of them down...

baby frame

Here's hoping Jenilee (Mike's sister) isn't a dedicated reader of my blog -- for the next couple days anyways. Little Connor (son of Jeni & Kyle -- not my brother Kyle) is not only celebrating his first birthday this week (Dec 2) but will also be dedicated on Sunday. I'd post his little cheese (it's a very cute one) but not without permission and well, that might make them look.

We're not able to attend the weekend's festivities with the rest of the family (they live a four drive from us) but I didn't forget Connor's frame. It's a little tradition of sorts I've started within the last year or so for new babies of family and friends-- typically a gift for Dedication Day though.

must make

I can't remember whose blog I saw these little wonders on but they are made by 3 Girls and a Goat on Etsy and I can't get them out of my head. I must make these!

I've trekked to Michael's, two boys in tow, 40% off coupon in my wallet, to purchase a scalloped circle paper punch and found the box of old, received Christmas cards up on the top shelf of the closet.

And now I start. Punching holes, no: medallions from those Christmas wishes and greetings from years gone by but what I'll have in the end will be so much prettier and eye-appealing than that box of old cards. You will marvel at this hanging in my house. What would you think if I left a stack of Christmas wishes from 2001 on my mantle?

More to come!

cinnaMIN-ny

I try my best to plan an activity for Carter and I while Logan has his afternoon naps. It chases away the boredom monster. We made these cinnamon buns a few weeks ago but I had forgotten about these pictures. Just so you know, I'm trying to cultivate more than one Buikema-Baker...

(Notice how Mike did not paint the inside of my kitchen cupboard doors? Forces me keep them closed cuz they're still ugly on the inside...)

Yes, it's a terrible picture -- in quality -- but I love this smile and glee. Carter worked that pile of flour with his two spatulas for so long...


The result: two dozen yummy cinnamon buns. I used to make them all the time and now, not so much anymore. Better get on that.

Oh...
You thought I was going to share the recipe like previous cooking and baking posts.

Not this time, honey! This one is mine!

two

Here is Logan in all his two-ness splendor! And some other party pics -- enjoy!


The cake was a hit and really was fun to put together too. Best of all: it was quick!

In the next moment, I turned the cake so Logan could blow out his candle. The flame, however, was too much to resist. He put his little finger in it. Ouch! I think he felt more betrayed than hurt though because he moved on to cake-mode quite quickly.

Carter is making quick work out of his favourite dessert.

Logan was left to his lonesome to eat and play with his cake trucks after everyone else gobbled down their cake. He took his time and enjoyed every morsel while I kept him company.




On the theme of "messes", all the kids at the party went home with their very own kid-sized apron (yes, I sewed them) -- the pockets were stuffed with treats, of course.