Let the Good Times Roll....

July 9 & 10, 2010
Lots of time was devoted to play during Ken and Baba's visit. Bailey was tickled to have a puzzle partner and everyone got in the mix with new Lego's courtesy of Grandpa Ken and Baba.

We spent some time playing outside and even managed to harvest a strawberry before the bird and bunnies had their way with it.
Nothing says summer like a frozen snack in the wagon!

Soon it was time to commence with what has become a bit of a summer tradition, celebrating "Ken's Birthday Observed". We treat it much like a legal holiday and celebrate during their summer visit since it is so close to the actual birthday. This year's treat consisted of a group of penguin cupcakes in honor of Ken's favorite animal.

Hayden was selected to do the honors and deliver the birthday cupcake on our special celebration plate reserved for the birthday gal or guy depending on the occasion. The kids were jazzed to dine on the penguins!Some time ago, Hayden and Grandpa Ken got started with showing off their post cupcake mouth makeovers and this year Miss Bailey got in the mix!
Here's the popcorn bowl the kids painted for Ken's gift. Long live movie night!

'Fishing' You a Happy Father's Day

June 20, 2010

We had a wonderful Father's Day with Michael this past year. We celebrated all that he does to keep our family running smoothly with lawnmower cupcakes and presents. The kids were super excited to share a treat with Daddy!
We made handprint cards beforehand complete with thumbprint crabs. Michael was amused with our artistic efforts! Hayden and Bailey also got to decorate the presents before Michael got home that day. Hayden drew lots of planets and moons while Bailey wanted me to trace her little feet.

Then the kiddos helped Michael open his gifts, solar lanterns for our front walk. At some point, Michael had mentioned that he thought that would be a nice addition to our front yard and this was the perfect time to make that happen! The kids and I are very grateful for all that Michael does to take care of our crazy crew and we look forward to celebrating many more special days with our favorite guy!

It's a Jungle Out There...So Let's Make Muffins!

June 13, 2010

This was pretty much a day for feasting at Casa Marx. After our bacon loving dinner, we dined on delectable Monkey Bread Muffins from Trisha Yearwood's Cookbook. Pretty tasty vittles...

Monkey Bread Muffins

1 12 oz. can biscuits (10 in a can)

3 Tbs. maple syrup

1/4 c. butter, melted

2/3 c. sugar

1 Tbs. ground cinnamon

1/2 c. finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin pan. With kitchen shears, cut each biscuit into 4 pieces; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup and melted butter. In a separate bowl, mix the cinnamon, sugar and pecans.

Dip each biscuit piece into the maple butter mixture, then roll in the sugar mixture. Place 3 or 4 coated pieces in each muffin cup, pressing down to compact.

Bake the muffins for 15-17 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. Serve warm.

Happy Birthday Mars!

In case you were curious....planets have birthdays, or at least that what Hayden tells us. So on May 17, 2010 we took time out of our busy schedule to celebrate the birth of Mars. I did my very best to make up a batch of cupcakes that looked rusty, inside and out. In honor of the Red Planet's big day, we even gave the cupcakes a fruit preserve filling to simulate a molten core. Then it was time for everyone to frost and decorate their edible planets.

Somewhere along the line, Hayden felt the need to deal with some details, which I am sure is shocking to our loyal readers... Mars needed to have polar ice caps. So I foraged about and was able to drum up white sprinkles that Sir Hayden happily transformed into frigid caps on his cupcake. I think it's safe to say that he was pretty tickled with the results, don't you?

When it came time to sing, Miss Bailey made sure that her best buddy WahWah was front and center for the festivities. It's good to be inclusive, so I supported her efforts.
Then I was surprised to hear that it was time for presents. Who knew we were going all out with this shindig? It would seem that H had spent his quiet time assembling gifts to present our birthday planet. How kind!
Here he is holding up his Lego Mars so that it could gaze upon a creation for Hayden's workshop. Hayden and Mars took time to play with all of the presents below.

I must say a good time was had by all. While the passion for planets has dimmed a bit, the birthday party idea has not. Young H is currently lobbying for a Darth Vader birthday celebration which leaves me wondering if it is wise to bake for the dark side......We'll see!

Homespun Goodness...

As April began to wrap up, it was my turn to host craft night. I realize that April turned into the month of the cupcake for me but it was nice to make a big old batch of buttercream up and spread it over several projects. My new cupcake book had a fun idea for knitting cupcakes and there really couldn't be a better time to try these cupcakes than that could there?

Sunny Days...

At the end of April it was time for Teacher Appreciation Week at H's Preschool. I took in these Sunflower cupcakes which were quite fun to decorate!

Karaoke Cupcakes

Here's a few pics of the microphone cupcakes I got to try out in April for a Karaoke Mom's Night Out and Farewell Dinner for a friend who was moving. Do they fill your heart with song? teehee...

Red Carpet Cupcakes

Lights, Camera, Cupcakes!

March 7th was also Oscar Night. WooHoo! Red Carpet fun and glamour all around. I was headed off to an Oscar Soiree and signed up to bring along a dessert. It was the perfect opportunity to try out the popcorn minicupcakes from my lovely cupcake book.
I loaded up my trifle bowl with a Best Supporting Cupcake Nominee Sign and headed out for an award winning evening.