Recent Adventures with Sneaky the Elf

Boy has Sneaky been fun this year!  Even though there are those moments at 11:30 at night when Mr. Crazy and I look at each other half asleep asking "did you move the elf"?  But the second the kids find him in the morning make the late night adventures worth it... especially since I'm one who doesn't just like to move our elf... I like to create a scene of what he froze doing.

So without further ado... here is a continuation of our Sneaky Elf on the Shelf pictures:

Do you have an Elf on a Shelf?  Where has yours been spotted in the mornings?  I would l.o.v.e. to hear your ideas!

XOXO

Taste the Rainbow

Since Pinterest has become the new love of my life (sorry Mr. Crazy), finding ideas (and the time to do them) has become a main objective.  Knowing that my birthday is a mere 5 days away but we celebrated last night, I knew I had to try the ever-so-tempting Skittles infused Vodka that I saw on there.  I've created my own tutorial... and let's just say, the day and a half wait for the infusion was very well worth it.

Here is what you will need:

Vodka (6 ounces per bottle) - don't skimp on this step... buy Smirnoff or better.

5 empty water bottles

2 bags of skittles

Coffee filters

5 containers (I didn't have clear jars or flasks, so plastic containers sufficed.)

Funnel (because they make everything easier)

First step is separate the Skittles by color.

Then fill each water bottle with approximately 6 ounces of Vodka.  Take a shot if you feel the need.  Stay sober.

Put each set of colors into separate bottles and shake shake shake like crazy.  The more shakin, the better.

Don't these look super pretty so far???... just wait until you taste it!

Let sit overnight so the candies can dissolve more.  And if you want, shake a bit more before going to bed.  I told you shakin is good.  ;)

The next day, you will need to filter out some white sugary foam that forms at the top of each bottle.  I simply put a coffee filter in a funnel and filtered that way.  This process takes a little while so the more funnels you have to "multi-filter", the better.

Then voila!  You have Skittles flavored Vodka!!!

I put these in our freezer to chill prior to the party.  You can mix it with Sprite, Mountain Dew, Ginger Ale.  Have it on the rocks for all I care.  Just drink responsibly... and taste the rainbow!  We sure did.

Who knew Skittles + Vodka could be so awesome?

XOXO

Today = Baking Like Crazy

With the exception of a couple hours spent at a loud pizza place for my son's soccer banquet, I have been in the kitchen since 8am baking away.  Being a recent SAHM, I'm trying to get my baking business off the ground so at home is where I can stay... for good.

I am participating in a Christmas boutique in the Los Angeles area tomorrow so I'm working on four orders of Monkey Bread, two dozen Mochaccino Cupcakes, two dozen Sugar & Spice Cupcakes and last but not least, my super yummy Hot Chocolate Cookies.  It's ok... you can drool.

So while my cupcakes are in the oven, I just wanted to quickly update how our Elf on the Shelf, Sneaky, was doing.  He sure is a mischievous little elf.  Here is what he has been up to:

It's been so much fun in the morning to watch my kids run around looking for where he is... and even better when they actually find him.  

Linking my previous post to the following party!

Sunday Showcase

Check out her page - she has soooo many great ideas!

Happy December 3rd!... and Happy More Baking to me!

XOXO

  

Elf on the Shelf - "Sneaky"

Today, November 30, 2011, we welcomed a new member to our family... our own Elf on the Shelf.  I have been wanting to do this for a couple of years now and felt the kids were very ready for "him" this year.  So I bought the set at Barnes and Nobles and created little personalized letters for the kids.

I built "him" up all week long and boy were the kids excited.  They kept talking about how they were going to find him, what crazy things he was going to do, how good they were going to behave... yes, let's see how long that one lasts.

So tonight, the doorbell rang and on our doorstep was the book:

*props to Mr. Crazy for running around the house so quickly*

I opened the door and told the kids that there was a "special guest" at our door... they knew right away and came hurdling down the stairs screaming with excitement.  I told them the book meant that he was in the house somewhere and they needed to find him!  So the search began under beds, in the bathrooms, on a shelf (ha ha get it?)... but alas, he was hiding with the Christmas presents:

I can't even begin to tell you how hard it was for them not to touch him.  It was quite hilarious if you ask me.  They grabbed their letters and treats and read them aloud.  Their little faces... I can't get over them.  Filled with so much joy and excitement.  I could barely take pictures.

So Mr. Crazy sat down with them and read them the Elf on the Shelf story so that they would understand he reports to Santa every night while they're sleeping and that if they touch him, his magic goes away.

Welcome to our family, Sneaky.  I plan on having lots of fun moving you around and helping the kids find you in the mornings.  Hopefully, you'll be quite an incentive for my children to behave a bit more...  I will be forever grateful.

I hope you Mommies out there try this, too.  I really love how much fun my kids are already having with it... and when they're happy, I'm happy.

Linking up at:
Sunday Showcase

XOXO

Did you miss me?

I've missed blogging so I'm back at it again.  Go figure.  Hopefully, I can stick with it this time, because I did in fact, miss it.  I think I was seriously delusional to believe working full time, 3 kids and their activities, tending to Mr. Crazy, plus being crafty enough to take pictures and post tutorials each and every time, was a good idea.  So here's the new story:

I was working full time.  Have you ever seen the movie "Devil Wears Prada"?  Yeah, I worked for the male version of Miranda.  Setting my alarm clock for 2am to make phone calls internationally for him.  Always at his wife's beck and call.  Running around like crazy.  Not to mention, being blamed for everything under the sun.  I not only assisted him, but also the CFO and I took on the accounting for all aircraft located at our jet center.  I wasn't busy or anything.  However, what started out as lower back pain turned into hospitalization for symptoms of a heart attack... I'm 28 people.  h.e.a.r.t.  a.t.t.a.c.k.  Seeing my kids in tears over seeing me hooked up to machines pretty much did me in on that one.  Luckily, the company conveniently "dissolved" my position after my bed rest was over so now I'm one happy stay at home mommy and completely off all medications used to get me through my days.

So I'm back and motivated more than ever... can we say thank you, Pinterest?  I used to think surfing blog world was an obsession... hello glass of wine and what's like 100 blogs on one page!  I have so many ideas for this Christmas season, plus the Holidays are just so much fun to post about.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.  We sure did.  Gobble Gobble.

XOXO

"What I LOVE Wednesday"

After a crazy morning of getting myself and two children out the door, I get to hear two little voices sing this song from the backseat:

Then, to have my four year pinkie promise me that he would stay four forever (and I could stay 28 forever) melted my heart.  GREAT start to my morning.

American Idol top 24 have been announced and now the performances have begun.  Lauren Alaina is going to win this season... just sayin.

My husband knows just how to make my day better.  Yes, these funfetti fudge brownies are an evil goodness.  

Finally, the best ending to my day:  reading with my son.  I can't wait to finish dinner and plop down on the couch next to him. (Obviously not him and I in the picture below.) He's grown so much and is one step away from being bumped up to 2nd grade Accelerated Reading.  So.Very.Proud.

Those are this week's Wednesday loves... what are yours?

XOXO

Mingling, Cupcakes and My First Feature!

Happy Monday Blogland!  Wow has it been a very crazy and hectic day at work for me.  Went by fast so I definitely can't complain.
I woke up this morning and checked my dashboard before work to discover that I had been featured at none other than the fabulous 504 Main!

What an honor!  She featured my chalkboard vases project, so if you need any inspiration, you can check it out here:  Chalkboard Vase Project
Definitely a great way to start my day.  Thanks so much Holly!

I wanted to share that I made Pink Champagne Cupcakes the other day - totally delish.  Except very sweet and you can definitely taste the champagne... so if you're good with that, you should try them.

The frosting also has champagne in it so beware... it's quite so addictive you can't put them down yummy.

You can find the recipe here:  Betty Crocker Pink Champagne Cupcakes

Well kids' homework is complete, dinner is consumed, so you can now find me snuggled on the couch and blog hopping over at:


Hope to see you there!  Mingle away!

XOXO