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

Disneyland Surprise

Please forgive the delay in posting... that flu bug I got hit with a couple of weeks ago came back with a true vengeance on Tuesday of this week.  Hey, at least it waited until after Disneyland.  :)  Regardless, I had 103 degree fever, a cough that won't stop, body aches, chills, yada yada yada.  So much fun!

But here it is... the Disneyland surprise post.
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I brought the boys into my room Monday morning and gave them this card:

It says: Landon and Cameron, I can't wait to see you today at Disneyland.  Love, Mickey Mouse

Their reaction on video isn't working on here, but let's just say, NOT the one I was expecting.  No jumping up and down excitement until they realized (and after much explanation from me) that we were going right then.  Cameron thought the surprise was McDonald's!  And then wanted to play Wii instead!  Seriously, McDonald's and Wii take priority over a surprise trip to Disneyland?  Shoot me now.  But it definitely didn't ruin the day.  We had such a blast!

We started off at California Adventure: went on Tower of Terror (yes, all three of us... Cameron didn't really know what was going to happen and he met the height requirement), then saw Ms. Cassie in Aladdin.  She plays Jasmine.  She even had us do a "meet and greet" after the show!  So awesome!

Then we made our way over to Disneyland and spent the rest of the day there.  It started to get really crowded because of it being a Monday Holiday, but that didn't stop us from having a great time.  We ended the day with Space Mountain, and boy do I have the BEST picture from the ride.  It's the one that the ride takes as you're on it, and since the roller coaster is completely pitch dark, I couldn't see Cameron's face while sitting next to me.  But when I saw the snapshot on the screen after we were finished, I could not stop laughing.  It is poster child terrified!  LOL  But they did great, and I was so proud of how brave they were.  It's currently on my desk at work, so check back in a couple days when I can post it.

Here are some things I learned on our date day:
1) I loathe the chains or ropes that make up the lines.  No matter what, your child will ALWAYS play with them paying no attention to who's butt, leg, or child they are hitting.
2) Even if you are obviously by yourself with two children pushing a double stroller, PEOPLE WILL NOT MOVE FOR YOU.  I could be pushing the kids up a hill and yet I, get that I, had to move out of the way for teenagers and/or other people coming down.  About the third or fourth time of my stroller wheels getting caught in the parade tracks, I stopped moving and just started running into people.  I even told Cameron to stick his feet out.  Yup, I did that.  Can you blame me?
3) The healthy food stands in the park cost 50% less than all the junk food stands!  What the heck?!?!  I'm so lucky that I packed lunches and snacks, but I'm even luckier that I have kids that choose apples and bananas over churros and cotton candy.
4) People in line like to become your best friend.  Sorry, but I don't feel like learning your life story while I'm trying to stop my children from hitting people with the chains.
5) Walking past the bakery on Main Street on your way out is a must.  Going inside and waiting in the long line to get a baked good is a must.  Keeping your children in the stroller while you're waiting is a must.  Mmmmmm I can still taste the snickerdoodle.

All in all, best.day.ever.  I will never forget that day of craziness, excitement and pure joy.  A big thank you to our dear friend, Ms. Cassie for making the day possible.  It will be a day I cherish forever.

Happy Sunday to you all.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and happy blogging!

XOXO

One Insane Week

This week in one word: INSANE.  Undeniably insane.
Work has been overwhelming.  And even though I've been able to sit down after the kids go to sleep and work on some crafts (aka blanket, jewelry, headbands and bows), I just haven't had the energy to lay them out, make them look presentable, take pictures and link up to parties.  So I am so very sorry.  But I'll catch my breath soon.

Couple of fun things:

The hubby, Mr. Crazy, upgraded my wedding band set for Valentine's Day.  I was shocked!  It's on my finger now and I can't stop looking at it:

Ummm yeah, I'm in love.  :)

Landon has a dance competition at the Disneyland Hotel this weekend and we're so excited for him.  I love seeing my little man up on stage... and he loves it when people cheer for him.  Especially in hip hop.

Then on Monday, for some reason my work decided to honor the President's Holiday.  Not complaining, just shocked. So....
A friend is blessing me and my two little boys by signing us into Disneyland!!!!  I made them a poster to open on Monday morning that reads:  Landon and Cameron, Can't wait to see you today at Disneyland!  Love, Mickey Mouse.  They have absolutely no clue and I cannot wait to surprise them!  A video will be coming for sure, you can count on it!  I get to have a Mommy-boys date day and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I'll be taking pictures like crazy.  :)

Hope everyone has a fantastic-incredible-exciting-crazy weekend!
I'll be blog hopping at:

Come join the hopping-commenting fun!

XOXO

Valentines Fudge Squares

Whether you love Valentine's Day or not, one thing is always good... CHOCOLATE.  And I'm talking fudge.... made from scratch.  Mmmmmm.  Best part, it's the easiest thing in the world to make!  No baking, just microwaving.  Seriously.

Here is what you will need:
1 1/4 cup semi sweet morsels
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

1 1/4 cup white chocolate morsels
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

Mix the semisweet morsels with the milk and salt, melt in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between each.  This only took me two 30 second go arounds in the microwave before it was smooth.  Spread into an 8x8 dish lined with foil.

Repeat with the white chocolate morsels, but melt at 20 second intervals instead of 30.  Again, this only took two 20 second go arounds.  Spread on top of chocolate.  Cut squares with a knife while the fudge is still warm and top off with a conversation heart candy.  Refrigerate uncovered for at least 2 hours.

Remove the fudge by pulling the foil completely out.  Re-cut gently to remove fudge from foil.  And ta-da!  You've got adorable fudge squares for Valentine's Day!  I put them in heart cupcake liners and Valentine's bag just because I can.  ;)

They're to die for.  And to give away so I don't gain 15 pounds.  Hope you enjoy!
This week's projects consist of all things blue and green to represent Cutting Edge Dance Center... next competition is this coming Sunday at the Disneyland hotel.  I'm making jewelry, bows, blankets... it's an obsession and I can't help myself.  Yup, it's one of those moments where I'm definitely "That Crazy Mom Over There".  What can I say, I'll always support my kids loudly and proudly.  Can you blame me?  They're crazy adorable!
Happy Sunday everyone... and Happy Blogging!

XOXO

Chalkboard Vases!

Ok this was seriously so much fun and super easy to do... the only hard part... being p.a.t.i.e.n.t.

I got three different size vases at the Dollar Tree and Chalkboard paint from Home Depot:

I painted in vertical strokes for the first coat.  Then waited three, count it t.h.r.e.e. hours before applying the second in horizontal strokes.  Finally, I waited an entire day before putting on the final coat.  Glossy finish before drying:

Are we liking the Michael's newspaper?  Ok just had to throw that in.  :)
The waiting got even worse.  I waited three WHOLE DAYS before painting on red frames/designs and once those were dry, it was chalking time!!!  Man was I excited.  And when I'm happy, my household is happy.

I made them "Valentine-ish", cause you know, duh, isn't everyone doing V-day stuff right now?  LOL  You better believe I will be changing these up constantly.
I want to give a HUGE thank you to Domestically Speaking for the project idea.  I ADORE my new multi-purpose vases.
Linking up to:


















XOXO

An Everything Post - Food, Cake and Projects!

I'm feeling better!  Which means lots to do and so little time to do it all!

Where to begin?  Ok first, here are some food pics from our Superbowl Party.  After all was said and done, we had 42 people over for the big game, two tv's going inside and out, jacuzzi time, and PLENTY of munchies!

Homemade Cinnamon Chips

 Meatballs in Tomato Sauce for "Turnovers"

 Look at all the food!

A few posts ago, I posted about the "jazz" cake I made.  But I was finally able to upload better pictures of it, so here you go!

Triple Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Filling, Buttercream Frosting, Fondant Pieces

I'd really love some feedback.  I definitely had a lot of fun doing this one.

On to one of the projects for this week.  I read a project at Domestically Speaking on using chalkboard paint on vases or old empty glass bottles.  So I started it this week!  Here's the progress... final pictures to come for some party links this weekend:

They definitely take a few coats, so be patient, like 3 hours in between coats patient.  Then 3 days before chalking on patient.  I hate being patient.  But I WILL wait.  The finished product will be worth it.

I'm also working on one of those "no sew" blankets in my son's dance studio's colors.  Go green and blue!  Let's just say this Mama is not going to be cold in a theater or ballroom anymore.  :) I'll post pics when I'm finished with that as well.

XOXO