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Giant cupcake making – Take 2

Posted on May 5, 2008 11:16 pm by TheAngelForever

Saturday and Sunday it was time to bake and decorate the second test run of JSL’s first birthday cake. The first attempt can be seen here and viewed being eaten here. From the first baking we learned some valuable things. We knew that we had to put a lot less batter into the pan and bake it for less time.

Thanks to Google I was able to find a great hint. Someone mentioned baking it at 325 (not 350) for 65 minutes (we actually only kept it in 50 minutes). They also said to put 3 1/2 cups of batter into the bottom section and 3 cups into the top. Another pointer was to freeze the cake to make it easier to carve. While out and about we also decided to try something different for decorating. We found a new toy for me to use. Here it is:

Several of the photos of completed giant cupcakes had tops that had used a similar tool. We figured it was worth the small investment since it will be used again.

Given the resources I found we bought two marble cake mixes and whipped frosting and were ready to go. Things were a little more complicated with the marbling. We had to figure how much to leave out of each side to have the right amount left for the little cupcakes (we had a dozen of those this time). It took a bit more time, but we now believe it was worth it and will go quickly for JSL’s birthday. Here is the finished product after it was almost completely decorated Sunday night.

Giant Cupcake Take 2

We ran out of frosting with a bit left to go. Ooops! Thank goodness JL’s co-workers did not seem to care as they devoured the cake rather quickly.

The deal was to send the giant cupcake into work and keep the little ones home. Here are half of the ones we had for all of us to enjoy. They have my favorite frosting from childhood on them that was discontinued for a while. Thank goodness it is back!

Hopefully the cake baking Saturday will go as smoothly. We just need to finalize the topper for the cake that will go along with the giant star sprinkles that I bought especially for JSL’s 1st birthday cake. We think we want something from Sesame Street and have to figure a way to write his name on it. Plus the #1 candle needs to be on top.

Enjoy the sugary goodness of the photos, more will be coming Sunday after the party!

Categories:
birthday food glorious food fun photos yummy

Park adventures with my boys

Posted on April 27, 2008 10:14 pm by TheAngelForever

Last Sunday before the second Passover seder we decided to take the boys to the park for some fresh air. We also thought it would be wise to let NHL to run off some steam. It was an absolutely gorgeous spring day.

Upon arriving at the park NHL bolted from the car (with permission) like this:

JSL was not so sure about the thing in the sky. Thanks to the long, dark, cold winter he forgot what the sun was like. For a while he was content to stay in his stroller under some shade with his sun hat on.

We watched as NHL climbed on anything and everything in his path. My what some amazing therapists can do for a kiddo. Last year at this time he would have asked for some assistance. Now, he could care less if we are there.

Wahoo - sliding fun!

Quickly JSL was getting very antsy and wanted out of the stroller. He saw his big brother having fun and wanted to get closer. JL decided to show him around the park. Please note the big smile behind his binky.

Unfortunately for JL, the little guy did not remain entertained by being out and watching for long. Before I knew it all three of my boys were running all over the playground. The first stop the BIG slide.

Do you think JSL liked his first adventures on the slide? Check these out to see what you think. Be sure to hover over the photos for some captions from Flickr.

Wait for us NHL

Check out who won

JSL's first time down the slide

Even more fun the second time

Third times the charm!

The little kiddie swings here were not too great. They were made for ages two and up and we quickly saw why.

Swings a little too big

When this did not work out JL and JSL ran to catch up with NHL to try something else. The two boys wanted to do a brother train down the smaller slide together. Run ~~Forest~~ JL Run!

The boys go on the slide together

Smiles all around

NHL ran all over the place while Daddy and JSL tried to keep up. Still it was amazing to watch JSL be so happy following his big brother and being in Daddy’s arms.

NHL was very serious as he contemplated the next location to go to in the park.

Serious kiddo

Before I knew it they were all off again . . . to the other side of the park. Before arriving at their final destination, JL and JSL stopped for a quick swing. Not NHL trying to be patient in the background while the other boys were swinging.

Look at NHL waiting patiently in back

Then it was time for everyone to go round and round and get a little dizzy. At first JSL was not too sure about this. Before long he was barking at JL to go more!

Soon it was time to go and get ready for our second Passover seder. Before heading off it was time to catch a quick ride on the T-Rex.

This afternoon we went back to the park for another fun trip before the rain comes in for the week. JSL immediately wanted to go and play. He is so anxious to be able to go and run with his big brother. Soon enough we will be yelling at both of the boys to come back to us.

The nice thing with today, hours after we went Passover is officially over! It is now time to break out the bagels, pizza and other yummy chametz people!

Categories:
brothers fun jl jsl laughs milestone my boys nhl photos weekend

Hat appreciation & Package O’Fun

Posted on April 26, 2008 11:09 pm by TheAngelForever

A few weeks back my parents went to my Cousin M’s wedding in California (still bummed I was unable to go). My father was in his glory because he is a HUGE LA Dodger fan. After they arrived home the boys and I went to visit. Dad quickly showed JSL his new LA Dodger hat and placed it on his head. Here are some photos from JSL trying to fill Papa’s large hat.

BTW – No Dad, I am not saying you have a big head. Mayor Big Head is the one with an extra large cranium!

Be sure to hover over the photos for the captions.

Making Papa proud

As you can see, JSL enjoyed playing with the hat more than actually wearing it. Hopefully he will appreciate the wearing more as the warm weather will require on in the days to come.

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On Monday when we went to take the boys outside to play a package was on our doorstep. I immediately noticed it was not an ordinary box (in a good way). This box was covered in lots of fun stickers and things to make me even more excited about the contents from Kim & Jason of Lemonade Stand and Escape Adulthood. When I went inside I was blown away with how it was packaged. Here is a collage of the photos of the box and the goodies waiting for me inside.

BTW – in case you were wondering what it was that was inside the box it was the book Living Out Loud – Activities to fuel a creative life by Keri Smith. It really looks like a fun read – I can not wait to get a good look at it. Thanks again to Kim and Jason for all of the surprises inside and out of the box!

Categories:
family fun interesting jsl photos Web business

Turtles, Dinos & Bears. . . oh my!

Posted on April 25, 2008 10:23 am by TheAngelForever

A week ago now we were finishing up the final preparations for Passover. Is it over yet?!?! Sunday evening can not come quick enough. Ahhhhh, I feel much better. Thanks for letting me vent.

Anyway, back to Friday. JL stayed home to finish things here and I took the two boys to a birthday party. Laura’s son Isaac turned 4 and invited NHL to go to Build A Bear Workshop with them and then to lunch. Thanks to Laura for being flexible and moving it off of the little monkey’s real Birthday (Saturday) because of Passover.

Prior to this NHL and I had never really seen how the Build a Bear thing works. This is the view of the store when you walk in.

Thanks to the overwhelming amount of choices for two four year olds, Laura decided to give them three stuffed friends to select from. There was a bear, a dog and a dinosaur (triceratops to be exact). Care to guess what the two boys selected?

Both Isaac and NHL selected the dinosaur and were on their way to making their new friend. Here are some photos of the events. After Isaac stuffed his dino it was NHL’s turn. Here are some photos of the dino getting some fluff.

Once this was done NHL had to pick out a heart for his new buddy. Once he selected it he had to give it a kiss, make a wish and put it inside to be sewn into his dino pal.

Next it was time to clean off the dino. A dino must be clean before getting dressed and heading out into the world you know. The actual thing is a pedal that controls air to help get fuzzies off your stuffed friend.

When both dinos were clean we tried (note the tried) to get a photo of the two boys and their dinos together. Good luck with two overly excited four year olds!

It did not work at all. Thanks to this they continued to get a shirt for their friends. Naked dinos were not acceptable thanks to Isaac’s Nana (thanks Mrs. D!!!!). Both dinos were dressed stylishly in a dinosaur t-shirt and super cool dinosaur slippers (they even had shades on them).

Of course having a dino is really great, but he needed an official name. Next up we went to the computer to give them a name and register them. NHL immediately called his Trike . This was in honor of Trike from Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (great books and show). In addition to this the boys were allowed to get their big dinosaurs a little dino friend. NHL named that one Shane in honor of The Upside Down Show.

During this entire time JSL was being really good. He refused to nap, but watched carefully. There was so much going on he loved it!

Before heading to lunch we tried one last time to get a photo of the two boys. This is what happened.

From here we walked our dino friends to Pizza Uno for lunch.

As soon as we sat down JSL grabbed the menu and knew what he wanted to order!

Lunch was delicious and we had a great afternoon. Thanks again to Laura, Doug, Isaac and especially Mom D!

Categories:
birthday friends fun interesting jsl nhl photos

Seder part deux – 2008

Posted on April 22, 2008 10:39 am by TheAngelForever

Since we have two little boys JL is pretty flexible about start times for our seders. We definitely put that into play for the second night. We started the seder at about 4:30 so both of the boys could participate. In addition to this, we were very casual. Since it was so warm out the boys and I were wearing shorts.

The table looked a little different for the second night. Once again Mom helped it to look beautiful.

The only one not at the table for the seder was Whiskers, my parents cockatoo. She was included in food and items to keep her happy though.

Whiskers - not at the seder table

NHL had a lot of fun dipping his greens into salt water. After a while the salt water was just for NHL. Apparently he missed the memo that we do not double dip (or however many times he actually did it).

JSL had a lot of fun bonking heads and playing with papa. This game continued on for quite some time. They had a blast with this and then the "Uh, oh" game where JSL drops everything on the ground and says "Uh, oh" waiting for it to get picked back up.

Soon the little guy was very tired. He would not settle for me.

Luckily Nana’s rocking him did the trick. When we got to dinner I put the sleepy little guy onto a blanket and he missed the meal. When he woke up he had lots to catch up on.

Meanwhile NHL was busy eating a lemon . . . something he requested and actually enjoyed. I love the face he made in the middle photo.

A boy and his lemon

JL helped NHL to read the Four Questions. While doing this he also used the finger puppets. Remind me please. . . . who is the child?

Later on it was time to use the horseradish again. This is the evil stuff that brought tears to many eyes at our table. The stuff was strong and almost like homemade.

While some eyes were teary from the horseradish others did this . . .

With all of the excitement even NHL wanted to try it out. Against my advice JL made him a sandwich on matzoh with mainly charoset and a dot of horseradish. We all knew when he hit the dot. Poor kiddo!

Although it is hard to see this is Papa’s reaction along with Aunt T carefully putting a tiny amount onto her matzoh.

One part of the seder was done differently the second night. We down played the mystery of Elijah. Saturday night NHL woke up several times with nightmares from someone coming to get him and was quite hysterical. With much prodding he finally told us that it was Elijah and he was scared. We carefully explained that he only came to the seder and was nothing to be scared about. It must have worked since the nightmares did not happen after the second night.

Once again we had a wonderful seder. The best part we were packed up and heading home with more leftovers and the boys were in bed at a very reasonable hour. Thanks again to my parents, Aunt T and JL for making this Passover so special.