Cake Decorating

I LOVE cake decorating class!  Even though, I'm not the best I still love going to it.  I feel like the stuff I'm doing now is so much cooler than anything I could have done a month ago.  I can't wait to go thru the next 12 weeks and learn even more!  I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!!!

Behold, my latest cake:

Like I said, it's still a work in progress but I'm LOVING the learning process!!!  Next Tuesday is the first class in Course 2!  I can't wait!!!

Day 2 of the Challenge

Day 2:

Let today be a day that you are focused on going out of your way to show love and kindness to the people around you.  Whether that means sending a card, writing a thoughtful email or note, doing a chore for someone, or spending extra intentional time with a friend, child or family member....Whatever it may be, just find as many ways as you can throughout the day and do them.  And do them with a heart full of love.

Day one went well!  I only slipped a few times, and quickly corrected myself.  I definitely needed to reel in my usage of curse words, and I'm SO glad I have.  Let's hope today goes as well as yesterday.  I don't think the actual challenge for day two will be difficult.  I find myself always trying to be extra kind to people, because it's just the right thing to do.  I think my additional take on this one though, will be to try to be more kind to people that I normally avoid because they drive me CRAZY!  I don't know how well I'll do at that one. 

On a side note:

Last night was the final night of my Wilton Course One class!  I'll have pictures to post tomorrow of my final cake, and all in all, I'm pleased with my work.  As always, I know there are things that I would do differently next time, but I'm still happy with the results.  Stay tuned...you never know, I may be the next Martha Stewart Ace of Cakes!

21 Days to a Better You

After reading Summer's blog and her quest to find a "better self" in 21 days, I've decided to take the challenge.  I have changes to make, and I'm excited to make them! 

Here's today's challenge:

Day 1:

Think of something you are willing to give up for 21 days, and commit to it once and for all. 

Write it down.  Tell someone so they can help to hold you accountable.  And remember, it's just for 21 days, you can do anything for 21 days.

What am I giving up?  Cussing!  I, like Julie over at Brown Eyed Belle, have chosen to give up cussing.  I curse more than I care to admit, and the sad part it, I have two children at home who should not EVER have to hear those words come out of my mouth.  So today is a new day, for the next 21 days, I won't be saying anything that I wouldn't want my grandma to hear. 

Wish me luck!!!

American Girl Store & Super Nationals

I've been on a mini-blog-hiatus due to craziness in my household.  We had a cheer competition in Chicago last weekend and ever since have had a cold/flu virus floating around in our house. 

Thank goodness it's over!

Waiting for the bus to pick us up at the hotel. 

Chicago was fun though!  We got to visit the American Girl store for the first time, and if you haven't been, it's a MUST see for any little girl.  My girls were in love, it took everything we had to pull them out of there. 

Don't ask me why Maddie has that disgusted look on her face.  I think she was just sick of pictures at that point.  The extra little girl is my friend's daughter who went with us for the weekend.

As soon as I realized we'd have time to visit the AG store, I planned a lunch at the AG Cafe.  The website looked adorable and I couldn't imagine anything cuter than having a lunch with the dolls and kids, and after going, there isn't anything cuter. 

The competition at Super Nationals was fierce!  The kids did great though, and it definitely helped motivate them to try harder and learn more stunts.  They got 3rd place, and although they are used to getting 1st, I don't think it discouraged them.  I think it may have been exactly what they needed to help push them to stay focused and try harder.  Or at least, that's what Mackenzie told me. 

Less than 2 weeks until the next competition, this time in Kansas City.  Then, right after Easter, we're heading to Destin, FL!  Should be fun!!!  It's the kids' first time to the beach!  Unless you count the mini-beach at Caribbean Beach resort in Disney World (which I don't).  They did look super cute though...

I Won!!!

Let me tell you just how excited I am to have won an amazing giveaway on sHp's blog Our Three-Ring Circus.  It's so awesome!  I can't wait to get all of the super amazing goodies!!!

Thanks again sHp!  If you haven't had a chance to check out her blog, it's a MUST-see!!!

Oh Cricut, how I love thee!!!

Say hello to my future favorite gadget!  I already have a Cricut for scrapbooking.  I love it.  I don't use it as often as I should, but when I do, it's a lifesaver.  I've used it for class projects, posters for cheerleading, and of course, the reason I bought it, scrapbooking. 

Now, I have started learning how to decorate cakes and they invent this!  Just let me know where the waiting list is, because I want my name on it!!!  I can't wait!!!!

A Work In Progress...

I'm no Martha, but I'm putting forth my best effort!  I feel like I have a pretty good handle on cupcakes.  They're easy!  You can pick them up, turn them around, anything you need to get exactly the look you're going for.  Heck, if you mess up you can even cover them with sprinkles (see the picture...I'm sure you can tell which ones were the throw-backs).  What's not to love? 

They weren't perfect, but I wasn't feeling the best, and was in a hurry.  They were a THANK YOU to my favorite Father-in-law for fixing my car last week.  He was happy, and I'm certain ate at least one of them over the weekend.

Being that I'm confident in my cupcake skills, I decided to try my hand at cake making.  It doesn't help that Michael's is practically begging you to take the class, by offering them at 50% off.  Who could resist?  Not me!  So I signed up.  Last week was the first week.  It was lots of "practice makes perfect" and "don't give up."  I was sitting there, confidently thinking "I've SO got this."  Sunday, I baked my cake.  I knew I'd be busy Monday night because of cheer practice and Tuesday night was the class and I didn't want to take any chances.  I've never baked a cake before, for all I knew, it wasn't going to rise, or would overrise and turn out terribly.  I followed the instructors directions word for word and when I pulled the cake out of the oven, the center was sunken in.  I wasn't happy, but I figured, I'll flip it over to ice anyway, so no big deal.  No one will ever know.  I flipped it and voila, you couldn't even tell!

Monday night, I iced my cake.  Who knew that would be so hard?  The instructor made it seem like a piece of cake (pun intended LOL)!  I had my little turn table, I had my icing at the PERFECT consistency, what was the freaking deal?  It didn't want to cooperate, but in the end, I got it to look as good as I thought I could do, and called it a night. 

Last night I pulled it out and confidently took it to class with every intention of asking for assistance and advice on how to get it to not only stop sinking in the middle, but also HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET YOUR ICING TO LOOK SO SMOOTH?  When I walked in, class had already started!  I was EARLY!  Apparently most of the class had gotten there 20 minutes early (suck ups) and when I walked in 10 minutes early, you would have thought I was late!  What the heck!?!?!?!  Regardless, we proceeded thru the lesson, learned how to use our star tips, and write words and then got to decorate our cake.  For the last, measly 10 minutes of class.  NOT GOOD.  I had all of these wonderful ideas in my head, and it definitely didn't end up looking like I wanted. 

Behold...the finished product:

It's not the best, but like I said...I'm a work in progress.  Stay tuned, I'm hoping to see improvement in a few weeks!  Haha!!!

Let It Snow!!!

It's snowing in southern Illinois, and I'm loving it!  It's so beautiful out (no, the picture is not accurate, just something I found online) and I'm hoping we get a few inches.  What I could do without, is the ice that is coming along with the snow.  It's like a giant slip and slide outside!!! 

Let's also add to the fun the fact that earlier this week Maddie had the flu, and now Doug has it!  For those who haven't had the luxury of being around my husband when he's sick, let me fill you in.  He's a BIG BABY!  He called me today to let me know he was sick and wanted to see if I'd come home to take care of him.  What are you, 5?  It's not like I'm going to hold your hand while your head is hovering over the toilet.  Why on earth would I want to be around you?  I know it sounds like I'm being insensitive, and that's because I am.  When I'm sick, he's not sympathetic...and therefore, he doesn't get sympathy from me.  Is that wrong?  I'll be making him soup, just like always, and I'll keep the kids away so he can recoup in peace and quiet, but otherwise...what else am I supposed to do?  He wanted a hug!  He wanted me to tuck him in bed!  Good grief!!!

I suppose I should discuss a brighter subject, since I don't want to end my week of blogging on a negative note. 

Plans for the weekend!  That's a good topic!  Tonight is going to be fun, it's just me and Maddie...my little mini-chef.  Since my father-in-law worked on my car earlier this week (I needed a new thermostat, or something like that) we're going to make him chocolate cupcakes.  He's a lover of all things chocolate, so this will be a perfect THANK YOU for him.  Tomorrow is the elementry school's trivia night.  I'll be volunteering all night in an effort to raise money for this year's field day (which I'm planning, wish me luck).  We need it too!  I've got lots of ideas, and they're all expensive!  Who knew inflatibles were so expensive?  Sunday is SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!  I'll be baking up a storm and hopefully watching the Saints win!!!

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!

So Thankful it's THURSDAY!

Have I mentioned how happy I am to have the luxury of working 4 days a week?  Thursdays are so wonderful.  I don't even dread coming in because I know at the end of the day I get to look forward to a 3 day weekend!  It's so nice!  For those of you that don't have the luxury of working 4, 10 hour days, I'm sorry...

With that being said, I've found a pretty cool blog that I'd like to share!  It's called A Reason or A Season.  If you haven't already checked it out, make sure you do.  The post for today was titled Thankful Thursday, and I thought I'd give my reasons for being thankful (even though I've already mentioned one). 

1.  Although I've already mentioned it above, I'm thankful for my 10 hour days resulting in a 3 day weekend, every weekend!  LOVE THEM!

2.  Healthy children.  I love them so much, and after reading/hearing stories about sick kids, I am SO thankful that I have two incredibly healthy children. 

3.  I'm stealing this one from the blog I mentioned, but I'm SO thankful for my DVR.  I don't have enough time to watch tv during the week (normally) and my DVR allows me to catch shows that I normally would have to miss. 

4.  Blogging - I love it!  Thanks to Chelle for opening my eyes to the world of blogging. 

5.  Super awesome blog giveaways!  Here are a few, just in case you've missed them. 

Half Baked - Flirty Apron Giveaway 

Lovey Dovey Giveaway 

And last but not least...Another super cool giveaway 

Enjoy, and GOOD LUCK!!!  I'm really hoping I win one of these!!!

Super Awesome Giveaway!!!

While reading a super awesome blog I was able to find another super awesome blog!  Win-win, if you ask me!  Mrs. MFC is giving away some very cute Valentine stuff, so make sure you go check her out!

Thanks Mrs. MFC!!!