A Giveaway YOU MUST SEE!!!

One of my absolute FAV blogs is giving away not one, but TWO Kitchenid MIXERS!  If you know me, you know how much I need this.  Even my husband has decided that my poor little hand mixer isn't cutting it with all of the stuff I've been mixing lately.  Don't even get me started on how crappy it does with mixing cookie dough. 

If you'd like to help me win one AND WIN ONE FOR YOURSELF, head on over to She's Becoming Doughmesstic and leave a comment letting her know that I sent you to her site.  If you're chosen, BOTH OF US GET ONE!  How cool is that?  Plus, if I'm chosen, I get to pick someone to give the other one to, but I can only choose you if you've commented saying I sent you to her site.  So what are you waiting for?  GO THERE!  It's a win-win, you get a chance to win an awesome prize, AND you get to see one of my favorite blogs.  She's hilarious, you'll be hooked.  Promise.

Cake Baking & Rock Band

Cake baking and Rock Band have consumed our house.  Maddie and Doug LOVE Rock Band!  We didn't have anything planned this weekend (a rare occurrance in our household) and I think 50% of the time they were playing that game.  With arms full of groceries, I stood in front of our door knocking, and no one could hear me.  Why?  Because Doug was singing YMCA, while Maddie played the guitar.  It's not pretty, trust me.  He's certainly NO musician, and definitely not a singer. 

I made three cakes this weekend.  I have to master the art of making flowers!  Course 2 starts tomorrow night, and if I can't make a rose, how am I supposed to be able to make anything else?  After all, practice makes perfect, right?  Well I practiced...and practiced...and practiced.  The kids were thrilled, every time I messed up, they ate the mistake.  Haha!!!

I only took a picture of the first chocolate cake I made, the other one was similar, but without the dots on the sides of the cake.  After adding the dots, I decided I didn't like them.  LOL!  Both my dad and my father-in-law LOVE chocolate cake, so I made one for each of them. 

I also made a rainbow cake.  In my head, this was BRILLIANT.  The execution took a lot more than I thought it would though.  I pictured 6 layers, and figured I'd just cut them down to be the appropriate size.  The outside would have pretty flowers, and bright colors.  Well...I got the layers, but even after cutting them down, it was HUGE!  I had to make last minute adjustments to make it fit in my cake carrier.  Then, I didn't account for needing 4 batches of icing, so I had to make 3 batches work.  I now know what to do differently next time, but all in all, I'm still pretty happy with the results. 

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!!!