Hot Dogs and Laundry..

I know your wondering how those two go together?? They don't.....this is just a random post of this and that. The days are running out to get ready for our trip. We leave Saturday...you can only imagine the excitement level here!!:) I am baking, doing last minute laundry, running a few errands, making trip after trip to the 5th wheel, and refereeing two boys!! A little crazy might I say, but our time in Florida is going to be so wonderful.

A "nifty" way of serving a hot dog!! Saw this on a food blog and the boys loved having them for a snack last night!! Stacy...I thought of you...maybe your kids would enjoy these for lunch someday...maybe you don't serve hot dogs??
Lane has really taken an interest in helping to fold the laundry. I am so thrilled!!!;) While I was cooking this afternoon I brought in a load for him to fold. These are the cloth he folded all by Himself. I am so IMPRESSED, aren't you?!!! He is just working on the smaller things...his arms aren't quite long enough for Jay and I's clothes. He is such a perfectionist...this will be both good and bad as he gets older! He is feeling so confident and proud of his acomplishment!! I love my two helpers!!

Boat Parade at the lake

On Saturday we enjoyed the annual boat parade at a local lake with Jay's family!! It was incredibly HOT, as you can tell looking through the slide show...the boys finally took off their shirts!!:) Next year I think we will bob in the water and catch the beads and things!! At least we will be a little cooler!! I love some if the shots I got of the kids!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Amybee bag

I just got my very first Amybee bag this morning!! It is made from oilcloth, so it repels water. SOOO great for the pool and the beach!! Check out Amy's site on my sidebar...Amybee bags. They would make a great gift for someone or just a splurge for yourself!! Thanks Amy!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

Hoping you have a Safe and Wonderful July 4th weekend!!!

Sprite Cake.....from Bakerella

My favorite new site for cooking is Bakerella!! I just found it last night as I was blog-hopping(you will find the link on the side bar). This lady is truly talented and artistic!! I would love to be able to stay home and do what she does everyday!!:)

Tonight the boys and I made our first recipe from her site....Sprite Cake. You can see the boys loved licking the beater.....I didn't let them have much since it has quite a few eggs. :( We don't want sick tummies. AHHH! I also made the buttercream frosting to top it with. I can hardly wait to try some. :) More recipes to come as I bake more from her site! I would really like to tackle her cupcake pops..check them out on her site.

Yummy, Yummy!!

Simple Sprite Cake

1 white cake mix

4 eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 box instant vanilla pudding (3 oz. size)

8 oz. can of Sprite (the mini one)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
Mix ingredients on low until combined and then increase speed to medium and mix for about 2 minutes.
Pour batter into pans and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1b. 10X powdered sugar

1-3 teaspoons milk, half and half or cream
Using a mixer, cream softened butter and vanilla with until smooth.
Add sugar gradually, allowing butter and sugar to cream together before adding more.
If you want it a little creamier, add a teaspoon of milk at a time and beat on high until you get the right texture.

Awesome Products!!

I love shopping from the Leaps and Bounds catalog!! They have such innovative products, that make life easier with little kids. I just purchased these trays for the boys to use on our long road trip next week. I read the reviews and most said they were wonderful!! Hope they are and will make coloring and eating easier. The dripsticks have to be the best invention so that you don't have to mop the kitchen or spot clean your carpet after their through eating!! Plus, they have two different ends: one for popsicles and one for cones. :) Someone was so smart and ingenius!!!:) Wish I had some of these ideas! The boys have been wanting to eat ice cream in a cone, but I can't bear to think of the mess....now we can!!:) Last but not least, the chalkboard placemats protect the table and entertain!!!

If you flip the dripstick over the other side is for a ice cream cone.
The boys enjoying their placemats this morning as I fixed breakfast. One of the reviews suggested rolling them up and taking them to a restaurant when you go out to eat!! Great Idea for little ones to keep them entertained.