Martha's Cupcakes

Much to the chagrin of our family blood sugar level, I have been cooking my way through Martha Stewart's Cupcake book. Yum! I got it to make Ladybug cupcakes for Grace's birthday and have already made several. I got the book from the local library, but then Grandma Margie bought me my very own copy! Really, this is the best cupcake book I have evern run across.

Although these are not the best pictures....they were yummy cupcakes!

Lady Bug Cupcakes


Chocolate Salted Carmel Cupcakes. I LOVE the combination of Salt and Carmel. If you do too, you have to try this one. Here is a picture of the cupcakes..minus the frosting. They were delish!


Another favorite in our house was the Oreo Cheesecake cupcakes...yummy and easy! What a great idea to put an oreo in the bottom!?

And last but not least, for all of you peanut butter and jelly lovers out there, there is the PBJ Cupcake. This one is not for the faint of heart..if you love you some peanut butter, make them...if not...stay far far away. I topped mine with homeade blackberry jelly...and promptly sent them to the babysitter for the kids to eat!

Daylight Savings Time

It hit Grace hard this year....

Cry Baby

And it starts. But so early?? I was thinking this kind of thing started about six year's old??

Boo!

This Halloween was so much fun! Isabelle really got it this year and we made the rounds in the neighborhood. That was fun...on a high note. On a low note, we didn't make it home in time to pass our OUR candy. So instead of having TONS from Trick or Treating, we also have tons of our own left over. Good times. Anybody have any idea for recipes using Halloween candy?

Before we went out, I asked Isabelle, "Now what do you say to people when you go up to them?" She answered, "Trick or Treating." "Right, but it's Trick or Treat." She replied, "That's what I said, "Trick or Treating." Oh well. It's close. Grace rode happily along in the stroller occasionally collecting candy and enjoying the spectical. The weather was beautiful and classic mid-western fall! Even Conrad couldn't resist and went with us

Chicken What?

The week before last was our first offical field trip..ever...in the Michael Family. Isabelle's preschool class went to the Pumpkin Patch in town. It was frigid, but Grandma Margie and Grace went with us and everybody was a trooper and simply happy that it wasn't raining!

We had fun with her little class, riding the slide in the hay barn, picking out pumpkings, going on a hay ride, and eating fresh donuts and cider, and seeing the animals. Consequently, an interesting conversation followed the chicken sighting.

Mommy: Isabelle see those chicken's there?
Isabelle: (Standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CHICKENS...REALLY...16 INCHES FROM HER FACE) What? What chickens?
M: Right there.
I: Blank stare
M: Right there, baby. Those birds. Those are chickens.
I: Blank stare
M: You know how much you love chicken nuggets? Those are chicken nuggets!
I: Blank stare
M: Chicken, Isabelle! Chickens..do you see them?
I: Where?

We just weren't making a connection. I started worrying about her eyes then. But, I thought I'd better take it down a notch before I started traumatizing some poor three year old and their beloved Happy Meal.

Our Magic Pumpkin

Recently I read a really cool Autumn Idea that I thought we'd do with the kids. I went to the store and bought a pumpkin a few days ago. I hid it and brought out a little seed (actually a cardomen seed!). I told Isabelle it was a magic pumpkin seed and will grow a big pumpkin in a little time. So we went outside, planted our seed and she went down for a nap. While she was asleep I put the pumpkin out where the seed was buried. Seeing as she is three, I didn't have to worry about the obvious flaws with the deceit. Like...why is the stem cut, why is the seed still buried...etc. etc.

When she got up from her nap and went out to look it was pure magic on her face when she saw her pumpkin. She was sooo excited! Luckily, she didn't ask to plant another one, since I had only bought one pumpkin!!

Can you Tell?

One is Grace @ 12 months and one is Isabelle @ 12 months.

The Upside to H1N1

As I mentioned in a previous post, my kids went to thier Oma and Opa's house for a?!
few days since my sitter came down with H1N1. After she got it last week, about three kids have followed suit..so we just thought, why risk it when the Grandparents are always happy to have them?

So my Dad came down and got them and left Monday late afternoon. They left and I was home...alone. With no kids..no work. Nothing. I took a leisurly shower..I even shaved my legs. Pure luxury. Then I laid down and read a book. Wow. Soon Cornad came home early because of a dentist appointment. He had several shots of novicane that hadn't worn off. Not wanting to go back to the office drooling, he just decided to take the afternoon off. He napped too.

After a couple blissful hours of deep sleep, we got up and cleaned the house for a showing we had that evening. Then we went off to a mantinee movie and dinner at the Olive Garden. I LOVE my kids and we talked about them non stop the whole night. But Man, it was a REAL vacation day and soooo restful. Thank you Oma and Opa...and H1N1!

Ridin' Train

I love Fall and have been wanting to make sure that we take advantage of of season with the kids. So....last weekend we decided to take the Hocking Valley Scenic Train. It was so nice to spend the day with my parents and Grandma and the kids. And it was...well...I guess it was fun. I think the kids were a bit too young and most of the time we spent trying to reign them in. On the other hand, I thought "scenic" was a strong word. It was "scenic" in an Appalachain poverty kind of way. I also heard that they have a Polar Express train around Christmas where kids come in thier PJ's and even the hobo comes around and makes an appearance. Maybe when the kids are a bit older??

Quilting

I have been really really wanting to learn how to quilt for a long time. I could take a class at Jo-Ann's but I really wanted to learn from Grandma Margie! Unfortunelty, her schedule is always so packed we have put it off for years! But good news is that she came to our house last week to spend a few days (just in time, as our babysitter came down with H1N1!) and I coerced her into teaching me to quilt. Here is a picture of our purely hand-made baby quilt. It's just pieced together here, but I almost have the front fully sewed together!


Of course, Conrad quickly got on line to see the "going price" for such a work of art. He was happy to announce that Grandma and I could get about $150 for our labor of love. Whaaa? All of those hours for $150 bucks?? I don't think so. He also asked me if he thought we could get a little sweat shop of children in India together to create quilts. We could advertise, "Lovingly handmade by children." Hmmmm...I'm thinking no.

Happy Birthday Grace

October 7, 2008 Grace entered the world at 3:05 p.m weighing 7.7 pounds and 21 inches long. Since that day she has been the light of our lives! We couldn't ask for a more pleasant or happy baby. She has been walking since 10 1/2 months and she says "Bye Bye" and "Hi!" (whenever she says "hi" she holds her elbow to her ear and her hand behind her like she's holding a phone) She sleeps beautifully and makes lots of bubbly baby talking noises. Just thinking about her makes me smile. We love you Grace Christine...more than words can express!


Grace 10/7/08


Grace 10/7/09

Grace's Birthday Party

Wow! We had such a great time at Grace's 1st Birthday party. In true Indian fashion we had a big party and got to celebrate with tons of friends and family! We have, in the past, had birthday parties at my parents house since it's usually family up north who join us and it's so much more convienient for them. But it's also a lot of work for my mom (who SAYS she loves it..but still!)


We had Indian food and Pizza (for the less adventuruous eaters and kids). I also Martha Stewart-ed it up with Lady Bug cupcakes and Dark chocolate Cupcakes...yum! I have to say that I was pretty proud of these cupcakes and the hours of rolling little fondant balls to make bugs paid off!

For the kids we decorated our own sippy cups, had tatoos and a few other crafts, as well as a game and a bouncy to play in. I had made little favor bags of toys and the highlight (ah-em) was the little birdie whistle each child got. I need to say to all of the parents of guest(again) thanks for coming and I'm sorry about the whistle!


Grace ran around and chased the kids the best she could! She had a blast and didn't really know what to think about all of the presents. Honestly, I'm not sure who's playing with them more..Isabelle or Grace. Grace patiently waits her turn as Isabelle comendeers her toy box. I'm sure Isabelle thinks they are her's...and Grace thinks they are Isabelle's too!

(p.s I don't have that many great pictures. I only took a few before the party started..but then was too busy. Someone else (who shall remain nameless: Honey. Took pictures but forgot to OPEN THE FLASH so everything is blurry. p.p.s SEND PICS TO ME IF YOU HAVE THEM!)