Mmmmm.... Cake Balls!

Previously on this blog, I mentioned visiting the Cake Ball Company for a delectable Father's Day gift. I failed to mention that before this outing, I also tasted some terrific cake balls that my friend Ashley made at a church baby shower. However I assumed they were something I would not want to attempt; I definitely have insecurities when it comes to anything with the word "cake" in the title. (Cake decorating class is on my bucket list, but not too high on the priority list at this time in my life!)

After prompting by Gene, further discussion with Ashley, and a visit to the glorious website "Bakerella", I decided it was worth a shot. I made a homemade lemon pound cake and mixed with homemade lemon cream cheese frosting. I used white and milk chocolate bark for the outer coating.

So what are the verdicts?

• Cake ball creation is very time consuming and downright exhausting by the end of the process. (Next time I am going to make them in two stages so I can enjoy the decorating more. I apparently don't have the patience that the Bakerella lady does.)
  
• They don't come out as perfect as the Cake Ball Company or Bakerella.
  
• BUT they are still pretty, and I have ideas for future improvements.


• They taste incredible! Just as incredible as $1.85 each at the Cake Ball Company.

Both times I have doubled my cake recipe, which has yielded over 75 cake balls - that would be $138.75 plus tax at the Cake Ball Company! So they are definitely worth the effort.

I think I'll go have a cake ball now...

One of Those Mommy Moments

I have been working a couple days a week for many months now. During the “school year” Katelynn goes to pre-school on those days. This summer, she has spent those days with her Nanna and PopPop, which includes one night at their house.

Today is her second day there this week, and she hasn’t been there in a couple of weeks due to their vacation plans last week. Apparently she wanted to call me so Nanna obliged.

When I got on the phone with her, she said “Mommy, I want to see you” and started to cry. Her tone was so tender - so I started to cry a little too. My mom had no idea that was going to happen or she would not have put this mommy through that, of course! Later in the day my mom sent me the following email, which also made my heart well:

“I wouldn't have let KK call if I thought she was going to cry. She got so melancholy on the phone, and tears welled up in her eyes. It was very different than when she gets mad and squirts tears out intentionally. She had been talking about you all morning. She told me how you are the best mommy in the world. She said to me, "I'll bet you wish you had my mommy!" I told her I did wish that. She said you take good care of her and she loves you and misses you.

Hope it didn't upset your day having her cry on the phone. She recovered in the car wash. She had to help Rocky [the dog] feel better because it was upsetting him.”

Ahhhh, these mommy moments can be tough! I know it is good for her to spend a little time with others besides her mommy, but I also know I will one day wish that she did want to spend every minute with me as she does now...

Hello, World of Digital Scrapbooking

Recently I have been contemplating the move from traditional scrapbooking to its digital cousin. I have only scrapped through Katelynn's tenth month of life, and she is quickly closing in on three years old! It is so difficult to get everything out and free time is so limited these days.

After much research I realized it was actually perfect for me. I can still have beautiful pages printed out at high quality labs should I want a paper copy of my creations. I can work for an hour or two at a time with only an electronic mess left behind. And, it definitely appeals to my perfectionism. Much easier to use the "undo" command than to remove glue from the backs of pictures.

It has been a steep learning curve, and I still have tons of learning to go. However I decided to dive in and at least make a shot at my first lay out. It took forever but I am pleased with the result.

Drum roll, please......

Fun Book for Toddler Activities

I just picked up the Toddler's Busy Play Book (by Robin McClure) from the library. It advertises "over 500 creative games, activities, crafts and recipes for your very busy toddler." Katelynn definitely classifies as a very busy toddler. I have checked out some of the ideas and I am very pleased so far. They are easy to do and mostly use supplies I already have around. Hopefully this will keep her from begging for TV as much when we are around the house.

When she wakes up from her nap we are going to make "colorful coffee filter snowflakes" - who cares if it is 100 degrees outside? I know she won't!

Happy Friday!

I received a link to this picture from a friend today and couldn't resist posting it here on the blog. I hope it makes you smile too.

Random Development Observations

HOW in the world do kids learn to have fear of the drain at the pool? I distinctly remember it making me shudder when I was little. I have done absolutely nothing to pass this fear along to Katelynn, but somehow she has discovered it all on her own. (I guess I did pass genes along though....) She won't go anywhere near even the most minor discoloration on the bottom of the pool. So bizarre!

Pretend play continues to exponentially increase. KK is obsessed with mermaids, being a mermaid, wearing her mermaid princess crown, etcetera. Also, today she also got into my drawer that is full of random small baking tools and measuring cups. She had them all spread out on the kitchen floor in a very orderly manner, and was intently "measuring" various invisible ingredients. Maybe it's time to get that play kitchen...

On the very up side, she has learned that spontaneously telling mommy "I love you" many times each day is a good thing and gets lots of positive attention. She also likes to try to "trap" me in her bed at night with bear hugs; we giggle and hug, then repeat several times. I definitely can't get enough of that... I know the day will come when the hugs and i-love-yous don't come as readily.

Katelynn and Izzy-Belle

A couple of weeks ago, we went to hang out with my brother and sister-in-law and, of course, baby Isabelle. This was the first time that Katelynn would see her without any tubes or machines attached. I explained to KK that she might get to hold Izzy-Belle (as KK calls her) while we were there. Katelynn said "No mommy, she has stuff on her face. I can't." I explained that Izzy no longer has "stuff" on her face. From this moment on, KK talked non-stop about holding her cousin.

When we arrived, Katelynn immediately asked Griff and Jen "Do I get to hold Izzy-Belle now? She doesn't have stuff on her face!" As you can see from the pictures, she took this task very seriously. We could not get her to smile for the camera for one nano-second! I don't think I have ever seen the child be so still. In particular, she was very concerned with the pacifier and the fact that it was in Izzy's mouth (go figure). Izzy, on the other hand, was a bit squirmy and not too sure what to think about her toddler cousin!

Izzy is a daily reminder of how much we have to be thankful for. I am so grateful that we were able to capture such a precious family moment on film.

Moment of Terror

Today I took Katelynn to McDonalds. As usual, I was having a difficult time getting her to stay in my immediate vicinity while ordering the food. However, I had her in my peripheral vision. Five seconds later, I did not. I began the panicked "parent scan" around the restaurant and did not see her anywhere, all while trying to finish up my order and pay. I then ran to the play area... still no Katelynn. I ran back into the restaurant and could tell that the other patrons saw the look of terror on my face. I passed a table of gentlemen and asked if they had seen a little girl. "A little girl just went into the restroom."

I ran into the ladies restroom and there she was, walking out of the stall with her panties and shorts down around her legs, saying "Mommy, I had to go to the potty!" While trying to catch my breath, I explained to her that she was not to leave without mommy ever again. I told her over and over "You scared mommy!" She kept saying "But mommy, I had to use the potty!" How does one explain these things to a 2 and 1/2 year old? Any suggestions that have worked are appreciated!

All in all it was a two minute incident, and one that I know all parents experience at some point. No matter how many of these stories you have read or heard, nothing can prepare you for the scariness of that moment.

Sweet KK naps safely upstairs now... all is well... until another terrifying parental milestone rears its ugly head!