New Pops!!

Lately, I have had the idea that I should be trying to make all kinds of cake pops...only problem with that is then I have to find people to eat them. Which, seeing when I posted some ideas I had on facebook there were quite a few friends who were more than willing to step up to the plate!

One of the new ones I want to try in cheesecake. I LOVE cheesecake and really how can you go wrong putting it on a stick and adding chocolate???

So to get started I made a cheesecake...(I used a boxed one...maybe someday I'll try to make one from scratch!)

Once they were made I scooped them out using my Tbsp measuring cup. Once I had them sized up in the scoop I dipped them into some graham cracker crumbs. This will help to actually form the ball shape.

I them put them in the freezer. (I put mine in over night, since I had to run to the store to get it!) But 20-30 minutes should work out fine.

I pulled them out and then put in the stick, then dipped them into some dark melting chocolate and sprinkled with some graham cracker crumbs...too cute!!

Mmmmm!! They were yummy!! I will definitely be making these again!!

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day around our house means so many things....

Thanking our Veterens and those who are serving:

Time at Aunt Marcia's....duck races, mud, 4-wheelers, food, and fun:

Cousin's gone CRAZY at Aunt Gale's:

Anniversaries, the hubby and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary...where does the time go??

All in all good times had by all!!

Just One of the Boys

Jake is a MAJOR sports fan! He lives for anything sporty, and is especially fond of baseball and basketball...but he'd watch hockey and LOVES to play soccer. (I have a feeling we are going to only get busier with this kid...he wants to play EVERYTHING too!!)

Tob plays on a competitive softball team that plays in weekend touraments as well as in a weekly rec league. Jake LOVES those guys and last year they adopted him as their mascot. Well when this season started the guy in charge of the team decided that Jake need to have his own uniform too!! Although he was planning to get him a shirt, they went with an expensive style, he decided he should have his own hat!

Tob gave it to him and his smile says it all....

Like father like son...

Getting the hats ready...if you would have asked me 15 years ago what this was about I would have been clueless, now I know it's to curve the bill. Who knew?!

Race Time

It all started with a promise...I told Emmah if she did Girls on the Run, I too would do a 5k, since that is their culmanating event.
Well when she started I wasn't sure how excited she would be about it or how much she would like it. Well she liked it and really enjoyed it...the problem for me?? It meant I had to run a 5k!
I am NOT a runner nor have I ever enjoyed running. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I made a promise, so I set a goal for myself and decided that I would run in the River Bank Run (It is one of the largest foot races in the US and held in Grand Rapids) Go BIG or go home right???
I began training with a reall good friend. We started running, but not really following a plan. It wasn't bad, we'd go during soccer practice and did pretty good most times. We also decided to run for a charity. A friend of ours recently started a Youth ministry program and we would run for pledges for their program. Helps to run for a good cause too!

Race day was fastly approaching and I was feeling SUPER nervous. It was great that we rode with the group to the race, it really built the excitement!

After waiting for just about 45mins...we were ready to go!

During the race the course was pretty basic with just a couple of hills/inclines. We walked a little more then I wish we would have, but overall it went ok. The worst part for me was Mile 2...I think it was there that I actually realized that I was meeting my goal, actually running a 5k, it was Mother's Day weekend, it just all came to me. My friend looked over and I was crying...it was just so emotional knowing we had 2 HUGE cheerleaders cheering us on from up above.

I actually set a goal and met that goal...the relief I felt when crossing the finshline was just AMAZING! Our time wasn't steller, but we FINISHED! I will definitely be back next year....and I am more focused then ever!

I am still overwhelmed with the accomplishment of this goal...it truly shows me, and my kids that if you put your mind to something you can succeed. And for me...that means the world!

Photo Booth Fun

I am always looking for fun and new ideas to incorporate into my kids parties. Well with Emmah getting older, it is becoming  A LOT more fun because she can do so much and has that wacky personality to pull it off too!

With photo booths being all the rage right now I decided it would be super fun to create our own photo booth!

First this was first, I had to have a fun background...after some thought and research I decided to use a bed sheet. Easy to find, reasonably priced, and come in fun prints too!! After finding the perfect one, which worked out well because Emmah needs new sheets anyway, I had the hubby hang it up for me. He just nailed it to a small wood part we have unfinished by the ceiling. But just as easy would be to use the 3M removable hooks.

Next, was the props. Now I've seen them on etsy with so many options, but to be more cost concious I decided to make my own. I used http://lisawelge.com/projects/Lisa-Welge-mustachio-template.pdf and cut them out of cardstock, but felt would work too.

I also wanted some glasses. I found some at the $ store with fun shapes and glitter and then these http://www.leehansen.com/printables/masks/eyeglasses-frames.pdf that I printed out on cardstock as well. I also added a chef's hat and a feather boa. The possibilites are endless, depending on the age and what you have around. You could add fun hats, lips, and so much more!!

Here is how I had the items set up:

When we finished a couple of games I had the kids all chose a prop and then pose for a group picture. I plan to use this as a "thank you" and that way the kids can have a take home memory as well. Here is some of our photo fun...I hope you try this at your next party!

Energy Blast

Birthday treats are usually a time to go all out and be sweet right?? Well YES!! But with Emmah being on a med that can easily make her eat too much, and her participating in GOTR (Girls on the Run) and soccer I thought maybe a healthy, but fun treat might be necessary.

Of course where did I turn?? Oh come on you should know this by now...PINTEREST!!!! I found these delicious no bake energy bites and thought they would be PERFECT!

No-Bake Energy Bites  (from www.smashedpeasandcarrots.com)

(makes 18-20 bites)

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Variations:
Now you can gladly double up on any of the ingredients or substitute something you like better. I added extra oatmeal instead of coconut, and also used crushed almonds for the flaxseed. You can also use wheat germ as well. Have some fun and be creative...be sure to share too!!