We had a ball and made a splash!

Well, we ended our summer vacation with a splash and had a ball at cousin's birthday party. The beach ball sugar cookies were a hit at the party and while they were not the best I got back on the decorating train and love it.  I was even able to attempt to document the cookie making process with the extra sets of hand helping with the kids. 

Roll Out Sugar Cookies

With an electric mixer, cream butter (room temp) and sugar for about 5 minutes on medium speed with the paddle attachment. Beat in eggs just until combined. I usually do not have the time to wait for room temp. unless I am planning ahead and let's be honest with two kids running around I have to use nap time wisely. So my handy dandy hand grater is the perfect weapon for getting the butter ready to mix. 

Add salt, vanilla and almond extract mixing for about 10 seconds on low.

Add in flour and mix until dough is pulling away  from the sides of the bowl. In humid weather add up to 1/4 cup more flour if needed.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. 

Remove dough from the fridge and preheat oven to 325 degrees.

To roll out, put the dough on top of parchment paper in between two 1/4" wooden dowels. Then roll out with a roller and cut desired shapes.

Put shapes onto a greased cookie sheet and put in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.

Decorate with royal icing!

Roll Out Sugar Cookies

Yield approximately 20-25 medium sized cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 c. butter (at room temp)
• 2 c. sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 5 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Instructions:

1. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar for about 5 minutes on medium speed with the paddle attachment. Beat in eggs just until combined.
2. Add salt, vanilla and almond extract mixing for about 10 seconds on low.
3. Add in flour and mix until dough is pulling away from the sides of the bowl. In humid weather add up to 1/4 cup more flour if needed.
4. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. 
5. Remove dough from the fridge and preheat oven to 325 degrees.
6. To roll out, put the dough on top of parchment paper in between two 1/4" wooden dowels. Then roll out with a roller and cut desired shapes.
7. Put shapes onto a greased cookie sheet and put in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.
9. Decorate!

Mayhem + Momcation booked!

When does mommy get to eat? Can mommy get quiet time? Please give me 5 minutes with no crying!

Tonight was a circus act trying to get the kids fed and clean while fans are being installed at the cousin’s house. Yes, we are still on vacation - day 9 to be exact - and there is still chaos everywhere we go. Between the crying and screaming, I can’t even get through the baby proofing and into the pantry for a chocolate fix to heal my pounding head. Help me now!! 

Now, I love getting the kids together. Especially since all of our family is out of state. We take every chance we can to get the cousins together.  Nevertheless, I feel like I am being filmed for the "Bad Moms" movie and I am waiting or the cameras to appear. I have to say I cannot wait for the movie to come out, to get some sense that the commotion surrounding me is normal for a mom.

On another note, we did book our trip to Punta Cana in 2017. The count down is on, 11 months 'til paradise! Momcation was booked faster than it takes to change a dirty diaper. No kids, no crying, and no schedules. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mom and I love my kids but sometimes a momcation is necessary and there is no guilt here.  I can't wait to actually have time to get ready and enjoy dinner without a child needing me the minute I try to put food in my mouth... now that is the dream. So, as I wrap up this last week of summer and last week of vacation, I relish these crazy moments and remember that even in the midst of my momcation bliss I will miss the moments of mayhem that are my kids (but only for a moment).

PreK/Kindergarten Flip Cards

PDF Flip Cards

Follow the link for your free flip cards. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

Are we there yet? (Traveling with kids)

Are we there yet? (Traveling with kids)

This has been a very eventful summer which means lots of traveling. Today just topped it off with the "Are we there yet?" 20 minutes into our 5+ hour drive. After the explanation, I then heard "I need to use the potty." Of course, it is in a stretch of nowhere where there are no options for stopping. We finally resolved the bathroom issue and then continued on our way and my must have traveling tips saved the day. These 3 items are a must for traveling with kids and making my trip without the husband possible. We have tried a number of different entertainment options and things to make traveling with kids a breeze and these are my absolute must haves.

1. Magformers

These magnets with a dollar store cake pan are the best interactive backseat toy for my preschooler. Just flip and build. All of the pieces stay in the pan while she builds and she just reaches below to grab more. The best part is the easy clean up and storage. She can build and entertain herself for longer than the many other options I have tried.

2. Look and Find Books (our favorite is Frozen but there are lots of different options out there)

This one is great on its own and also introduces the idea of playing the look and find game outside of the car when they start getting older. My preschooler loves books and today this one helped me when she was getting restless and we played countdown look and find to find the mile markers 1-10 counting down the miles to the state line. She instantly became excited and distracted from her initial tireless disposition.

3.  Individual wrapped toilet seat covers  

This is always in my car and diaper bag because when a kid has to go they have to go. I never know where we might be and the oversized cover allows my child to sit comfortably and protected. I like the individually wrapped ones since they are easier to grab and go. Amazon has many different options and different size but my go to are the Potty Shields XL.

Now that we have arrived and with limited meltdowns it's time for some rest and relaxation.  Who am I kidding same chaos different location and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Welcome to my comfortably chaotic world!

What is one more thing for me to do?

There are only 17 days of summer vacation left and I decided to grab the bull by the horns and share the chaos that makes my life so crazy perfect.  I am a wife, mother of two, kindergarten teacher , yet I love to stay busy. As if an infant and preschooler aren't enough I started cake decorating and new adventures in photography. Both add to the chaos that makes my life complete. While I am enjoying these last few weeks of summer my oldest is craving the routine of school. The picture below is becoming all too familiar. My oldest thrives on routine and structure while my youngest is happy as can be. 

 

So get ready for photos, cakes, teaching tools and more as I blog my way through this new chaos!