Twistix!

I recently purchased "Twistix" popsicle molds from Food Lion. You simply pour something into them, freeze them, and then twist the treat up when they are ready. We've had fun experimenting with different popsicle ideas from orange juice with fresh blueberries to low calorie (only 60) strawberry yogurt! They are very tasty! Though a little pricey initially ($7), I am hoping that they will more than pay for themselves over time. One little trick if you buy them, run hot water over them for a few seconds and it is easier to twist the popsicle up.

Their website can be found at: http://ezfreezetwistix.com/

Trader Joe's= Yummy!

I have recently been "changing my lifestyle." I don't want to call it a diet, because that would implicate that I can go back off of it! I have lost 8 pounds in little over 2 weeks. We went to Trader Joe's grocery store last weekend in search of some delicious, healthy (those two words don't usually go together, lol) food. We bought 3 bags of premade pizza dough (only 99 cents each). I had wheat, Caleb had regular, and Jason had garlic herb. The best part was that we got to play with our food before we ate it!

Daddy and Caleb spreading the dough out.Caleb decorating his pizza!

Caleb isn't too happy about the healthy changes, but he'll get hungry eventually! If any one has any healthy recipes to share, I'd love it!

Kahlua Dip and Cookies

Tonight I am headed to a teacher friend's house for wine, cheese, and desserts. I figured that Kahlua dip would fit right in! My cousin Karen made this at Christmas time and I have taken it to several parties since. It is always a big hit!

Kahlua Dip and Cookies

Ingredients:
1 container of cool whip (small container)
1 package of cream cheese
1 bag of milk chocolate chips
Vanilla extract
Kahlua
Chocolate "Teddy Grahams"

Blend cool whip and cream cheese until combined well. Add vanilla extract and kahlua to taste. Blend again. Fold in milk chocolate chips. Refrigerate until firm (2-3 hours). Serve with chocolate teddy grahams for dipping.

Ideas I have for modifying: light cool whip, light cream cheese, maybe Hershey's chocolate syrup in place of the Kahlua?

The Most Amazing Book I Have Ever Read in My Life!

A friend of mine recommended this book to me a few weeks ago. Thank you so much Stephanie! "The Shack" by William Young is the most powerful book I have ever read in my life next to the Bible. It has changed how I view life.

In this story a little girl is brutally murdered. Her father receives a letter from God to come to the place where the murder occurred. I don't want to say too much more and give anything away, so all I will say is READ IT NOW!

Summer lovin' had me a blast...

Even though I am teaching summer school again this year, the half days make for a slower pace and give me precious afternoons with my boys.

Today I took Caleb and Blake outside for some backyard fun. I was sure to place an umbrella in front of Blake to block the sun. Technically he is not supposed to wear sunblock until his he is 6 months old. I break this rule some times though when it is not possible to shield him from the sun. To me it is worse to have a kid with itchy skin (although Blake doesn't exhibit this) than it is to have a kid that is sun burnt! He was more interested in the bold colors on the umbrella than he was with his big brother Caleb.
Caleb was clever enough to ask me to move his slide over to the pool.

He slides down into his pool for 1-2 hours. With how overactive he has become lately, this is a welcome break for all of us!

Ice Cream Cake

This ice cream cake is a hit every time I take it to a party! It couldn't be easier!

Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients:

1 large box of ice cream sandwiches (or 2 small boxes)

1 container of cool whip (the smaller containers will do)

1 jar of hot fudge (I use the Hershey's brand usually... do not buy the kind in the bottle)

1 jar of caramel (Again, I use the Hershey's brand... do not buy the kind in the squeeze bottle)

1 package of chocolate Heath bit (usually in the baking aisle by chocolate chips)

Arrange ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a 13x9 pan. I usually have to cut some in half vertically and horizontally to make them fit just right. Heat fudge and caramel in the jar in the microwave for 30 seconds each. Drizzle some of the fudge and caramel on top of the ice cream sandwiches (about 1/3-1/2 of the jar). Sprinkle some of the heath bits (about 1/3-1/2 of the bag). Spread cool whip on top. Finally, drizzle fudge and caramel again. Sprinkle remaining heath bits. Freeze at least 1-2 hours before serving or it will be soupy.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions, but again it couldn't be any easier!

The Next Food Network Star?

My three year old son Caleb LOVES to bake! Today he helped me make muffins. He wanted to do everything from spraying the cupcake liners with pam spray to adding the water. His favorite toy is his kitchen. I had a hard time finding a "masculine" kitchen that wasn't pink or covered with "Dora the Explorer."

We have had a great day at home today. We went swimming in the kiddie pool, played in the sandbox, fingerpainted, read books, watched Sesame Street, etc. I love my summer days at home!

We are getting ready for a fun 4th of July weekend! We're going to Dutch Wonderland's waterpark, the Shady Maple, and the Christmas Tree Shoppe (I'll have to post about this store some time soon) tomorrow. On Saturday we are going to my cousin's for swimming during the day and then to my future sister in law's at night. From my future sister in law's (her parents' house is on the bay) you can see Dundalk fireworks to the left, Inner Harbor fireworks to the left, and then the boys put off illegal fireworks. I hope everyone has a great weekend! We're so lucky to live in America!