Sport Clips

Sports Clips opened a brand new barbershop at the Avenue in White Marsh today. As a part of their grand opening celebration (and 700th store) they had $7.o0 haircuts, which was donated to charity, and you received a coupon for a free haircut the next time. They were also trying to break the Guinness record for the most haircuts in 12 hours. I still have not heard whether or not they met the goal! There was even a Guinness judge there to confirm whether or not each haircut was legitimate. It was really neat!
Each haircut started in the "Locker Room" where they wash your hair. This was the first time Caleb had his hair washed like this. Usually they just wet his hair down. He did very well!

Next it was onto the haircut chair. The shop has a neat sports theme (lockers, etc.) and there are televisions everywhere broadcasting different sporting events.

I love how this mirror shot turned out!

In addition to the haircut deal, the boys got Orioles foam fingers and got to meet Orioles pitcher #49 Jason Berken.

Outside was the "Crazy Ravens Guy" and his Ravens mobile.

Sports Clips is located directly across from Don Pablos. Their regular prices are reasonable, $15-$21, depending on what services you want included (the MVP package includes a hot towel and massage). I will definitely take Caleb back! (And Blake too... whenever I get the courage to cut his hair! I am putting it off as I feel he won't look like a baby any more!) Their website is http://www.sportsclips.com/

Smores Bars

I made this recipe for dessert tonight (I had my family over for dinner). It was extremely delicious! I am glad that I had family over and shared with neighbors as having only 1 small piece was tough! ;)

Smores Bars (Taken from TasteofHome.com)

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (I just crushed up regular graham crackers in a ziploc bag using a rolling pin)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

5 hershey bars (1.55 ounces each, I bought a 6 pack at Target)
1 cup marshmallow creme

1.In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Hold 1/2 cup for topping.

2. Press remaining mixture into a greased 9 inch square pan. Place candy bars over crust. Spread with marshmallow creme (trickiest part of the recipe... I microwaved it to make it more spreadable, which worked... except that it exploded all over the place inside of the microwave).

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Fantasy Fudge

My mother-in-law recently mentioned that she wanted fudge, so I made some! Everything went well with two minor exceptions... First, I didn't read the ingredient list carefully enough and did not have enough chocolate. I had to run to the grocery store quickly as I had already put the buter, sugar, and evaporated milk in the pot. I really need to pay attention! Second, I forgot the vanilla! I did take a little nip off the mixing spoon and it still tastes good despite this mistake. Considering it cost an arm and a leg to buy fudge, this is the way to go! The recipe is on the side of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme jars!

Ingredients:

3 Cups Sugar

3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)

1 small can evaporated milk (5 oz. Do NOT use sweetened condensed milk)

1 1/2 package (12 squares) BAKER's semi sweet chocolate, chopped (super messy)

1 jar (7 oz) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme

1 cup walnuts (I did not use this)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Line 9 inch square pan with foil. Allow foil to extend over sides.

2. Place sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Bring to full, rolling boil on medium heat. Stir constantly (or it will scald!). Boil 4 minutes then remove from heat.

3. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme, stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla.

4. Pour immediately into prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature for 4 hours before cutting. Cut into 1 inch squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

If I Had a Dollar for...

each microscopic Styrofoam ball that we sucked up in the vacuum tonight, I would probably be a millionaire. Caleb's nap did not go so well today... in fact, it was a disaster! He was quiet, so I thought he was actually sleeping. Puh! When I came to get him out of bed I discovered that he had chewed a hole (this is why I refuse to let him have a dog... I don't want things getting chewed, ha) through his Lightning McQueen Car plush. This plush contained said Styrofoam balls. The picture above really does not do the situation much justice. The balls were under his bed, on the floor, on the bunky board, between the bunky board and wooden rail, all over his sheets, all over his comforter, and stuck to his stuffed animals. The best part is that they have a strong static charge! They are stuck in our hair, clothes, and shoes. This is spreading the Styrofoam balls to every inch of my house. I am determined they will still be surfacing ten years from now. Help!

To add injury to insult, 4 year olds are good at that, he also succeeded in totalling his expensive room darkening blind. Jason will have to buy ANOTHER one from Home Depot on the way home from work tomorrow.

I made him sit in time out for 30 minutes. Then I did something kind of mean... His swim school called and cancelled his class for tonight because there was an "accident" (a kid pooped in the pool) at the pool. I told him that he wasn't going to swim class because he was punished. He was devastated. In some small way it honestly felt like justice! For tomorrow's nap I will be watching the video monitor, it may be more interesting than New Jersey Housewives any way!

Garlic Ranch Chicken

We tried this recipe for the first time this week and it was DELICIOUS! The leftovers also made one of the best chicken salad sandwiches I have had in my life!

Garlic Ranch Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup fat free ranch dressing
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon fresh basil

1. Combine the dressing, garlic, and basil in a gallon size ziploc bag. Add chicken to bag and seal. Allow to marinate for 1/2 hour (we marinated ours over night).
2. Preheat grill to medium heat.
3. Grill chicken breasts for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, turning occasionally, until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

YUMMO!