Happy Birthday, Dora!

This week has been a big celebration for Dora. Apparently it is the 10th birthday of the Dora show and Nickelodeon has been having all this fun stuff on television about it along with a new Dora Birthday Celebration movie. And since Dora is HUGE at our house, we had to get in on the celebrating.

So the other day when Audrey saw the demonstration for these cute Dora cupcakes on Nick channel, she asked me if we could do it. I thought it was a great idea and a fun way to spend time with her. They looked cute and fairly easy. That night I printed out the instructions and templates from their website. The next day we went to the grocery store to purchase the necessary ingredients. So far, so good!

Then came time to make them. Audrey had a hard time understanding why we couldn't just open the box and pull out ready made Dora cupcakes. So it took some explaining on my part so she would understand that the activity is for us to make them.

I set up her little station so she could help stir and mix and decorate. I read the directions to her and saw that it indicated this project would take 70 minutes...a little long...but not a biggie.

Well, two and a half (that's right 2 1/2) hours later I finally finished up the batch of those stinkin' Dora cupcakes. Needless to say, my little assistant had lost interest LONG ago and Addison wasn't happy that she was left out of all the fun.

Audrey did decorate the faces. She had fun doing it. Plus, she REALLY enjoyed licking the icing off the spoons. But next time, I think we will stick to something a little easier.

When Audrey Sets the Table...

...it looks like this...



You can tell that she put a great deal of thought into this. She has a blue plate at her daddy's spot because that is his favorite color. Also you will see purple dishes at mommy's place and pink dishes at Audrey's chair because those are our favorite colors.

I just love her imagination. You know that we "eat" these wonderful meals with her too.

More proof that this happens almost daily...


She is preparing our "picnic" to share. Notice the party hats...well we get to wear those often...for the "pretend picnics" as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner on any given day. Just whenever Princess Audrey informs us that we need to wear them at the table.

Did I mention I just love this kid?!!

Hey Good lookin', Whatcha Got Cookin'?

Sweet girl Audrey loves to help out in the kitchen. She really enjoys making goodies for her daddy. Sometimes we make cookies, brownies or cupcakes and take to the fire station for all the guys. She really gets a kick out of it.



On this particular day, she was helping Mommy make brownies. Audrey does really well helping me pour the ingredients into the bowl. She "stirs" the mixture a couple of times and usually proclaims that it is "too hard" and that it is mommy's turn. haha!



I love being able to do such fun things with my girl. One day soon, Addison will be right up there in the action. And hopefully, my girls will be a much better cook than their Mommy. :) LOL



And just for fun, I went back to this old blog post to see just how much Audrey had changed since the last time I posted her picture in this cute apron and hat.

Girl fun!

Audrey and I have had a few days of good, quality, girly time. On Sunday afternoon, Audrey and I decided to do a little cooking, so she made some cookies for us. She really did do a lot of the work. I helped her measure the ingredients, but she poured and mixed them together. Now my kitchen reflected her efforts too (no pictures of the evidence, sorry). But just to give you a visual...think 2 cups of oatmeal all over the counters and floor; milk splashed everywhere; cocoa powder on the cabinets, floor and our clothing...but I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!! And the cookies turned out delicious!

Audrey even got the pleasure of licking the spoons :)

This little lady is such a mess. She always keeps us laughing.

She loves lollipops, so on occasion she gets to have one. And this is the result!

Happy Birthday, Corey!

Friday, May 8th was Corey's birthday. Audrey and I made him brownies and took him out to eat at his favorite Japanese restaurant. He was also pleasantly surprised that we bought him a new hunting ground blind. (Can't go wrong with hunting gear!)
Audrey is helping to make brownies for Daddy.


She was so proud of herself.


Audrey and Daddy before we went out to eat.


Our family! (just before going to eat)

"Sweet" moments with my daughter

Audrey and I spent the evening baking cookies. Now, I'm no Betty Crocker by any stretch of the imagination...but thanks to

I can make some decent cookies. And see---it says homemade on the box...doesn't that count?

After donning her hat and apron, Audrey set to work giving each cookie her special touch.

Then we waited...and waited.

And of course enjoyed some of these delicious cookies,mmmmm...., as well as some special moments with my daughter.

Isn't she the cutest "cook" you've ever seen?

(for the record, yes we made chocolate chip cookies too!)