cake pops

I know cake pops are every where right now.  To be honest, I don't really care for them all that much. I am not a fan of chocolate and not a fan of "wet" cake. I know it's not wet or raw cake, but crumbled cake mixed with the frosting doesn't taste good to me. Maybe it's because I don't really like frosting either?  I do think they are ridiculously cute to look at though.

via

Anyway, I just heard about Babycakes cake pops maker from Baby Gizmo. You can read Holly's review of the cake pop maker here. This maker creates perfectly round cake balls or donut holes. The inside is more like real cake and I can dip them in white chocolate, which I actually like, then decorate with fun sprinkles. To top it off, it takes a significantly less amount of time to make them then the "real" cake pops that you see popping up everywhere. You mean I can actually make something cute, fun and yummy without spending hours in the kitchen? Yes please!

via Babycakes

So now, I am at the Babycakes website and realize that the cake maker is only $25! serisouly? It also comes with a cooling rack to put the sticks in when done decorating. And it comes with a recipe booklet. I think that is a great investment for all the cute cake pops I can make for parties. And I can't wait to make these as treats for birthday presents! They are just so darn cute. I think this may be another treat I make for the guest at  Chloe's first birthday!

via Babycakes

via Babycakes

1st Birthday Ideas?

I am a big party planner and I start planning parties wayyy in advance. I feel like I am falling behind with Chloe's 1st birthday only 4 months away! Most of our family is coming to be here for that weekend (it helps that it is also Thanksgiving weekend). I can't wait to celebrate this special day with all the family!

My sister has already mentioned she wants to make themed cupcakes. (hmm... maybe a cupcake themed party?)

I was thinking it would be so much easier to go with a couple colors and center everything around that. Like a very happy YELLOW birthday party. I am a sucker for yellow, one of my fave colors. It's so happy and cheerful. And it's not your typical pink girl party. Plus, that candy bar looks DELISH and so pretty with the ruffle streamers.

via The Sweetest Occasion Blog

I know I want to include tons of hand made fabric flag banners. Sheri from Young House Love had made one for her daughters birthday here. And better yet, I could even make cake bunting with this tutorial from The Sweetest Occasion found here.

via The Sweetest Occasion

and I can make invites that have printed pennant banners like this:

via Jack & Izzy Blog

I definitely want to have a little candy/treat/dessert bar with cute little things like cake pops and chocolate dipped pretzels and marshmallows.  I could definitely make these on my own, I feel they would be super easy to make. Just decorate with sprinkles and a bow to match the colors of the party.

via Maddycakes Muse Blog

I cant wait to get started on planning! Anyone have any ideas or tricks of the trade for throwing a big birthday party on a tight budget? I would love to here your suggestions!

Family Time

A couple of weeks ago, we went up to visit my parents and take some family photos. We went up early and stayed Friday night. My mom made her delicious tacos and we just hung out and relaxed. Chloe played with our HUGE family dogs and rolled/army crawled all around the house. My step dad  usually acts all hard and tough, but as soon as he holds Chloe he becomes a softy, like a big ol' teddy bear.  My sisters and significant others came up Saturday to hang out. We walked around Old Town Temecula and it was adorable! I would love to go back there when we have more time and it's not so hot. It was so much fun just hanging out with my family and doing something outside together. Chloe had a blast hanging out with all her auties and her grandparents. She was a very happy baby the entire trip and mostly slept for the car ride.
 
My mom wanted us to wear white, gray and purple. So I decided to make a quick purple tutu on the 1 1/2 hour car ride up to see them. I like how it turned out. When Chloe starts walking I think I will making many more of these!

Auntie Ginney

re-creation of our first picture together (I wish we could find the original picture, it does look just like it)

Auntie Tiff

Daddy

Grandma

 

Chloe is so happy here!

As you can tell...

I have been pretty absent lately, here on the blog. Work has had me swamped lately. And I have been so busy at home that I never get a chance to sit in front of the computer to even read an email, let alone write a blog post. Sorry to those, especially my family, who like to keep updated on the Schmitzel's life. I have made it a challenge of mine to blog at least 2 times a week and slowly grow more from there.

Anyway, I put up a new blog poll to the right. You should go answer it!

James will be gone the next 3 days in Chicago for a business trip. His first one since we have been married. He used to travel all the time around 4 years ago, but I feel it is different now that we have a little one. It will be just momma and baby. Even though it will be a lot of work, I am looking forward to some quality time.

And I am having a few other moms come over tonight for a play date and dinner. I would take pictures, but James has taken both cameras to Chicago.

Maybe I will get to blogging more this week if Chloe goes to bed before 10pm (wish me luck!)

Please, Vote!

I entered Chloe in the Gerber baby contest last month and totally forgot about it! eek!  

So please, vote for her.

Normally, I am not one to vote for how "cute" someones baby is. All baby's are precious. However, this gives her the chance to  be the next Gerber baby and win a college scholarship! And I am all for preparing for my child's future education. So, it leaves me to beg for votes. A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do. 

You can vote for more than one baby and you can vote for each baby once a day until July 31st.

Click on the picture below to go to the voting page! You can always search for her with the name "Chloe Darling".