Pink paradise

For many years, our family has celebrated the birth of one boy after another. So we may all be going a little nuts now that my brother and sister-in-law are expecting a baby OMIGOSH GIRL. It was fun this weekend to throw a baby shower for Michelle and pretty much put pink things everywhere.

Fluffy decorations from Nobbies

Served Ivy's Tea Room Chicken Salad with La Mie croissants

North Face pink and purple coat from Marge purchased at Active Endeavors

Orange/raspberry cupcakes. See recipe below.

Dessert was something pink, too. This cupcake is well-received every time I make it, and it's really easy to do. I used to be very anti when it came to making cakes or pancakes from mixes, but over the years I've learned that sometimes the stuff in the box is just right and that you're wasting your time doing it from scratch for the same general result. This recipe uses Betty Crocker white cake mix as its base, and it works really well. I love the combination of orange and raspberry, so this is a great choice in my book.

ORANGE-RASPBERRY CUPCAKES

1 box white cake mix
vegetable oil and egg whites, as directed on package
1 1/3 c. pulp-free bottled orange juice
1 large orange, zested
1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 c. heavy cream (I like Sheeder Cloverleaf Farms)
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/4 c. raspberry jam (I used the Overholts' Amish raspberry spread from Kalona, Iowa)
1 container fresh raspberries for garnish (or themed picks, if the occasion permits!)

Bake cake according to package directions, substituting orange juice for water and adding orange zest.

For frosting, combine butter, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and raspberry jam with a hand mixer. Add water to thin as necessary.

Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with a fresh raspberry or decorative pick.

By all accounts, Baby Girl likes these cupcakes. So, hey: Don't argue with my niece's taste. (I do so love saying the phrase MY NIECE, by the way.) Congratulations, Michelle and David!

2013 Recap: Excessive Docu-Momming Edition!

Ever since my son started talking, my Twitter feed has sort of degenerated into a lazy mom's baby book, rife with excessive docu-momming of all the ridonculously adorable and/or ridiculous things my son, CJ, says on a daily basis. But it's also proven to be rather valuable as a log that allows me to browse through the highlights of the past year. Because when you have a toddler, let's face it: Laughing at all the awesome things he says is pretty much the best (and/or only) thing you do.

So here's a brief recap of 2013 CJ tweets. Because that kid cracks me the heck up.

Jan 9: Bossy toddler's new favorite activity is ordering me to vacuum. At least for a few weeks, we'll have the cleanest floors in Polk County.

Feb 13: Just like anything involving a phone is a "hi," anything involving climbing/stairs is a "down." Still getting acquainted w/ CJ's vernacular.

March 9: Me, after CJ climbed into my lap this evening: "Are you ready to go night-night?" CJ, looking at his dad: "Bye!" I took that as a yes.

April 16: After I had Siri show us pics of Elmo on Ben's iPhone, CJ started picking up the phone & yelling into it "Elmo Elmo Elmo." Cutest thing ever.

May 8: I had to pretend a diaper was eating a banana. #reasonsiamlateforwork

May 12: CJ ate a ham sandwich for 90 straight minutes today. He never put it down -- not through a diaper change nor helping me do laundry.

June 23: CJ now appreciates scatological humor. Spent a good half hour this evening busting a gut while I exclaimed, "Poopies!" Yes, I encouraged it.

July 3: When the director of your son's child care center sends you an email w/ the subject line "Dancing Fool," YOU OPEN IT IMMEDIATELY.

Aug 26: CJ's new favorite game is "Big Stumble," which is basically an intentional faceplant.

Aug 28: Turned CJ's car seat forward. Now I don't turn right on red because he cries if he doesn't get to see the light turn green.

Sept 3: CJ, after his family gathered around him and sang two verses of "Happy Birthday" to him and he blew out his "2" cake candle: "Do it again!"

Sept 10: Tonight I told CJ he was going to go with me to vote. He thought I said "boat." Needless to say, his disappointment was palpable.

Oct 5: I ran out of pennies for CJ to throw in the Valley West Mall fountain, so he pawed through my wallet & suggested we throw in my debit card.

Oct 7: Nothing has ever been or ever will be cuter than the way my 2-year-old says the word "cookie:" Toot-key.

Oct 9: CJ has a stuffed Ernie doll that says "I've got the sniffles." Or, as CJ says it, "I've got the nipples."

Oct. 12: CJ's up & trying to sing the alphabet song in his crib. "A, B, C, D, E, F...aw, shucks...H...Q...Q" I'm dying laughing here.

Oct. 25: My 2-year-old as we drove by Panda Express: "Panda!" I smiled and said "You like their food, don't you?" He corrected me: "I loooovvvve it!"

Nov 3: When you go outside to mow the driveway, always insist on wearing your full Halloween costume. (See photo above.)

Nov. 10: Left @CycloneWBB game with 8 minutes left per 2-year-old's request. He said bye to everyone & told them to "enjoy the game." CJ Bruns 2048.

Nov 19: Just when you think kiddo is getting so smart, you spend 20 mins. trying to explain to him why a picture of a plate of cookies isn't edible.

Nov 26: Explained to CJ that Daddy was coming from Cedar Rapids tonight. When Daddy got home, CJ said, "Daddy all done rabbit store!"

Dec 4: Reason #468 why CJ didn't get to bed on time: He was putting lotion on his matchbox jeep.

Dec 8: Got our Christmas tree yesterday. CJ likes to sit on the floor next to the tree and watch it drink water. He gets very excited about this.

Dec 18: CJ, tipping back the Tropicana bottle and trying to get the OJ out that's sitting in the bottom: "This isn't working out."

Dec 19: CJ, counting a large quantity of items: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4...4....4....4....4...."

Dec 22: The other day, as we were walking out of the house, CJ, 2, told me would just stay home alone & order pizza.

Looks like 2014 will be the year of the 2-year-old teenager for us. And yeah, I probably won't stop tweeting about it. You've been warned.