2009

Bad Santa, Monkey Santa, And Gumby Hits The Sauce

December 24, 2009 By Blonde Mom 15 Comments

Merry Christmas Eve!

I thought I’d share a few of our more stellar Kodak holiday moments (not) throughout the years.

Screaming Santa

There was 2003 when Miss C was traumatized as Papa tried to hand her off to Santa.

Ricky the Santa Monkey

Then the following year our now defunct mall was so low budget they couldn’t even afford a real human Santa. Poor kids.

Miss A Christmas wine

Then there was the time Miss A and Gumby broke into Grandma’s wine stash back in 2006.

Here’s to making memories with your loved ones! I’m taking the rest of the week off from blogging so I’ll see you all next week.

Filed Under: My Girls, Parenting 15 Comments

If You Just Believe

December 22, 2009 By Blonde Mom 5 Comments

Meeting Santa

Miss A and THE MAN himself!

The other night the girls sprawled out on their lime green monstrosity of a bean bag, wriggled their socks off and watched Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. This high caliber choice in TV seemed appropriate after an early dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches.

Because they were completely mesmerized by the TV they had been fairly quiet for quite some time and I must admit I was enjoying the blessed peace while I did a little work.

I heard Miss A break the silence and what she said surprised me.

“Miss C do you believe in Santa Claus?”

I stopped and waited for it. I knew what Miss C was likely to say but a faint flicker of doubt stirred in my heart. So I waited.

“Yes, do you?” Miss C replied matter-of-factly.

“Yes.”

They went on quietly watching TV, content in their shared belief.

And I smiled, content in their shared belief.

p.s. I love the Polar Express and this Josh Groban song kept coming to mind all night. Yes I’m a cheese ball! No I don’t care!

Believe (theme song to Polar Express)

Children sleeping
Snow is softly falling.
Dreams are calling
Like bells in the distance.

We were dreamers
Not so long ago.
But, one by one
We all had to grow up.

When it seems the magic slipped away,
We find it all again on Christmas Day.

Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that’s playing.
There’s no time to waste,
There’s so much to celebrate.

Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.

Trains move quickly
To their journey’s end.
Destinations
Are where we begin again.

Ships go sailing
Far across the sea.
Trusting starlight
To get where they need to be.

When it seems that we have lost our way,
We find ourselves again on Christmas Day.

Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that’s playing.
There’s no time to waste,
There’s so much to celebrate.

Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.

If you just believe
If you just believe
If you just believe
Just believe
Just believe

Filed Under: My Girls, Parenting 5 Comments

I Kissed A Brownie And I Liked It

December 21, 2009 By Blonde Mom 11 Comments

Ready to go in the oven. Yum!

Miss A’s Christmas party was today and in an effort to change my slacker ways I did not sign up to bring napkins or paper plates. OK so maybe those slots were taken, but I could have taken the usual road and bought cute cupcakes at the grocery but I opted to actually dirty up some dishes and turn my oven on.

I found this delicious brownie bites recipe at the Picky Palate. Mine turned out much more brownie-esque (that’s a word, I’m certain) than cake like so I’m not sure if I needed to add even more water to the mix or how I could have prevented that. I made these for a classroom full of 4-year-olds and not Martha Stewart, however, so I know they’ll be excited over BROWNIES! and PEPPERMINT SPRINKLES! I did not have a mini muffin pan so I used two regular muffin pans but I only made 20, rather than two full pans (for 24 total). I love how the candy cane Hershey’s Kisses give the brownies a subtle taste of peppermint. I also love that there is leftover candy after you’re finished and for the opportunity to beat the heck out of some candy canes for the sprinkles. Bonus stress reliever!

Peppermint Brownies

And here is where I thank 8 pound two ounce baby Jesus I am not a food stylist or food photographer…sorry this is blurry. I was recovering from a cold medication hangover when I took this picture early this morning.

Festive Candy Cane Kiss Centered Brownie Bites

1 brownie mix (9×13 inch size)

18 candy cane Hershey Kisses

1/2 cup chocolate chips

2 tablespoons heavy cream

3 original candy canes, crushed

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and scoop into a mini cheesecake pan or mini muffin tin pan that has been generously sprayed with cooking spray, about 3/4 way full. Press kisses into center of brownie batter, do not push all the way to bottom, some of the tip should stick out the top. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until brownies are cooked through. Let cool completely.

2. Melt chocolate chips in microwave, 30 second intervals until smooth and melted. Stir in cream until silky smooth. You can place back in microwave for 10 seconds to smooth more if needed. Dip tops of brownies into melted chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

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