Perfect Chocolate Icing {on Spring Cupcakes}

I have been on the hunt for a GREAT chocolate frosting. I knew I didn't want to use cream cheese and I tried a fudge frosting but it turned out too runny.
Then when the Hubs asked for yellow cake with chocolate frosting for his 30th birthday, the pressure was on!
I searched and pinned icing recipes on Pinterest for days.
And I came across {this} one from Key Ingredient. It looked simple and I had all of the ingredients on hand.

Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
-Oh my yum.-
In fact, I've made it twice in the last couple of weeks. And as I'm sitting here typing, I'm trying to come up with a reason that I need to make another cake just to have this icing!
Get ready to kiss that canned chocolate frosting good-bye.

Here's What You'll Need:
1 cup softened margarine
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 Tablespoons milk

Here's How:
In a stand mixer, whip the margarine and cocoa together until smooth.
Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar.
While stirring, slowly stream in the milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.
Scrap down sides and whip.
This is where the magic happens.
It'll turn from pasty, thick icing to glossy, lick your fingers good icing. 1-2 minutes of whipping and it will be fluffy and smooth.

(This is enough frosting for 24 cupcakes.)


I made classic yellow cupcakes (shhhh, it was from a box!) and piped this yummy chocolate frosting on top.
To take them to our Youth Group's Easter Egg Hunt, I topped the icing with toasted coconut and 2 'eggs' to resemble a little birdies nest.
(The eggs were candy Whoppers shaped as eggs.)

And just in case you didn't know......

A Little Bit of Easter

Here's a peek at our little Easter decorations....

{Print your own Easter Subway art from Hopscotch Studio Designs HERE.}

{Print your own Easter Banner from Paper Coterie HERE.}

And my favorite little bunny....
I saw a similar idea {HERE} and changed it a little. I couldn't find a bunny silhouette I liked to print off so I drew my own and then traced it onto patterned paper. The bunny is glued to a burlap background. And its cute little tail was made just like the Felt Flower Hair Clips I made {HERE}.

Okay, actually THESE are my favorite little bunnies......

Bump Day Bump Date- 7 Weeks

Countdown

Today marks 33.5 weeks! 

I am getting really excited. Can't wait to meet our little baby.

Maternity Clothes

I bought this dress from Motherhood Maternity for Easter Sunday. 

It's not as dressy as I would like but, I can't be too picky.

I will, however,  coordinate with my little family so I am happy about that! 

Cravings

No new cravings, but I am in constant need of ice chips.

(This give me a flash back to when I was pregnant with my daughter. I would lay in bed EVERY night and chomp away on ice. Sorry Hubby! It's annoying, I'm sure!!!!)

Photo

This was taken on Sunday.

(One of the days in the week I actually get dressed and put make-up on. Haha) 

Baby

Baby's crown to rump is about 12.2 inches and weighs about 4.6-5 pounds.
Keep growing baby!!!! We want you nice and chunky. :)

Bump Day Bump Date- 8 Weeks

Countdown

Today marks 32.5 weeks pregnant for me!
This has been a tough week! I went to the doctor last week to confirm my sinus infection. Taking antibiotics and meds always makes me feel less than normal. A week and a half later, I'm still coughing and having drainage.
My prenatal visit on Monday went well. (I am now on two-week visits!)
I weighed in at 150. A few pounds less than my last visit, but not enough to be concerned about. I had spent the whole day on the couch before my appointment nauseated. My loving husband came home at lunch early from work to feed and play with Graham. He was then the chauffeur for my appointment, dinner maker and cleaned up the dishes afterwards! He did the bath and nighttime routines too.
Awesome doesn't even scratch the surface.

I WAS concerned about this baby being breech. Most mornings I wake up with a hard lump right under my rib cage. My babies are normally never that high and to me, it felt like a head.
It was amazing to have my doctor feel the baby through my stomach and tell what and where the 'parts' were. Turns out that hard lump is just a little hinney. :) And the baby's back was curved on my right side. Its head is down and everything looks good!

Maternity Clothes

Nothing new, but I did manage to ruin a shirt with bacon grease. And I'm REALLY ready to wear short sleeves!

I was able to give a big bag of clothes to a friend. She isn't quite as far along as me so my 'early' maternity clothes will get more use!

Funny thing you don't think about unless you're pregnant....
I haven't 'buttoned' pants since last fall. Two reasons for that: One, buttoned pants could be very uncomfortable and not at all giving;  Two, it makes those potty emergencies less of emergencies! ;)

Cravings

No new cravings, but I discovered something that I wish I had known earlier....

So, one of the major things I have to adjust to when getting pregnant/being pregnant/nursing are the GIGANTIC horse pills known as prenatal vitamins.
Anyone else agree???
I can't tell you how many times I would gag and gag trying to get those things down. (Pathetic, I know. I've always had a hard time swallowing pills.)
Anyway.... my life (or at least my night-time gaging ritual) has changed.
PRENATAL GUMMIES!!!!!!
Who knew??? Now I just chew two yummy gummies everyday and I'm set!
And they're actually good!

Photo

This picture is literally 10 minutes old and not too flattering.... I just said to my husband, "Quick, take a picture of me for my blog!" Posting this picture is true love people!!!

Baby 

Baby's crown to rump is 11.8 inches and weighs about 4.4 pounds.

The Baby appears less red and wrinkled now and its kidneys are fully developed!

Still LOTS of movement. I mentioned to Joel that when I feel it kick, it seems like it's a boy because it kicks so hard! To which he replied, "Or a soccer girl!" :)



Happy Bump Day!

Bump Day Bump Date- 9 Weeks

Countdown

Last Friday, March 8, I was officially 31 weeks along!

9 weeks to go!!!

(And yes, pregnancy is technically 10 months rather than the 9 that you usually hear about!)

Maternity Clothes

I haven't purchased any new clothes for me, but I did buy matching Easter outfits for the kids. 

Joel even has a shirt that looks just like Grahams. 

Now I am in the process of finding something to wear so I can coordinate too!

Here are a few I've had my eye on....

All three dresses can be found at Pink Blush Maternity. 

(They have seriously cute clothes!)

Cravings

Yep, still eating my fair share of chocolate.

I've also added fruit popsicles to my 'desired night-time snacks'!

Now I'm thinking I should get some fudge popsicles. The best of both worlds!

Photo

Here I am at 31 weeks.....

Baby

The Baby's crown to rump is approximately 11.4 inches.

Baby weighs about 3.75- 4 pounds.

(Still so tiny! My stretching tummy certainly thinks differently!)

Boy or Girl?

When we went for our sonogram appointment in December, we didn't want to find out if we should buy pink or blue.
"What?!?!?! Why???" Is the reaction we got.
Apparently, it's true torture to the Grandmas for us to NOT find out.
The technician who did our sonogram told us that there are very few couples who come in NOT wanting to find out. And NO, we did not have her write it down and seal it in an envelope for us! :)

We have a girl and a boy already. (And the basic baby clothes needed for each.) I thought it would be SO neat to hear it first from the doctor after waiting so long to find out. We did find out with our other two but we are REALLY excited for this surprise!

It's fun to hear the kids talk about having a little sister or a little brother.

Now, the hard part, picking out TWO names! :)

Bump Day Bump Date- 10 weeks

Wednesday is typically 'Hump Day'... but when you're pregnant it can be called
'Bump Day'.
So, on this 'Bump Day', I'd like to share a 'Bump Date' of just how the 'Bump' is coming along!

I thought I'd give you a fun 'Bump Date' (up date) counting down the last 10 weeks of this pregnancy. 'Cause who knows? After 10 weeks, I might be so busy, you may never hear from me again! (Haha)

Don't worry, I'll spare you the details no one really wants to know. I won't be posting about my stretch marks or major complaints.
Let's think positive.
Besides, I can deal with anything for 10 weeks, right???

Countdown

I can't believe I am 30 1/2 weeks. I love when my weekly countdown can be put on my fingers. (10 more weeks!)
It has gone pretty fast so far. (Although I've had a couple of slloooooooowwwww weeks along the way.)
The snow outside my windows right now is not making Spring seem very close!

Weight Gain

At my appointment on Monday, I weighed in at 151. But don't worry, my belly almost covered the numbers on the electronic scale. So, it's just a matter of time before I can't even see the weight gain!
I started out at about 125.
Total weight gain so far: 26 pounds.

Maternity Clothes

I ordered a couple cap-sleeved shirts, a maxi sleeveless dress and some basic, bright colored tanks.
I was hoping my box of new clothes would also bring more Spring-like weather!

This is the shirt I bought in the color shown and in navy.

(via)

Cravings

Just the normal chocolate first thing in the morning and chocolate as the last thing at night. :) Shall I review the weight gain portion of this post????
(Hubby brought home chocolate croissants the other day. HEAVEN.)

I've also enjoyed many cups of Raspberry Lemonade (with ICE) this week. Every drink MUST contain plenty of ice. Ice-chips are nice too. I think I might be dehydrated if I was forced to drink a room temperature drink!

Photo

This is where these 'Bump Dates' will stretch me! (Haha, no pun-intended!)
I don't have many pictures of myself pregnant with my first two. I'm going to try to post a picture every week, but I'm sure you'll understand if I don't. (Right?!?!?!)

Although pregnancy seems like the most 'unglamorous' time of a woman's life, it is such a miracle.
WOW. What a privilege!

Here I am at 27 weeks....

We all feel and see the baby move! The kids fight over 'belly space' to place their hands to wait for the baby to kick them.

Graham is constantly telling me that he is going to help change the baby's diapers and feed the baby.
I know Reese will be a HUGE help because she was so good when Graham was born and that was almost 4 years ago! We are all very excited!


Happy Bump Day!

Graduation Gift

I know it's a little early to be thinking Graduation gifts... and it's REALLY early for the Graduation gift I'm starting!

Since tomorrow is Dr. Seuss's birthday, I thought I'd share one gift I know my daughter will receive at her High School Graduation.
(And yes, she's only in 1st grade!)

"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!"
-Dr. Seuss

"Just a book?" You might possibly say....

You should know that's not the game I would play.

Every school year, all the way through,

Her teacher will sign and write a note too!

{Sorry, I couldn't help but rhyme!
I don't think Dr. Seuss would consider it a crime!}




So here's my plan, and as you can see, I'm just beginning! After every school year, I will have Reese's teacher write a note about her. A memory, a funny story, etc.
That way, on her High School Graduation Day, Reese will have notes to read and keep from all of her past teachers!

You can read one daughters reaction to her Father giving her the same gift {HERE}.
Precious! I hope Reese bursts into tears too. 11 more years and we'll see!