My first fondant cake since I took a class...

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to try to make a cake using a new "non-marshmallow" fondant recipe. I used the "Wilton Rolled Fondant" recipe and it worked so much better than the marshmallow fondant recipe!!!! It was so much easier to work with, as well as make, and it tastes better than the pre-made fondant you can buy (which just so happens to cost a small fortune)!!! Here is my mini-cake masterpiece! I ran into a few snafus, but I think it turned pretty darn good!

Brayden's Field Trip to Wait Park!

Last week, Brayden's class celebrated the summer birthdays by going on a field trip to Wait Park! The kids even got to ride the CAT Bus (Canby Area Transit) to the park from the school. I didn't get to go on the bus, but apparently all of the kids were wondering where the seat belts were! haha!

Here is Brayden with his class!
Brayden looking all grown up on the playground equipment!

Brayden having fun with his bestest friends, Koen & Logan!

Sienna even joined in the fun for a bit with Brayden's friend, Emily!

Mother's Dessert at Brayden's Preschool!

The Tuesday night before Mother's Day, Brayden's preschool had a Mother's Dessert. At the dessert, we got the gifts that the kids had made for us...a plate and a flower. I didn't get a picture of the flower, but Brayden painted my face in the middle of the flower and then said what he enjoyed doing with me...playing Candyland and "picking up". haha!
Then the kids sang 3 songs for us. I was impressed that Brayden wasn't shy AND he even sang the songs!!! Too bad I didn't think to bring the video camera!

Next year I'll get TWO special nights with the kids...one with Sienna's three's class and one with Brayden's four's class! YEA!

Fighting Sleep

Sienna has been waking up SUPER early to go potty and then refuses to go back to sleep. Despite her yawning and eye rubbing, she INSISTS that she is not tired. Well, yesterday she woke up especially early (5:50am) and by 10:30am, she was asleep in Chris' lap!

No matter what I do, blogger refuses to post this picture horizontally...argh!

Cake Classes!

I've been to a cake class 3 times in the last 2 weeks! Last night was the Fabulous Fondant class and I had so much fun playing with fondant! Now I'm super excited to make Sienna's Princess Castle cake in June...hopefully I'll remember everything I've learned!

I wasn't too excited to make a hat cake, but at least I learned more about working with fondant!

Here are all the hats made in my fondant class!

I also finished the buttercream class, which wasn't nearly as fun. But, I did learn some useful tips and tricks, so it was totally worth it! Since we didn't use any colored frosting, I wasn't going to take a picture, but I changed my mind after Chris had a piece of cake. I definitely didn't take my time decorating the cake, so don't look too closely! Plus, I ruined the right side of the cake on the cake box. Oh well!

Spins Anyone?

Before bed, Chris gives the kids "spins". They get to request which arms, legs, etc Chris holds for each spin. Here's where they "take off"!
Then the fun begins...

Eventually, they are flying through the air like SUPERMAN!

Sienna doesn't actually like to go very high, or fast...

She is not quite the daredevil that Brayden is!

I took some video a couple of nights ago while the kids were doing their spins...I'll have to post those later!

Mollala River State Park

Last Thursday, Sienna and I got to join Brayden's class for a nature walk at Mollala River State Park!

Here's a picture of Brayden's class. I didn't realize that Sienna was in the group picture until I got home and downloaded the pics (and she doesn't look too happy to be smashed in with all those kids)...whoops!
I love this picture, mostly because you can see just how long Sienna's hair has grown...I'm sure if I stopped to watch her hair, I'd actually be able to see it grow! haha!

They had a little race before snack time!

Snack time!

Cake Decorating Classes!

After making 4 birthday cakes for the kids, I've finally decided it's time to take a class! Tonight is part 1 of the buttercream class at Ladybug Chocolates. Next Wednesday is part 2 of the buttercream class, followed by a fondant class on Thursday. I am beyond excited (and a bit nervous)! I'm hoping to learn a few tips and tricks to make things a bit less stressful while making Sienna's cake in June. Here are the cakes that I've made so far:

Cake 1: Sienna's 1st Birthday cake (June 2008) - my first attempt at decorating a cake!
Cake 2: Brayden's 3rd Birthday cake (October 2008)

Cake 3: Sienna's 2nd Birthday cake (June 2009)

Cake 4: Brayden's 4th Birthday cake (October 2009) - my first attempt at using fondant!

Sienna has requested a princess cake for her 3rd birthday. I plan on constructing a castle from scratch...wish me luck!

Painted Nails, Bikes & "Driving"!

While I was painting my toes on Friday, Sienna asked me to paint hers, too! At first Brayden didn't quite understand why I wouldn't paint his toes, but he finally decided to accept the fact that boys don't wear polish!
Sienna finally got a chance to ride her new Dora bike outside!

Brayden and Sienna still love to pretend to drive. As you can see by Brayden's facial expression, he was really getting into his driving!

Cousin Brian

When I was going through my pictures, I found this one that was taken back in February (Sienna was still in a sling!), and I thought it was too cute not to share. Chris' brother and his family came over to hang out and Brayden and Brian were having so much fun with the little airplane. Brayden had a blast pushing his 10 year old cousin all around the house...how cute is that?

Random March Fun

We stopped giving Sienna naps because she wasn't going to bed at night. That worked for a couple of weeks, but then she started getting up a gazillion times a night, giving us every excuse in the book as to why she wasn't in bed. We tried going back to afternoon naps, but then she wouldn't stay in bed at bedtime AND she was still getting up a gazillion times a night. So, we went back to no naps. However, she wanted me to hold her during "quiet time" and it never failed that she would fall asleep in my arms. Sienna would be so sound asleep that I could move her to the couch and she wouldn't wake up! Part of me loved snuggling with my baby, but another part of me just wanted some time to myself. I just love to watch my babies sleep...they always look so cute and sweet!

Lately the kids have been pretending to take naps in Brayden's bed...if only they would stay there for more than 5 seconds! This one time Brayden wanted me to take their picture...aren't they cute?!?!?! The kids have only slept in the same room once and it didn't go all that great...it sure would be nice if they really could share a bed when we traveled away from home!

What is it with kids and baskets? When the kids decided to spend most of their day in these 2 baskets, it brought back memories of them when they were babies...both of them loved to climb in the toy baskets and toy box. One of the first pictures I ever took of this was when Brayden was just 11 months old (click to follow the link).

Attack of the kids!

Girls Only Playdate! Avery, Sienna & Maggie Jane...all were born within a month of each other! For Chris' 37th birthday, I decided to surprise Chris with a special "Guinness" cake! They couldn't actually use the word Guinness, or it's logo due to copyright protection, but you still get the idea!

I surprised Chris with the cake at our friends house!

Earlier in the evening, the kids decorated cupcakes to celebrate Daddy's birthday!

Brayden vs. the Door Knob

Door Knob: 1 Brayden: 0

Don't ever get in a fight with a door knob...the door knob will win every time!

(click to enlarge)

Easter Fun!

Our Easter weekend fun started off with an Easter Egg Hunt at Bauman Farms! Grandma Boley and our nephew, Jack, joined us in the Easter fun!

Brayden and Jack hiding from the rain and wind before the Easter Egg Hunt began!
All three of the kids were in different age groups, so it was lucky that there were enough adults to go with each of them. Sienna and I were in the first group of egg hunters!

Then it was Brayden's turn. As you can see, the rain didn't keep anyone home...it was super crowded!

Chris and Brayden after the hunt was over!

Sienna and me!

We headed inside after Jack finished and Grandma Boley bought us all yummy doughnuts!

Brayden even learned how to blow up balloons this weekend! He mastered it on Easter Sunday, but I didn't get a picture of it...

Easter morning, the kids woke up and started hunting for all the eggs the Easter Bunny hid for them!

That was one tricky Easter Bunny!

The kids checking out all the candy they got in their eggs!

After they ate a few pieces of chocolate, they were ready to open their presents from Grandma & Grandpa Macnab!

They both got bubble rockets! Now we just need some nice weather so we can play with them outside. Luckily you don't have to use the bubbles, so the kids are able to play with them inside for now. :)

After church, we gave the kids the Easter presents we bought them.

Brayden got a super cool Hot Wheels race track!

And Sienna got a new big girl Dora bike! Both kids had a blast riding it around the house!

Now all we need is the warm sun to come out so we can take our new toys outside to play!!!