Cake, Cake, and More Cake!

The first week of September is party week at our house! Logan turned three on September 5th and Emily just celebrated her sixth Birthday on September 7th. It's a lot of fun and a lot of frosting!

Somehow we started a "surprise cake" birthday tradition in our family--which boils down to this:

A few weeks before each birthday I spent quite a bit of time on the internet looking for the perfect decorating idea.

The night before I pull out the Wilton bags and tips after they go to bed and get started! It always makes for a late night--however, thanks to a tip from Katie I stopped making my own frosting (just add a little powdered sugar to the can--works great and saves a lot of time!) This year Logan got a spiderman cake! I found a picture of Spiderman's face on the computer and printed it off--traced it on wax paper and used that as my template to cut the cake!


Emily had an ice cream cone cake! I found a picture on Better Homes and Gardens website using cupcakes for the scoops of ice cream. It turned out cute--to frost the cupcakes I didn't add the powdered sugar to the frosting--it was really soft and almost melted over the top--it really looked like ice cream! It worked perfect--six cupcakes and six candles for the birthday girl!

The morning of the big day, the birthday boy/girl stays in their room until the candles are lit. They come out to see their cake while the family sings "Happy Birthday!"

Emily's Birthday Slideshow

Logan's Birthday Slideshow

First Day of School!

School started on Wednesday, September 3rd! Jackson started 2nd grade and Emily is in Kindergarten this year. They were so excited and ready after a crazy summer!

The day before school started I took Jackson and Logan to get their hair cut. Ryan took them last time and you could hardly tell they had it done. I was determined to make sure they cut it a little shorter. I told them the same as last time but asked them to use a #2 razor instead--Jackson went with one stylist and I helped Logan get ready for his cut. I looked over just as the lady cutting Jackson's hair used the razor on the top of his head!!! I just about died! Well, he finally got the buzz cut he has been asking for. He loves it! I can't wait until it grows!

Later that day, I took Emily to their school for her "Kindergarten Visitation." She was able to see her classroom, meet her teacher, and find her cubby and her seat! She is so excited. I can't believe she is in Kindergarten. It is all day at her school--she will love it and do great! I will miss her...so will Logan!

Finally, the first day arrived. Jackson and Emily both popped out of bed and were dressed before breakfast! (Let's hope that continues!) We were ready with plenty of time to spare. We went to the bus stop and watched them get on the bus--they wanted me to come to the school, so after the bus drove away Logan, Laurie, and I got in the car. Their bus came, they got off, and

couldn't go into the school fast enough! They didn't need me there after all. I cried as I walked back to my car! I was a little nervous for them, but they loved it and had a great first day!

Weekend in Boston

We decided to take a little trip to Boston over Labor Day weekend--our last get away before school started! We had such a great time. Neither Ryan or I had ever been there. We woke the kids up early and left home a little before 5:00 am--with the plan that they would all go right back to sleep! It was a great idea, but Laurie was the only taker. Logan did doze off for a little bit while we passed through Connecticut, but that was it! Everyone was still sleepy and possibly too tired to realize they were bored! The drive went pretty fast--thank goodness for DVD players!

We loved Boston! The Duck Tour was probably the favorite activity of the day. If you haven't experienced a Duck Tour--it's a tour on land and on the water! The huge vehicle that cruises around the sites of the city also floats! Jackson and Emily both got to drive in the water--it was pretty exciting!

We also enjoyed the Freedom Trail--at least Ryan and I did. The kids got a little tired of walking, but we loved being in the place where so much history was made. I want to find an elementary American history text book so I can teach my kids and refresh my memory too!

Other favorite things--seeing Fenway Park, eating Lobster on Cape Cod, surprising my companion Lauren Laws (Sister Elliott) in her ward on Sunday, seeing the Boston Temple, driving around Harvard University, stepping aboard the USS Constitution, and eating lunch at Warren Tavern (great Chowder and long straws made by Logan!!!)

Boston Slideshow