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Bakin’ It Up

I think Jenny and I should get a copyright on “(verb)in’ It Up,” don’t you? We’ll have to work on that in our spare time.

Anywho, Christmas is almost here, and I would say the one thing I’m MOST excited about this season is baking. I have a google doc all set up and ready to go, with links to the recipes and a matrix matching each type of goody to the intended recipient. You know why I like baking? Because there are RULES. And I might be a little Type A.

The kids and I did a baking process last weekend that was more for fun than anything – we actually ended up pitching most of the results (my kids don’t have a future in cookie decorating, I don’t think), but we enjoyed doing it. We made “Grinch” cookies, which I had seen online but put my own spin on (and by that I mean figured out how we could do it with the stuff we had at our house). I made sugar cookies (using this recipe) and colored the dough green. Then I made some royal icing, left some white and dyed some yellow, and I used red candy melts. Here’s the one I made:

The next thing on my list are these chocolate cookies with peppermint buttercream from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

I made the dough last night and will bake and ice them tonight (tomorrow’s my day to bring in something for Pie Friday at my office) – I hope they turn out to be as good as they look!

I’m also going to attempt to make a flourless chocolate cake for Jenny, basically because she has ordered me to make her some salted caramel buttercream icing and I need something to put it on! The last time I attempted to make a flourless cake it didn’t turn out so well, but I hope this will be better! I’m planning to make cupcakes with it… do you suppose that would work? I don’t see why not, but really I’m not familiar with anything flourless so what do I know!

Let’s see… what else am I going to make? Oh, I’m going to try these Christmas Peanut Butter Candies from the Lady with the Red Rocker, because I know my grandma likes them (and it’s also gluten free, Jenny!).

And the Red Velvet Whoopie Pies I made last year.

And finally…

I think I’m just going to call it “Really Good Chex Mix,” though.

We’ll see how all this goes – me being in the kitchen generally turns into a rather bloggable event, so stay tuned!

What are you making for the holidays?

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(Another) Giveaway: Win an Overnight Stay at Kalahari Resorts!!

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Bobby & Joshua with the Kalahari mascots, Kya and Kenya

As Emily mentioned last week, we got to take our families to the fabulous Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky, Ohio last weekend.  Emily showcased some of the resort’s features and then gave away a night’s stay, and now it’s my turn to do the same! (Em’s already picked a winner for her giveaway, so check your email!)

I truly loved everything about Kalahari, but what stood out all around was the exceptional customer service we received there. The attendant who helped us when we first pulled up in our vehicle and helped us get our bags in the hotel, waited for us while we checked in, and then made sure we (and our luggage) got safely to our room – was amazing. His name was Jacob, and he didn’t know I was a blogger who was going to write about the stay. He just treated us like any regular guest – and he was perhaps the nicest and most helpful hotel employee I have ever encountered anywhere. A++ on the customer service! So, that was a great way to start out our stay, and everyone else at the resort who helped us over the weekend was also absolutely fabulous. I couldn’t say more about the great service!
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My next favorite part of our stay was the FOOD! And this goes hand-in-hand with customer service as well. Kalahari put out an amazing breakfast spread for all the bloggers and their families. Everything looked scrumptious! Trouble is, I couldn’t eat most of it because I recently found out I am allergic to wheat. I had let them know about my allergy before my arrival, so I knew I’d have something to eat, but I was totally blown away when they brought me out a giant plate of delicious, amazing food just for me – all gluten-free! (Pictured above is my actual plate!) It was SOOOO GOOOD! I ate as much as I possibly could and I was so grateful that they accommodated me – and then some!

Ok, so next up – the water park! Emily already told you how amazing the water park is. It is awesome! And ginormous. And AWESOME!! My kids had a blast, and so did my hubby and I. Check him out catching some waves on the Flow Rider – he did great!

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Another great feature Kalahari has is a giant arcade. They have every game you could ever want to play, including my fave – SKEE BALL! They also have some extra -fun stuff like neon black light mini-golf and mini-bowling.

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Mini-golf in the dark was not any of our strong suits…but it was fun!

We had a BLAST on the bowling!
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Even though Joshua beat us all really badly!
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We were all sad to leave Kalahari when the weekend was over. And we all can’t WAIT to go back! My children are just dee-eye-ing to go back! And I want to go in the warm weather when we can check out all the resort has to offer outdoors  – including a zoo and tons out outdoor water play!

I’m excited to be able to give away the opportunity for one of YOU to have a night at this fabulous resort! 

Here’s the small print:
The voucher will include:
– A one-night stay in a Hut or Desert Style room
– Complimentary Safari Outdoor Adventure Park Passes
– NOT VALID: Friday and Saturdays. Blackout dates include November 21-22, 2012, December 21-January 5, 2013, January 20, 2013, February 17, 2013, March 17-31, 2013, April 1-4, 2013, May 26, 2013, June 23 – August 18, 2013, September 1, 2013, and October 13, 2013. Please call (877) 525-2427 for availability. No cash value, expires 2 years from date of issue.

Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment on this post.
2) Like Kalahari Resorts on Facebook and leave a separate comment here saying you did so.
3) Like Mommin’ It Up on Facebook and leave a separate comment here saying you did so.

One winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, December 19th at 6pm EST.

Even if you don’t win – we’ve got a special deal just for our readers. You can stay at Kalahari Resorts at a REALLY great rate!! Click here to learn more!

I couldn’t have been more impressed by our stay at Kalahari. It’s a great place to take a family getaway!

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Kalahari provided our family with a two-night stay and meals as part of their “Kalahari Kamp Out”  blogger event. All opinions about the resort are my own.

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Bickering

Ah, my lovely children. Pretty cute, don’t ya think?

They are driving me bonkers lately!

First let me say that there is little I love more than seeing them play together or hearing them laugh together.

I just wish those moments came more often, and lasted more than three minutes.

Because they are driving me bonkers with the bickering!

Sam is not blameless in all of this, but at the moment at least, the biggest issue is Kate picking on him. He can’t do anything right! Last night I actually heard her tell him how to swallow his spit in a way she doesn’t find offensive. I have lost count of how many times I have said “Stop terrorizing your brother!” I truly do not know what is so appealing to her about upsetting him.

She might be a sociopath.

Ok that is taking it a little far, but I am seriously at a loss. Is this normal sibling behavior? How can I make it stop? Are they going to get along?

I just want them to love each other, dammit!

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