Check out a Dad's blog!

A friend of mine just started a blog - it's from his perspective as a dad! Check it out here : Canadian Dad!

Rosette iced cake

I have seen this cake floating around the internet since last spring. The first and 2nd times I encountered it was on a web forum I frequent, from 2 different posters.  I have since seen it crop up on some other blogs as well - and it was something that I wanted to try.

Yesterday, I was craving chocolate cake, so I decided that I would make this recipe (I have linked to the recipe directly, but I actually found it on another blog - you can check it out here, she has lots of great ideas!)
I have made this a few times in the past, for a get together I was hosting, my MIL's birthday cake, and Kyle's birthday cupcakes - it is really quite simple to make, and it tastes DELICIOUS!

I then prepared my bag, I painted stripes inside the bag with my gel colour to create a streaky look on the icing, as I didn't want a solid colour, and then I filled my piping bag with my white buttercream.

Then, I piped out rosettes on the side, and then the top. I filled in with swoops of the same streaky icing, and this is my finished product.  I am pretty pleased with it - it's kinda messy - as I was working quickly to avoid a 4yr olds help.... so from the time I started piping to finishing, was about 5 minutes (give or take a bit).  Next time, I know that if I take my time it will come out much more finished looking , and I will be able to fill in the open spots too.!

Now, onto pictures - please don't mind the fact that the cake was cut into before pictures were taken.... I could not remember where I had placed the camera.....

Top of Cake

the icing colour effect I was aiming for

Date night with my Big Little Man

Julien's school hosted a movie night last night - they showed Kung Fu Panda 2 in the gym.  It was free (well, it cost a donation to the food cupboard - I had a half pack of unopened diapers that Kyle has outgrown, and a couple boxes of lipton soup/kraft dinner that we brought with us).  They did have refreshments for a small fee $1.50 for a small bag of kernels popcorn, and $0.50 for a juice box.

They had some yoga mats on the floor, and lots of people brought sleeping bags/pillows/blankets. I happened to run into my best friend, who was their with her sister and niece, so we were able to sit together!

It was an enjoyable way to spend a date night with my guy!

crazy crying woman at the grocery store - that was me

So this has been a week of bad news....it's been rough.  I was at the grocery store this morning, and the song "dance with my father again" by Luther Vandros, came on .... it had me near tears. Well, i had tears, but I was able to blink them away.

For those of you that don't know, my Father died when I was a teenager - so that song is dear to my heart - and while I really like the song, it can be hard for me to listen to.

rough week

Have you ever heard the saying the bad things happen in 3's? Over the weekend, I found out that a highschool classmate of mine had died in a snowmobile accident; yesterday, I was told that a co-worker of mine and his wife lost their baby; so now I am waiting to hear of another death.

My thoughts and prayers go out to both the families, and I can only wish that they can find some way to work through their grief.

I need help - tips, advice...

My oldest has never liked to have his hair washed. As an infant, I dreaded bath time because I knew it would be met with screams that would last for a long time afterwards.

As he got older, he did outgrow his hatred of the tub - but not his fear of having his hair washed. He hates water on his face/head/hair.  Up until recently, I have been able to convince him to let me wash his hair (it would take some cajoling, but I got it done) however - recently I can't even convince him to let me near him . I have tried using the removable shower head, a cup of water, a container; I have given him a cloth to put over his face, lean back, lie back whatever I can think of with no positive outcome.

This week, he had food stuck in his hair (thanks to a younger brother that likes to grab and pull with messy hands) and Iwasn't able to convince him - so i pretty much had to hold him against the wall of the shower while I threw water on his head. I didn't evne get shampoo in his hair, just water - enough to get out the dried on food......

Help me please....any advice would be wonderful

spending time with the kiddo's

My new year's resolution this year is to take time with my children. I am pretty much a SAHM, so you would think I have lots of time with them...and I do. BUT - I am trying to get the laundry done, meals cooked, clothes put away, beds made, kitchen tidied up etc etc.

My goal for this year is to focus on my children more; no more saying "give me 10 minutes to do xyz".  I have known for a long time that my oldest needs lots of 1-1 time. If he doesn't get it, he starts to go wild and act out. If I just take the time with him to play the game he wants to play, then I can often get 30 minutes to do what needs to be done.

However, if I try to get my stuff done and put him off for 30 minutes, it doesn't work - and we both end up frustrated and as much as I hate to admit, I lose my patience.

What are your New Years resolutions - do you even make them?