{Sweets} A Birthday & Back to School

While cleaning out my pantry yesterday, I came across a strawberry cake mix that I had long forgotten about. I also happened to have some cream cheese icing on hand, so Dean and I decided to make cupcakes. I've been feeling blue about going back to work and cupcakes make everything better, so down to work we got.

At first, I figured I'd practice a swirl icing method for Maura's birthday on some of the cupcakes.

I was inspired by this cake -- isn't it gorgeous? Clearly I need more practice with the swirls, and they will never be as fabulous as the ones in the picture, but I'm not a professional cake decorater so no worries.


Then, I thought I'd show a little back to school spirit with the remaining cupcakes. I showed the completed "masterpieces" to my husband and asked if he knew what they were supposed to be. He had no idea, even after multiple hints. Ummm....apples....duh! See the worm....geez! Guess they were a fail -- pretty bad actually ;-}

For some "real" back to school inspiration, check out my Teacher's Pet pinboard on Pinterest!

**Well, back to work for me tomorrow bright and early. So very thankful to have had 12 weeks off from work -- it was truly the best summer of my life.
**Ahhh....what a beautiful Labor Day weekend it was at the Jersey shore. I didn't want to leave -- I'm not ready to face the reality that awaits me this morning. I never will be. I don't mean to complain -- I'm grateful for my job and have loved being a teacher for the last 12 years. That will never change...BUT...what has changed is the little 27-pound, curly-haired cutie that smiles at me each morning when I walk into his nursery to hug and kiss his sweet skin before starting our day together. Together....sigh. It's not as if I won't see him or get to spend time with him because I am working, but it's not enough time for me. It's a hard job being a stay at home mom as I experienced first hand this summer, BUT it's harder to be a working mom {for me}.
**Always hoping and praying that one day in the future I am able to say that I no longer have the back to school gitters on Labor Day night ;-}

{Sweets} Rainbow Yum

My little kitchen assistant helped me yesterday as we made rainbow pudding pops. One last summer treat that we made together...sigh....


Happy boy :-}

These were so ridiculously easy to make. Just divide your pudding into 5 different bowls and add food coloring to each for your colors of the rainbow. Then layer a little of each color into your popsicle mold and put into freezer. Easy peasy.

Wouldn't these be an adorable addition to a rainbow, little artist, or even a St. Patty's Day party? I think so too ;-}

If you haven't already taken a peek at my Rainbowy Fun pinboard on Pinterest, check it out here for some "colorful" party ideas!

**TGIF & enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

{Sweets} Banana Cream Pie Minis

My hubby loves banana cream pie -- he requests it anytime I make dessert. I had planned on making "banana cream pie minis" for Father's Day, but I never got around to it {one too many glasses of wine the night before may have had something to do with it -- ooops ;-}.

Now that I'm a stay-at-home mama for the summer {YAY -- loving every second of it!}, I have a little more time, and made these minis for my hubby the other night. Super easy and a fairly low-fat treat!

Ingredients:
~ 1 box vanilla pudding
~ 1 tub fat free coolwhip
~ Nilla wafers
~ Banana, sliced
~ Stemless wine glass {or any other glass -- wine, martini, etc}
** Optional** Chopped candy pieces {Baby Ruth, Snickers, etc}

Directions:
1. Prepare pudding according to directions on box.
2. Layer bottom of glass with pudding. Next add some coolwhip.
3. Arrange Nilla wafers around inside perimeter of glass.
4. Add another layer of pudding & coolwhip.
5. Arrange bananas around inside perimeter of glass.
6. If room, do another layer of pudding & coolwhip, making sure coolwhip is your last layer {you can throw some more bananas in there too -- I did!}.
7. Add one last Nilla wafer on top for garnish & chopped candy pieces if desired.
**Makes approximately 6 minis**
8. Serve & enjoy!

**I had some leftover pudding, so I made Dean some old-school pudding pops with some popsicle molds I bought from Target's dollar bins ;-}
**I posted a super easy banana cream pie recipe a looonnnggg time ago -- check it out if you'd rather make a whole pie instead of the minis.
**While we're on the subject, if you're a fan of bananas, you might be interested in my cute banana splits too -- they are a great summer treat!