Chocolate and peanut butter birds nests

We've been doing lots of Easter craft and baking this week but I wanted to share this one first because it's not too late to make some tomorrow for your loved ones. We didn't buy any of the grandparents or cousins Easter eggs this year, we made everything instead. Much more personal and so..... much yummier.

These easter baskets or birds nests are always very popular and they look great too. Plus they're super easy to make and the kids love getting involved. Well for Cooper it's more because he loves licking the spoon. And what kid wouldn't? I even like licking the spoon with this recipe.

Now keep in mind I actually double this recipe because I wanted to make a big batch as we were using them as gifts. Plus I use half milk and half dark chocolate melts because I think it tastes a lot nicer.

Ingredients:
200g cooking chocolate melts
1 pkt Chang's crunchy noodles
4 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

Method:
Microwave the chocolate in a heat proof bowl for 20 second intervals until it melts.

Stir in the peanut butter and add crunchy noodles and stir until its all coated in chocolate.



Spoon the mixture into patty cases and mould into birds nests with the ends of two teaspoons. Refrigerate until set.



For these ones we made them smaller for the kids and used peanut m&m's instead of Easter eggs.

Here's the after shot. They only need about half an hour in the fridge to set.




I couldn't find the speckled eggs at my local supermarket this year so we used white chocolate eggs instead. I think they turned out ok.




We also did a few with the wrappers left on for some colour.




As I said earlier we actually doubled the batch and it made about 20 baskets, small and large. Here are a few of our combinations on how we decorated them.




Now I just have to hurry up and hand them out to everyone because they're way too tempting to have sitting in my fridge. For me and the kids.

Enjoy!

I've linked this post to Sweet as Sugar Cookies. I've never done this before so let's see if it works.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Let's test this baby

I think I may have found a way to upload photos to my blog using my trusty iPad and it didn't even take that much research. It's just a simple app called BlogPress. Why hadn't I thought about this before? I am still blown away with some of the things we can do with computers and the technology that is available to us. Now I just sound like an old fuddy duddy who's only recently discovered the humble pc. But to think I only got my first laptop 3 1/2 years ago as prior to that, the good old home computer did just fine. And to think I'm now posting on my blog via my iPad is pretty funky. I think I'm addicted to gadgets. First it was the iPhone which completely took over my life and consumed my time when I first got it, now the iPad. And don't worry I'm not rushing out to buy the latest iPad 2 just because its the latest thing. I don't think I'm that bad, or am I? And yet this year I wanted to get back to basics and simplify my life. Hmmm maybe next year? But I guess I am simplifying things because if this BlogPress really does work it's magic and posts this photo for me, well then it's pretty 'simple' isn't it?

Okay let's test this baby.




Do you like my new glasses? I thought it was about time I ditched my 10 year old wire frames which I was to embarrassed to wear and get something slightly less geeky. And yes I've changed the colour of my hair yet again. My hair has had so many changes this last year. I think it's decided to have a 3rd life crisis along with me. In fact I think I might even dedicate an entire blog post just to my hair. Well only if this magic photo thingy works.

Edited with a big woohoo. It worked. See nice and simple. The other thing I'm slightly obsessed with at the moment is editing all my photos with these cool looking filters using apps like Instagram and Hipstamatic. It's all very exciting. And to think what I'll be capable of once I get my new camera and actually go and do this photography course I'm contemplating. New career maybe?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

School holidays and Easter craft

Well it's official my big boy has finished his first term of school. Holidays are here and I'm so excited to have him home. I've got so much planned and I'm really looking forward to spending lots of quality time together. I just hope the weather is nice to us. Although even if it's not I've stocked up on enough craft supplies to last weeks. Plus I have lots of Easter goodies I want to make with the boys. We have already done a few exciting things which I will be able to share with you once I either figure out how to post my personal photos from my iPad or get my laptop fixed, whichever comes first.



For those who have a printer at home check these out http://www.stylemegorgeous.com.au/store/pc/colour-in-d7.htm

I can't wait to share our Easter craft and baking with you but I'm also after some more ideas so please feel free to share.

Blake goes to kindy tomorrow so Cooper and I are off to the movies. I'm not sure Blake would sit still enough for a movie at a cinema yet but I'm already feeling guilty that he's missing out.

10 things I'm grateful for

It's been a really tough week for me. The pain, frustration, restriction and anxiety that comes with having this chronic back pain is really taking it's toll but as usual I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. There is always someone that has it worse right? Only one more month until I see the Neurosurgeon so possibly only two more months until surgery.

So today I'm actually feeling very grateful for the things in my life. Trying to focus on the positive in such dark days.

I am grateful for-

1. Having two darling little boys who give me the nicest 'rub rubs' and understand that Mummy isn't her usual self at the moment so I can't do as much as I used to with them but are equally as happy to do craft and playdoh so that Mummy can sit and watch.
2. My amazing parents who have helped me out so much the last six months and even more so the last few I just couldn't do it without them.
3. Having lovely friends who make me meals to freeze because they know that standing at the kitchen bench for longer than ten minutes at the moment is a massive task or walk my son from my car up to his classroom because those stairs just about kill me.
4. My amazing friend who even though he lives thousands of miles away gives me the most amazing emotional support and always knows the right things to say to pick me up.
5. Fresh flowers that brighten my day.
6. The boys father who without question or hesitation steps up whenever I've needed him to these last few months.
7. This week discovering the magical Liquid Chlorophyll which even though I've only been taking it for three days has made me feel wonderful already and hopefully giving my liver some relief from these dreadful pain killers.
8. Prunes, need I say more.
9. Having the best physio I've yet to find. Did I mention he's super cute oh and the brother of a famous Gold Coast sports person.
10. The blogging world. It's been my best friend on the days that I cannot get out of bed. I love disappearing in to other peoples lives and reading everyones stories. It makes me laugh and cry and is a great distraction.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Something to think about

Watch your thoughts; they become words,
Watch your words; they become actions,
Watch your actions; they become habits,
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Naughty blogger

It's been far too long and I've got lots of excuses why I've been a slack blogger. None of which I'm sure you care to hear about. But basically I've been super busy with life and unfortunately my blog has been on the back burner.

Lots has happened since I last posted so here is a quick run down (excuse the bullet points but I'd be here all night if I wrote everything out in full detail)

- Cooper started prep and has taken to it like a fish to water and is loving his little class. He loves his teacher and has made some lovely friends. He is so enthusiastic and has never said that he doesn't want to go. He has even asked on the odd weekend why he can't go to school on a Saturday. It's very encouraging because I was a little worried about him starting school this year.
- We also moved house since I've last blogged. It was all very hectic as all moves usually are but apart from a few small hiccups it all went well. The boys have adjusted well to having two different houses and L and I are making it as easy on them as possible. Things are very amicable which makes it a lot easier for everyone involved. I'm slowly making our new place 'home'
- Since January my back has become increasingly worse so I've been down the road of chiropractors, physios, acupuncturists, spinal surgeons, neurosurgeons and I've had further testing including CT scans and finally an MRI which showed up the full extent of my injury which unfortunately isn't good news. So as you can imagine I've had a very painful few months with plenty of tears shed. But at least now I have some answers. It looks like I'm definitely going to need surgery which I'm not that keen on but it's gotten that bad I now see no other way. I actually went down the path of steroid injections which I had yesterday trying to possibly delay surgery as long as I can. Fingers crossed it gives me some relief. And you never know I may just experience a miracle and I might not need the surgery.
- Blake now goes to kindy three days a week and is loving it. His teacher is fantastic and loves seeing Nanna every day when she makes his lunch for him. I was supposed to start back at work once the boys started back at kindy/school which is why I booked Blake in for three days but between the move and also my back it has yet to happen which is really disappointing because I was really looking forward to it. So I guess I'll just have to see where things are after surgery with my back otherwise I might wind up studying after all.
- I just got back from a fantastic five days in Perth, Western Australia. I've never been to WA so it was very exciting for me. Although the five hour flight wasn't that exciting. It's strange flying 5 odd hours and still being in the same country. I met 5 of my nearest and best friends over there for a long weekend filled with fun, adventure and lots of late nights and laughs. I'll update with some photos soon. We stayed right on the harbor at Fremantle. It was stunning. It was so nice to see a sunset over the water. Perfect.

So I think that's it from me. I'm sure there is heaps more to tell you but I promise to be a more regular blogger from now on.

Big boy school

My darling first born started school this week. I think Mummy is still in denial. Where have these last four and a half years gone? How did that happen? Surely I'm not old enough to have a school aged child. See I told you I'm in denial.

Cooper was so excited about starting school and we've been discussing it for months now so the anticipation has been massive. I think I was more nervous than he was but he started prep with his little friend who he has known since he was a newborn which eased the nerves a lot knowing he had someone there who he knew.

We were very organised the weekend before making sure he had everything he needed including his cool new shoes, bag and his fancy personalised library bag. We washed and ironed his sparkly new bright blue and red uniform and labelled everything right down to his floppy red hat. We spent the weekend baking goods for his lunchbox.



Cooper was up nice and early and you could tell he was slightly nervous complaining of a funny feeling in his tummy but he was dressed and ready to walk out the door at 6.30am. To say that he was eager is an understatement.

He was so excited when he saw his little friend Cassie pull up behind us on the first day. Don't they just look adorable.



So the first week of school is over and we have survived. It really wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. He is loving the learning environment and also making lots of new friends and his teacher seems to be a really lovely lady and Cooper has taken to her really well.

It wasn't only Cooper who learnt new things this week. I learnt lots too. Like make sure you're at the school at least 20 minutes earlier than every other parent to score a decent carpark. Keep sandwiches simple and don't experiment with fancy toppings like Turkey, Cheese and Cranberry when 'plain honey sandwiches are just fine thanks Mum'. I also learnt that I'm going to need to keep a diary just for Cooper's school regime. He has come home with loads of paperwork and activities just in his first week and I'm finding it a tad overwhelming. Oh and I also learnt that grass stains are very hard to get out of his school shorts. Damn fancy fabric.

Too cool for school

SEQ Floods

I have been glued to the television all morning watching this horrifying disaster unfold. It's just so tragic. I cannot imagine how many lives have been affected and are still to be affected as the flood levels rise. When you hear stories about parents that couldn't hold on to their babies as they got swept away from their homes it really hits home and makes your heart break for these poor people. It certainly puts things in to perspective about what you might be going through in your own life.

I have a friend, actually several friends who have been evacuated from the Brisbane CBD today but once particular friend who is still stuck in horrific traffic just trying to leave the city before the river rises too much.

I feel so helpless and we're only up the road as such from all of this devastation.

There are lots of ways to donate, you can donate money via here- http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

I know of many local people who are taking donations for the kids, things such as toys, clothing, shoes, school supplies, books etc. If you're on the Gold Coast please contact me and I can forward you the details of a collection spot.

The sad thing is unfortunately it's only going to get worse as the days go on.

Please keep these people in your thoughts and give if you can.

Farewell 2010

Good riddance to 2010 I say.



It was definitely a testing year for me. But I truly believe it has made me a stronger and much wiser person and I have so much to look forward to in 2011 and I'm feeling very positive and excited about it. My big almost 5 year old is starting school this year and that alone is exciting but also very nerve racking and scary. It's definitely going to be a year of massive changes for my little family.

With the hype and craziness of Christmas and New Years over it's time to start thinking about the new year and what lies ahead.

Cooper is all ready for school. Uniforms are bought, new shoes are ready to be worn, his school bag is bought. All we need to do now is get his book list finalised and find some school socks that aren't two sizes to big. Cooper has the worlds smallest feet for a 4 1/2 year old . I think he's put his uniform on about 10 times since he's had it. He is very excited about starting school. We are actually really lucky because his little friend Cassie from my original mothers group who Cooper has known from birth is also going to the same school. And they are lucky enough to be in the same class as well which us really nice to know. I think it's quite reassuring for them both to know there is someone they know going to be there for them.

Here are some photos of what was our Christmas and New Years.

My 'famous' rocky road which this year I made in to a xmas wreath. I was pretty happy with how it turned out actually.



Twas the night before Christmas and 'Santa' had already been and left the presents and and ate his milk and cookies that the boys had left him. Plus of course the reindeers enjoyed their carrots.




Christmas morning excitement



Blake and his cousin Jasper loving their new camping chairs



Cooper enthralled in his new racing car game

Merry Christmas everyone

Gosh it's almost been a month since i've posted. Goes to show how busy i've been.
It's been a hectic few weeks but it's also been a lot of fun for the kids. We've had so much happening and I can't believe the big fat man in the red suit comes in 4 more sleeps. The kids are super excited. They're old enough to appreciate Christmas this year, although not old enough to appreciate the meaning of Christmas. All they care about is the presents, food and chocolate. And the fact that Mum is actually letting them eat naughty things and stay up later than normal.

Just a quick update of some photos from the past few weeks.

We spent a lovely morning at the Carrara markets and the kids had a blast. Cooper has always wanted to go on one of those bungee tramps so I finally gave in and Blake was in his element with all the baby animals.





The wreath I made, well half made. I bought a basic wreath and added the berries and baubles. It was my attempt at trying to be artistic, massive fail.



The cookies in a jar that I made for the kids kindy teachers



The boys had a wonderful time at their kindy xmas party. Check out Santa, that's actually my Dad. Cooper realised straight away and we spent most of the time gagging him as he was telling everyone 'that Santa is my Pappy'




Nanna and the boys



Cooper's crafty creations. He made this gorgeous butterfly to hang on the tree as well as an angel made out of pasta, so adorable.




And the boys all ready and excited for their kindy Christmas concert.



Sorry for the photo heavy post but that's just a quick catch up on everything we've been doing these last few weeks. My stress levels have been at a maximum high but i'm actually quite organised this year. Every present is wrapped and I haven't left anything to the last minute. I just hope my boys are able to appreciate some of the meaning of Christmas this year. Hmmm well maybe next year when they're a little older.

I read this yesterday and I really like it and wanted to share.

“Love is what you hear on Christmas morning,
When you stop opening presents and listen.” anon

So from the boys and I, I wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas and here's to a terrific 2011. It better bloody be because this year was not the nicest.