Candy Cane Cake

Kaitlyn wanted to make a "Christmas Cake" today. One of our favorite flavors is chocolate mint, and so I thought I'd try out making a chocolate mint cake. I just used a chocolate cake mix and added 2 tsp of "peppermint extract". You can also add some crushed candy canes. For the shape, I just baked the cake mix in an 8" square pan and an 8" round pan. Click on the picture below to get the details on how to make the shape.

I also added 1 tsp peppermint extract to the white frosting I made to give it a candy cane flavor as well. It was delicious and fun to make!!

Sarah's homemade Basketball hoop

Sarah and Alan have been learning to play basketball at school. Sarah told me before church today that she loves basketball, and that she wants to be a basketball player when she grows up. She then proceeded to build herself a basketball hoop out of some of the PVC pipe that I let the kids play with. Here's a picture of her "hoop". She also decided to use one of the giant soft blocks I made a few years ago as a the "ball". I think Santa knows what to bring her now.

YAY!!

Tom is finally home. We're so happy. It's Christmas early with him home now. I don't mind if I get no other presents this year. Just to have him back is enough. He's going to take the next 3 weeks off of work. We're all so excited. Each of the kids are going to have a special "Daddy and me Day". They all missed him so much. He's a super hero in our house right now. And now, after two months, I think I might be able to relax.