Looking Back--but not too long

2010 is almost over. For us, 2010 was filled with many ups and downs. The downs were very down but the ups were amazing because of the downs! We lost Mommom in December 2009, we moved in Februrary 2010, my parents moved to VA just 10 days after our move. We've seen God's provision in very tangible ways and have been stretched to trust Him in ways we never thought we'd have to.

We spent our summer floating, splashing and enjoying the company of friends in Laughlin, NV. That was a great 3 months!

We started our girl in 2nd grade, promoted a boy to Jr. K and our little guy just has decided in the last three weeks that undies are WAY better than diapers!

Dave is still working and continues to love his job. My love of baking has turned into a cupcake business that is moving forward. We are excited to see how God blesses it in 2011.

All in all, we are blessed. We have our Lord, we have each other and we have an extended family and great friends who love us.

Looking forward to a new year but never forgetting 2010.

Happy New Year!

This must be a record!

The house, all decorated...and it's not December 24th.

Great job Daddy!

Quote of the Day

Mommy: Thank you for going pee-pee on the potty.
Josh: It's my pleasure Mama.

Whoa

Tonight, my son decided to help me fold the laundry. He did it without me asking. He did it with a happy heart. He did it because he said he wanted to help. So once we trucked it all upstairs, got it put away, hopped into his favorite Sponge Bob PJs, I said to him:

Mommy: (with his face in my hands) Zack, thank you so much for helping me with the laundry. For doing it without me asking, and with a happy heart and a smile on your face.
Zack (interrupting): That's a good thing.
Mommy: That's a great thing!
Zack: Whoa (said like a surfer dude from Huntington Beach)

Excitement

This guy:

is super excited about these guys:


Want some?

Contact these guys:

The Sassy Cupcake

Quote of the Day

(after being yelled at by his sister)

Zack: Helllooooo! I have to get on with my life.

And what life would that be exactly? The one where you play wii for hours and hours, or the one that makes you leave your trains scattered all over the house so I can trip on them? Or might it be the one where you make tents with every blanket in the house or the one where you're always asking for a treat (because you ate all your dinner at some point) Maybe it's the one where you're asking if these cupcakes are for someone and how much money are you gonna get for them.

I don't know.

But what I do know is that I'd like to get on with that kind of life. Can we trade?

11 Dozen

Cupcaking has been moving along nicely. My Thanksgiving special seems to have really taken off though! So far, I have 11 dozen pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes to deliver next Wednesday! It's the largest number of cupcakes I've had to bake at one time. It's just a pre-cursor to the 300 cupcakes I have to make for a choir concert on December 2!

Yay for cupcakes! I don't think I'll ever be sick of them.

Food Allergy Update

Today was the day I dusted off my teacher hat, went into my daughter's 2nd grade class and taught a lesson on food allergies. I think the kids had a good time but I think they have a whole new understanding. The kids' eyes were big and the room was silent when I talked about what happens to my daughter when her allergic reaction begins. They also seemed to be super happy that they didn't ever have to have "that great big shot". I demonstrated the epi-pen by using a trainer on the teacher and then she practiced on me. The kids also talked through what they could do to help someone having an allergic reaction.

All in all, I think it was a productive class session and what happened last week will never happen (at least with this class) ever again.

I'd like to thank KidsHealth.org for this great lesson and AllergyKids.com for this very concise "what to do" section of their website.

Now, I'm assembling age appropriate educational materials for the school. I need children's books, lesson plans, and informational sheets for lower and upper grades (K-6) that talk about, educate, and inform children about food allergies. If anyone knows of some materials that would be helpful, please let me know!

Throne Room Singing

My middle son was in the bathroom "doing his business". I'm in the kitchen and I begin to hear this coming from the bathroom:

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain

Then there was a pause (like he couldn't remember the next line). Then I heard this:

Dinah blow your horn.

I think his music teacher would be proud.

Food Allergy Bullies

I'm going to get up on my soap box. Give me some room because I'm going to harp on this and harp on it---HARD!

I'm appalled and so upset. I'm ready to put up my dukes and start my own kind of fight.

Today, my little girl was bullied by 2 boys with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Now, I know to most of you that sounds ridiculous. How on earth can someone be bullied with a simple PB and J sandwich?

Well, kids with peanut and tree nut allergies can.

My daughter suffers from severe food allergies. She is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She doesn't just get hives or an upset stomach. Her throat closes up, her lips and tongue swell and she can't breathe. It only takes about 1 minute. It's called anaphylactic shock. She could die if it's not treated quickly.

These boys thought it would be funny? They wanted to tease her? I'm not sure.

Now to be fair to these 2 boys, I'm certain they didn't understand the severity of their actions (although after the tongue lashing the teacher gave them I'm sure they do now)

But something has to happen. There needs to be some education. A peanut free table at the lunch area isn't enough.

My mission has started. I'm off to help facilitate change.

Watch out. This Mama is armed with pamphlets from Kids With Food Allergies.org and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

Mr. Principal, I'm coming to see you.

Happy Halloween!

Emma's Cherry Angels

My great grandmother loved angel food cake. She would make it and then frost it with maraschino cherry frosting. While my parents have been visiting, my mom and I have been cupcaking and this evening, tried to recreate my great grandmother's signature dessert.


I never tasted my great grandmother's dessert, but my mom (her granddaughter) says that Emma would be proud of these little beauties.
Grandma Brown, these cupcakes are for you!

Kissing

I can't believe I'm even writing about this. My son is 4 1/2. Why on earth would I need to be breaching this subject with him?

I don't know why, but we are. In the last 2 days, I've had 2 moms come to me and tell me that my son was kissing their daughters.

Really? Really?

I don't even know what to say.

My boy doesn't go around kissing people (or does he!?) He is pretty affectionate at home. But it always seems to be with Mommy and Daddy not his sister or brother.

Seems it always starts with some sort of pretend play. House mostly. He's always the Daddy and the girl is either the Mommy or the baby. It's hard to determine why kissing enters the picture. The real story is somewhere between his story and the little girl's story. I wish there was a way to know exactly.

Then there's the task of explaining why kissing isn't appropriate. Yeah, that's really easy. As he's crying uncontrollably because he thinks he's in trouble. He doesn't want to talk about it! He says he doesn't want to get in trouble! He says that the kissing didn't start with him but with "her". (I wouldn't blame the girls at all...he IS darn cute!)

This is just the beginning of things to come. I'm not looking forward to Jr. High.

Girls, my boy is off limits. He's my sweetie. He's saving his kisses for his Mommy.
Son, girls are off limits. The girls are saving their kisses for their Daddies.

Let's keep our lips to ourselves...can we please?

Cupcake Poll

The Sassy Cupcake OC is getting ready to launch a "Flavor of the Week" special! This means that our minimum of 3 dozen does not apply! It's your lucky day (or week!) Each Monday, The Sassy Cupcake OC will announce the flavor of the week. You'll have until Thursday at noon to place your order. Deliveries (within 5 miles) will be made on Friday. Arrangements for pick up can be made when you contact us.
So take our poll and let us know what flavors you'd like to see offered!

Leave your choice in the comments section so we can be sure to offer your favorite flavors!

Visit our flavors page for inspiration and if you have a favorite that you don't see listed, let us know that too!

Monsters

Made for my little boy who often acts like a monster.

Money

Today, my son was unusually helpful. He helped without complaining, he completed the job and he asked if there was anything else he could do to help. I don't remember the last time one of my children did that! So, since this was so out of the ordinary and I wanted to make a point, I told him that he'd be rewarded for his helpfulness.

We don't do allowance around here. Household chores are just part of being a part of this family. But every once and a while, a special reward is granted.

So, tonight when the other 2 kids were around, I pulled out my wallet to give my boy a few quarters for his bank. He knew that the reward was for him and was excited to see what he was gonna get.

I handed him 2 quarters for which he was super excited but in the next breath, this conversation began:

Mommy: Thank you so much for being so helpful today.
Zack: Are these monies for me?
Mommy: Yes, they are yours.
Zack: What about green money?
Mommy: What do you mean?
Zack: I can't buy anything with this, I need green money.

I think the "money" reward got lost in translation.

Cupcakes have Moved

Cupcake blogging will now be done on The Sassy Cupcake's blog. So, please take a minute to click here and subscribe to the new home for cupcake blogging.
Today Rootbeer float cupcakes made their appearance in my kitchen. A perfect cupcake for a 95 degree day! Click here to see them!

See you at The Sassy Cupcake!

Healthy Cupcakes

Preschools are getting really picky about snack time these days. I guess it's for the better, but it usually does squelch my cupcake making passion a little. But yesterday my sister and I made these cute little cupcake muffins for LZ's preschool class on Monday. They ended up being really good! Whole Wheat Flour, Bran, Molasses, Banana, Zucchini Cupcake Muffins (We really need to figure out a shorter name for these). Now because they weren't very sweet, we added a little dollup of vanilla creme frosting. I hope the teacher doesn't think they look too cute to be healthy! They were taste tested by 5 little munchkins and they gobbled them up.

I think we have a winner.

(PS, the little red candy sprinkle is an apple. The theme for the week was "school days" so what could be better than "An Apple for the Teacher?"

Pink Champagne

Just a touch of pink, and a bigger touch of champagne make these cupcakes one of the most decadent flavors yet. This is truly a big girl's cupcake.

Here, my little champagne pinkies are paired with some sweet cannoli cupcakes. Don't they look cute together?

Since I just opened the bottle of champagne, I think I'll go pour myself a glass.

Cupcake of the Month!

The first special of the month is making it's debut and what better cupcake to start out with than The Signature Cupcake!
Sassy Cupcakes!
You can order 1 box (1 doz) of these sassy beauties for $20. They will be delivered (5 mile delivery radius) on Saturday Sept 25 or we can arrange pickup! Place your order by Wednesday September 22. To place your order, please email amy at amyv at mac dot com or leave a comment in the comment section!

Cannoli Cupcakes

Experimenting can be fun...especially if it yields great results! Today, I debuted cannoli cupcakes in my kitchen. I'm not a big fan of cannoli, but I could quickly become a fan of these!

These 20 were dropped off with a friend. 20 of them still remain in my kitchen. Wonder how long they'll last???

Firsts

School has started. We have a second grader and Jr. K kid this year. Time sure does fly.

I'm not sure where the summer went but in a weeks time we somehow have found ourselves right back where we left off in June. Although, the smiles are brighter, there is anticipation and excitement as we load the car and head off to school. Our Jr. K kid didn't shed one tear or have one sad look as I left him in his class (which is a FEAT!) Our second grader loves to be dropped off at school this year, rather than having Mommy wait with her until the door opens. Our kids are growing up and there seems to be nothing that can stop it!

Pictures that Show Better

My friend Vertigo B told me that I should learn to use my camera to get some really great shots of my cupcakes. So, today I decided to take her advice. What do you think?

And this

Sassy Cupcakes anyone?

The Signature Cupcake

Orange County just got a little sassier. The signature cupcake of The Sassy Cupcake made her debut in my kitchen today. Oh wow is all I can say. The 14 I took to school pick up were devoured by children and adults alike. I heard words like "divine" and "I'm in hog heaven" (she must have been watching The Dukes of Hazzard on CMT this past weekend)
So far, they are my favorite. So much for Lindora. I totally blew it today.

But it was totally worth it.

Rocking Chairs

Today, the rocking chair was moved. Not just moved to another wall or to the other side of the room. It was removed from my boys' room.
I walk into my boys' room and I get weepy. There are no baby things left. No rocking chair, no changing table or bed rails. Instead what's left are my 2 boys, rough housing and rolling all over the floor, laughing and giggling and chasing each other everywhere. I'm left with 100 wooden trains (that thankfully still get played with) and a bag of wooden blocks and a gazillion puzzle pieces. I'm also left with 2 boys who are ROCKING OUT to Rob Biagi

That makes me smile through my weepy no baby left tears.

Cherry Icee Cupcakes

My son requested cupcakes and icees for his birthday party. I indulged and combined the request.

Third Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Little Joshy! I can't believe you're 3 today. What a big little man you've become. We love you!

Random Summer Photos

Thumbs up to the first roller coaster ride!

Josh watching his brother and sister going down the big slide

Seaport Village with my Little Hawaiian Boy

Prizes won at the Fair

The Family

My water babies

My best friend Melissa and her husband on vacation with us in Laughlin, NV.

Gabby the cupcake tester extraordinaire!

Zack's first trip to the dentist. No cavities!

Cinnamon Bun Cupcakes

You can eat cupcakes anytime...even for breakfast. Especially when they are Cinnamon Bun Cupcakes with Maple Vanilla Bean Frosting. Add a cup of coffee and you've got a perfect start to your morning!

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

It's 100 degrees outside, 74 degrees inside. It's a raspberry lemonade cupcake kind of day.

Pancake Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Pancake Cupcakes with Maple Frosting and Bacon Sprinkles. Need I say more? Oh Yum!

Smores

It's too hot for a campfire so to squelch my longing, smores cupcakes it is.

Pink Lemonade

When the world gives you lemons you should make lemonade. That's what they say, right?

I say, when it's 100+ degrees outside and your kids can't stand to be out to play, make pink lemonade cupcakes instead!

The Sassy Cupcake

Ok, so the cat is out of the bag. We are moving forward! The Sassy Cupcake is coming to Southern California! It's going to be a wild ride complete with bags and bags and bags of powdered sugar, sprinkles and dollops of icing! We are looking to launch the end of January.
I am looking for a commercial kitchen to rent from time to time. Does anyone have connections? Know someone who could help me? I'm not looking for a monthly rental. Just on an as needed basis. I'm willing to barter or trade to keep costs down.

So to wet your appetite, here's a sneak peek of some cupcakes coming to a party near you!




Who wants on the list for an invite to the launch party?