Costco vs. Sam's Club?

So, we used to have a Sam's Club membership.  While I loved it, we let it expire at the end of 2010 because I found I didn't go there as often as I would like.  Plus, I used it mainly to purchase supplies for my business (making wedding and special occasion cakes), and with expecting baby #3 I decided at that point to stop taking any additional orders until 2012.

There is a Costco just down the street from the local Sam's Club.  I've only ever been in Costco twice.  I didn't see much of a difference, but I had kiddos with me both times I went, so I couldn't really compare things.  Anyone had any experience with both of these stores?  Do you think it's worth it to have a membership?  Any tips or tricks to getting good deals at either of these places?  I would probably purchase mostly bulk baking supplies plus some fresh fruits, veggies, etc...

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Dulce de Leche Frosting

I hesitate to post any cake/frosting recipe here, because Beth makes the most amazing cakes! In fact, I am still eating the leftover cake she made for my son's 7th birthday. Not only am I eating the cake, I am trying to prevent it from setting up permanent residence on my thighs.

I roughly calculated how many calories of cake I thought I consumed the other day, which led me to a 7 mile run that night. I'm trying to increase my mileage anyway, so in a way eating the cake was very helpful, right?

For me, running is dependent on good music. I am a huge fan of country music, but when I run my taste in music leans toward more pop, hip hop, sometimes some 80s... Basically my running playlist would be the only thing I need a friend to destroy if something ever happens to me. It's pretty embarrassing...

The bike trail I run on is right near my house, and often it's pretty empty. I love that, but the downside is that sometimes I forget that I am on a public trail and I find myself singing along to my playlist.

Like, for example, the other night while running that cake off, I was listening to Dierks Bentley's new song, "Am I The Only One". And here, I must issue a public apology. To the middle-aged man with his 10ish year old son - Sir, I am very sorry for my loud and off-tune singing. I did not intend to scare you or your son (although I think you were more scared than him based on your protective arm around his shoulders quickly guiding him away from me). I promise, I am not dangerous or crazy. Or, at least not in a cougar kind of way, which is what I think you were worried about. And I sort of can't blame you, considering I was belting out "Am I the only one, who wants to have fun tonight? Is there anybody out there who wants to have a cold beer and kick it til the morning light?" I promise your son is safe, sir. I was just trying to get rid of that cake.

So, what I'm saying, internet, is don't blame me if you make this frosting and you have the same experience.

Don't judge. It could happen to you too.

This recipe is from Joy the Baker. I did make both the cupcake and frosting recipe. The cupcake was pretty good, but the frosting is the real star. I think the next time I make this I will likely choose a different cake recipe. This one seemed to get dry after a day. Maybe someday Beth will share her amazing cinnamon cake recipe. But the frosting, definitely give it a try because it is delicious!

For the dulce de leche, you can buy a can or make your own from sweetened condensed milk. A can will either be in the baking aisle or the hispanic foods section, depending on your grocery store. I made mine and it was really, really delicious. I boiled it right in the can, although later I found that the manufacturer strongly advised against that method because the cans could explode. So, I'll leave it up to you to decide. If you're interested in making it just google and you'll find the method, along with directions for using the microwave too.

Dulce de Leche Frosting: 

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 

8 ounces cream cheese, softened 

3/4 cup dulce de leche 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

2 to 3 cups powdered sugar 

Place cream cheese in the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until very soft. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the butter and dulce de leche. Beat on medium speed until well incorporated. Stop the mixer and add the salt and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until fluffy and lighter in color. Generously spoon frosting on top of cupcakes, or use a large frosting tip to pipe on frosting. Drizzle top with more dulce de leche or sprinkle with cinnamon. Refrigerate leftovers and bring to room temp before serving. 

Source: Joy The Baker

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“If you’re always racing to the next moment…”

Just a reminder that I really needed today!

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Freak OUT!

Ok, so I'm less than 7 days until c-section time!  In fact, there's only 5 days left.  And while I hate being pregnant, I'm starting to freak out a little.

It's not the c-section that's freaking me out...this will be my 3rd, so I kinda know what to expect.  I do have a new doctor this time around, though.  The doctor that delivered both of my boys decided to drop his licensing to deliver babies and is just doing gynecology now, so I had to get a new OB doctor for this pregnancy.  I had my final doctor appointment this morning and was able to schedule it with the doctor that will be doing the c-section on Wednesday, so I feel as comfortable as I think is possible with him.

It's not the recovery that is freaking me out either.  I've never had a regular delivery, but I think that c-section recovery might be a little easier.  I don't know since I can't compare the two, but from talking with friends, I think I had it a little easier than they did!

It's not the fact that we are now going to be entering the world of "pink" either.  It's no secret, I was hoping for boy #3 this time around...just because I know what to expect and they are all so close in age that I thought it would be nice for them.  But, after I found out we are having a girl this time around, I've gotten really excited about the idea.  Baby boy stuff is cute, but baby girl things are ADORABLE! In fact, the first thing I purchased for the baby this time was a couple of hair bows from my friend's Etsy Shop, Morgie Porgie Ribbon Works!

It's not that I don't have everything ready to go.  I mean, there are probably a few things that I'll need to run out to the store to purchase that I haven't thought of now.  But, the nursery is ready, I have diapers and I have a few containers of formula just in case.  So I have the eat, sleep, and poop things ready...'cause really that's all they do for a while :)

It's not even the fact that I'm going to be completely outnumbered now.  As a few of my friends have pointed out, I'm already outnumbered all day while my husband is at work...what's one more?  The boys have been playing really well together lately and Tyler has started doing "quiet time" in his room for 30 minutes or so while Ryan naps, so I typically get a little bit of a break.

I'm really not sure what it is that is freaking me out.  It's probably just the pregnancy hormones and there's nothing I can really do about that until after this baby is born...sigh.

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Countdown!

So, this is the final full week before baby girl arrives!  I've been creating a to-do list to make sure I get all the last-minute things done.  None of them are necessary, but all of them would be helpful to have finished before I try and manage life with 3 kiddos!

Last weekend, we took a train ride to mark one thing off my list (do something memorable during our final weeks as a family of 4).  Lesley took some maternity photos a few weeks ago as well...though I hate how big my belly is, this is the last baby and wanted a few shots of the kids with "baby sister" in my belly.  We've also been hitting the pool a lot because taking 3 kids is going to be a lot harder and it's been so hot here that it's pretty much the only place I can stand being outside without swelling up like a balloon!

Here's the remainder of my list:


This Week:
-clean kids bathroom
-clean our bathroom
-clean 1/2 bath
-mop kitchen
-shampoo living room carpet
-re-organize kids closets
-organize garage
-organize/clean basement
-Finish gifts for the boys from baby sister
-Birth Announcements?

Next Week:
-change sheets on all beds
-clean & arrange carseats in van
-pack hospital bag
-touch up bathrooms and kitchen
-all laundry
-move chair/changing table to baby room
-setup pack-n-play in dining room
-Abby (our miniature schnauzer) - bath and haircut


Any other suggestions of fun/important/necessary things to accomplish in the next SEVEN days?!

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Translation, please!

Tyler (our almost 4 year old) has been saying some funny things lately and I thought I would put them down along with the translation to help us remember them.  Oh, and just in case you ever need help translating what a 2 or 3 year old is saying, this list might come in handy for you as well....

Said to daddy: "Are your tail noses pink?"
Translation: "Are you toe nails pink?" because he just watched me paint my toes.

Said to mommy: "Can you see my crack butt?"
Translation: "Can you see my butt crack?" because he has no butt and I have to constantly tell him to pull his pants up.

Said to both of us:  "Can we go to the yellow eater?"
Translation: "Can we eat lunch at Subway?" because there is a subway on our way to church and he decided he wanted to eat there for some reason.

Said in the car: "I want to eat at the circle res-er-naught"
Translation: "I want to eat at Burger King" because obviously BK is the only place with a circle logo.

Said to his brother: "I'm a yogurt!"
Translation: "I'm an Ogre" because he just watched a Shrek video :)

Said to anyone who will listen:  "I farted on my tongue!" while giggling...
Translation: "I burped" and because he's a boy, this is absolutely hilarious :)

Said to daddy: "I wanna play wee-wee."
Translation: "I want to play wii" but pretty embarrassing when he says this in public!

Said in the car: "I want to go to candyland."
Translation: "I want to go to Kings Island" because we drive by it on the way to the doctors appointments.

Said to both of us: "Nylart"
Us: "Tyler, what does nylart mean?"
Tyler: "Boinkies and Roxie Rocks"
Translation:  Who knows!

I love this kid!  He constantly makes life interesting!

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Three Favorite Websites

I'm sure at this point, you all think I do nothing but spend time on the Internet.  Not true, but after the kids go to sleep I do always spend at least an hour, sometimes two.  I've heard people say "what in the world could he/she possibly be doing on the internet?", but for me it's more of a "I can't go to bed because there is so much to see".  I've already talked about how much I love pinterest, and I spend lots of time looking at recipes and cooking websites.  I also sometimes read blogs about parenting, decorating, and photography.  I have way too many favorite blogs and websites to share, but I thought I'd showcase 3. 

First, google reader.  We've mentioned this one before.  Beth and I both use google reader.  It is just a way to keep all of the blogs you read in one central place and see new posts to those blogs without going to each individual website and checking.  You set up a google reader account/page and then add subscriptions (website or blog addresses) to it.  After that you log in and read new posts.  Here's what it looks like.  Make sure you add our blog!! :)

Another website I've been spending lots of time on is houzz.com.  This is a website with tons of different home pictures.  Very useful for me right now, as we are planning on breaking ground on our new house within the next couple of weeks.  I am decorating challenged, so I've been saving all kinds of pictures to pinterest from this website.

And finally, this one isn't so much a favorite website as something I think all moms should be introduced to.  It is The Flylady.  In a nutshell, this is one woman who has a method of cleaning her house that she shares on her website.  The website itself is, in my opinion, a little hard to navigate and understand.  But the method is great.  She has certain chores she does daily, some she does weekly, and some she does monthly.  I think her method needs to be adjusted to your own needs (I'm not really into her "shine your sink" idea), but if you take the time to read her strategies I think it can really help you develop your own system. flylady.com

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