Cars Cake

We had a 3rd birthday party around here a few weeks ago.

Walter picked out the theme this year 

and he wanted Lightning McQueen!

So like always, I printed a coloring page off the internet

and got started on his cake.

First, I traced the outline of the car onto the cake.

 Then, I filled in the outline of the car with some red sparkle gel,

 and worked on adding tires,

and details.

  Once the borders were on,

and the happy birthday message was in place,

this was the finished product!

It turned out pretty cute.

Party photos coming soon :)

Chocolate Peanut Butter no-bake Dessert

I pinned this awhile ago because I thought it looked divine.

Guess what? It was.
The recipe called for a layer of crushed up peanut butter cups,
but I thought it would be better plain,
so I left them out.
Here's how I did it -
To make the crust, grab some Oreos, butter, and a 9 x 9 inch pan.

I just dumped the Oreos in a sandwich bag and smashed them up.

Then I threw the crushed cookies into the pan,

and forked it all flat with the butter until it looked like this.

I admit, it was the total lazy girl way to make the crust,
but it worked great!
Next up - the peanut buttery layer.

 

Blend up some peanut butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.

Spoon in a tub of cool whip,

before layering it on top of the cookie crust.

Then grab some chocolate pudding, milk, and powdered sugar,

blend that up,

and toss in another tub of cool whip.

Spoon that layer on top of the peanut butter layer,

and smooth it out over the top.

Then toss a few more crushed up Oreos on top and chill that baby.

It was another crowd pleaser.

Easy to make and no oven required!

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-bake Dessert

20 Oreo cookies, divided

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided

2(8 oz.)tubs of cool whip

1 cup cold milk

1 package instant chocolate pudding mix

Crush 16 cookies and toss with the butter. Press into an ungreased 9-inch square dish and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in one 8 ounce tub of cool whip. Spread over crust. In another large bowl, beat the milk, pudding mix, and remaining powdered sugar on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold in remaining tub of cool whip. Spread over peanut butter cups. Crush remaining cookies and sprinkle over the top. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.

Do You Have Any Idea How Difficult it is . . .

to get one good picture with my baby girl?

 

She's the busiest little thing you've ever seen.

A non-stop

mover and shaker.

So full of energy,

 and independence,

 that it's pretty much impossible

 to get her to sit still 

 for one nice photo with mom.

  But it does happen -

every once in awhile!

My First Tri

Earlier this summer a friend talked me into doing a triathlon.

I figured, I already bike and run,

what's a swim thrown in?

Just kidding - I was scared and am a terrible swimmer,

but since I've always wanted to try a tri,

I signed up for the Average Joe Triathlon in Perham, Minnesota.

 This is the peaceful lake we swam 1/3 of a mile in 

- out to the second buoy and back.

And this is my cheering section:

Walter, my niece Katilyn, and Ruby.

Here is Lisa  - my partner in crime . . . or more likely in pain.

 

I gave Walter a squeeze before I jumped in the lake 

- in case I didn't make it back out. ha ha.

 I went out in the second wave -

and pretty much ran as far out into the lake as I could touch 

to preserve energy.

Eventually though, we were all out there swimming.

 Walt and my dad waited patiently for me on shore.

 And as people starting finishing the swim, 

Walter & Kaitlyn were there on the dock looking for me. 

 I usually refrain from posting terrible pictures of myself,

but my face here says it all.

 The swim was exhausting!

But there was no time to worry about that,

I had survived and now needed to get on my bike.

I wasn't too familiar with the process and all the gear, 

so my transition times weren't great.

But I finally got everything on and was ready to ride for 12 miles.

 

 My fans were sitting right here

 when I rode back in about 46 minutes later.

 I dropped off my bike and headed out for a 3.8 mile run.

 The kids busied themselves playing while I was biking and running.

 They had plenty of time to get their feet dirty 

since speed is not my thing.

 It was hot and I was low on energy, 

but I ran the whole way

 and as I was coming up to the finish line,

I had some little hands to high five!

I was hoping to finish in under two hours 

and I made it in 1 hour and 50 minutes!

It was a great challenge and I'm so glad Lisa talked me into it.

I might even do it again next summer!