Kali Crocker

A couple of weeks ago, Kalissa's Christmas present from Uncle Felcie arrived.  In the box was an Easy Bake Oven and then a few days later, additional bake mixes came.   Let the nostalgia begin!  I remember my Easy Bake Oven....my brothers, Uncle Felcie included, and I used to eat the cake mixes before I even had a chance to bake the goods!  *lol*

Kalissa was over the moon when she saw her present.  She couldn't wait to get started with baking.  Finally, last weekend she and Daddy cooked up a batch of cupcakes and she did a wonderful job with it all.  So this weekend, Kali and I whipped up another dessert.  I set out her choices and she chose...

the moon cakes!  So first, she mixed the chocolate Devil's Food cake mix and poured the batter into the little cupcake tin.

Next, she put the cake into the oven and baked it for 10 looooong minutes *lol* Luckily, there was a chocolate spoon to lick to get her mind off of the wait!  Then, she mixed up the frosting.

After the cupcakes cooled, it was time for the fun part.....FROSTING!!!!!

She was sooooooo proud of her creation and she was especially excited that I let her use a kiddie knife.  *lol*  It's the little things I guess....

Lastly, she had to sample her product.  She ate it so fast that I didn't have a chance to get a picture of it!

Just a mouth full of dessert and her licking her fingers!  *lol*



I can't even blame her though, I had one (okay, 2!) and they were delicious!  She had such a great time that she wanted to bake more of course.  Maybe cooking will be her passion.  I can see it now --

Kalissa's Culinary Creations

Yes, that's got a nice ring to it!

Free at Last, Free at Last!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday, Kali's class learned about what MLK stood for -- broken down in such a way that 3 to 4 year olds can understand. After school last week, she came home with the above picture so I asked her who was in the picture. This is what she told me:

Mommy, that is Martin King, Jr. and he had a dream about toys. Because the little kids couldn't play together and he said THAT'S NOT FAIR! So now all the little kids can play together and hold hands. Because my skin is dark and Daddy's skin is dark and your skin is light and it's okay.

*LOL* *LOL* Gotta love her!!! Last week I had a rough week because I took her to school when she had a fever TWICE the week before, and it turns out she was fighting off an ear infection (her very first one) and lost. I hated that I had to drop her at school instead of staying home with her like the good old days. But when she comes home so full of knowledge at her young age, I am glad that she has to go to preschool! I think a part-time schedule would be ideal for us but since that's not possible right now, I will relish in all that she is learning and tell myself it's all worth it. I would have never ever thought to teach a 3.5 year old about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. just like I wouldn't have thought to teach her about the Presidential election. Well, it's a good thing no one is paying me to decide how much her little brain can handle!!

Happy New Year!

Here it is, the 11th day of January 2013 and I am just now getting to write a post about bringing it in!  The 31st of December is also Daddy's and my wedding anniversary so we brought the New Year in extra special. Oma came over to watch Kali while we hit the town.  First up was a most delicious dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse in La Jolla where we enjoyed great conversation and an even better meal.  The meal and service was so wonderful that when the astronomical bill came, all we could do was laugh!  *lol*  I think we learned our lesson about ordering the "specials" that the server tells you about (minus the price)  versus seeing something on a menu with the price next to it!  *lol* 

After dinner, we headed to the Woods' home to bring in the New Year with our closest friends.  We had a great time dancing and playing games. 

Awwwww I stiiiiiillll got it!  *lol*  After the New Year officially rang in, we played it safe and stayed the night exactly where we were. 

I can't believe another year has gone by.  So many things happened in 2012 and Kalissa is growing up so fast!  I took a look back at her pictures over the last year.  I'm amazed at how mature she has become and how big she is getting. Memory Lane...

Jan:         Feb:
Mar:       Apr: 
May:      June: 
July:                        Aug: 
Sep:         Oct:

Nov:        Dec:

Yes, 2012 was a great year and we are excited for all things to come in 2013!!