While He Was Napping

momma gets stuff done

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How to Create Absolutely Scrumptious Marbled Cupcakes

Baby N had his first birthday on Monday.  I’m not sure exactly what happened to the previous year, but the calendar says that it has passed.  It’s been a fun year, for the most part, and my little baby is much more a boy than a baby now.  And this we had to celebrate.  Grandma and Grandpa even flew in to meet Baby N for the first time!  We definitely needed a celebration and what better way than with some incredibly cute and (beyond super) easy marbled cupcakes?!  These are incredibly easy and the results turn out great.  While I enjoy making cakes, I’m not terribly skilled at it.  These were perfect!  I decorated the tops with monkeys and palm/banana trees; which turned out really cute, but I’ll show you that later this week.

 

HOW TO CREATE MARBLED CUPCAKES

Zebra Stripe Marbled Cupcakes

Print This Recipe
Marbled Cupcakes

Prep time: 

Cook time: 

Total time: 

Serves: 2 dozen cupcakes

Super simple White Chocolate Marbled cupcakes that are the perfect level of sweetness and visually awesome.
Ingredients
  • 1½ c white sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2¼ c white flour
  • 1¼ c milk
  • ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • 4 tbs cocoa powder (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Cream sugar and butter with a mixer.
  3. Beat in eggs.
  4. Add vanilla.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking powder
  6. Add to creamed mixture. Mix well.
  7. Stir in milk until batter is smooth.
  8. Split batter in half and add the cocoa to one of the bowls. Mix well.


  9. Line cupcake pans with liners.
  10. Place a dollop of white batter in each cupcake liner with a spoon. It doesn't have to cover the entire bottom of the liner.
  11. Put a dollop of chocolate batter in on top of and next to the white batter in each liner.
  12. Repeat until the liners are ¾ full.
  13. Turn the preheated oven down to 325F and bake for 20-25 mins
Notes
Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.

 

Don’t forget to check out how to make cute monkeys and palm trees to decorate your cupcakes!  It’s super easy and anyone can do it!

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Simplify Your Life With the Spring Cleaning Declutter Checklist

Has clutter come into your home since the holidays?  I know my house has seen an influx of “stuff”, and in completely honesty, my house wasn’t super clean before the holidays.  This year I am trying to focus more and be more productive.  But we are clutter keepers and it’s something I struggle with.  While it doesn’t create mental chaos, I hate having clutter all over and I hate being disorganized.  It makes it harder to focus!  If I was actually a quarter as organized as most people think I am, I would be so much better off.  Now, we don’t belong on an episode of Hoarders (unless you go in my bedroom, it’s the catch-all) and our home isn’t disgusting, but it absolutely is cluttered.  We have more stuff than we have room for.  And it is driving me CRAZY!  No one likes it when Momma goes cray-cray!

 

So I will be doing a 30 Day Declutter here on While He Was Napping starting the middle of the month or so.  However, if you’re antsy to do your own decluttering, you should hop on over to this post and print off your own Declutter Checklist.  It’s got a lot of the commonly overlooked areas, so you don’t forget anywhere and keep thinking “where the heck is all this stuff coming from?!”

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Obviously, decluttering isn’t a do it once and be done deal.  At least not at my house.  Stuff is always rotating – you just have to make sure your coming in ratio is equal to or smaller than the going out.  A big part of my problem is that I get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.  The checklist has it all broken down by room.  Do you have 10 minutes?  Find an area that will take about that long and start there.  Some times it’s the little stuff that counts.  You may have a mountain of laundry on your bed, but the dishes are put away.  Give credit when it’s due and know that Ms. Scarlett O’Hare was so very right when she said “After all, tomorrow is another day.”

 

GET YOUR DECLUTTER CHECKLIST HERE

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My Baby Will Soon Be Gone

Dear Baby N,

Your dad had to go to work early this morning, so I was up early too.  It gave me time to think.  And I thought about you.  It’s fitting since this time last year, I was so eagerly awaiting your arrival.  You were more than three weeks early, but I was ready to hold you in my arms.  As I watched you sleeping this morning – as you had been all night long, by the way – I thought about last March and how our family was forever altered in the best way possible.  As your little chest moved up and down with each breath, it was a little like you were exhaling your babyhood and inhaling this new adventurous little boy.  It hit me how fast you are growing up, how quickly my baby is leaving, that my baby will soon be gone.  It made me a little sad.  I have tried to be as present as possible and to enjoy each little phase of this first year; I hope I haven’t missed anything.  But it also made me hopeful for the amazing little boy and, eventually, man that you can be.  I’m not wishing away time, as it will pass quickly enough, but I can’t wait to see the awesome things I know you will do and the things you will teach me.  Parenting is funny like that.  I often wonder if I’m not actually the student in this scenario.

Baby #3

I am so glad you are a part of our family and my education.  You have taught me things your brothers haven’t.  One of the things I love most about you is that, like Dr. Suess says, “… you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”  Sometimes we get caught up in a comparison game and, I’ll admit, I’ve compared you to your brothers many times.  Those two always seem to be trying to one-up each other, but not you.  You’re content to move along at your own pace and in your own time.  You’ve taken the expectations I’ve gained from them and completely turned them upside down.  And I am so grateful for that.  You remind me just how unique and individual all three of my boys are.  I love your little independent spirit.  You love to feed yourself and try new foods.  You are determined and stubborn, which isn’t surprising and has only mildly frustrated me thus far.  Like when you insisted on standing on the bench at church yesterday.  You are always happy and ready with a smile, even lately while you’ve been trying to cut those teeth.  You have brightened so many of my days.  You are so laid back and easy going, and while you’re becoming more mischievous every day, you are a wonderful little guy.  You’ve finally found your sleep groove and average 6-8 hours at a time at night.  This has been a Godsend and I am so thankful you figured this out earlier than your brothers did.  You are not like them at all, just you’re just like them too.  In a nutshell, my Baby N, you are amazing, you are you, and I love you.  Don’t ever change the things that make you my Baby N.  And I promise I won’t always call you “baby”.  At least not out loud.

One Month Stats

 

So, my sweet boy, while you try to master walking, when those teeth finally do come in and through each milestone that takes my baby further away, remember that I am here and will always love you.  I love watching you grow and become a boy, even if that means losing my sleepy little baby.  I want you to go out and have adventures, explore the world and learn new things.  Be brave and conquer your fears.  But, please know that it’s okay to need your mommy sometimes, too.  I know I still need you.  Happy Birthday, sweet boy; I love you.

Messy Birthday Baby

Love,

Momma

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Springtime Activities Boredom Buster Jar Printable

What’s your weather been like lately? Is it finally warming up or are you still covered in snow? We’ve had pretty mild weather recently and have been doing some fun springtime activities. Now, we have a storm forecast for this weekend, yuck. Ah, but that’s what the winter boredom buster jar was for, right? If you’re expecting sunshine instead, I’ve got a spring boredom buster jar for you! It’s full of fun springtime activities that – shhh, don’t tell the kids – will help them learn a little too!

Printable Springtime Activities Boredom Buster Jar

 

SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES BOREDOM BUSTER JAR

Printable Springtime Activities Boredom Buster Jar

There are 10 springtime activities in this printable set. I tried to make the activities ones that older kiddos could enjoy too.  They are also a little more educational-based than the last boredom buster jar. Don’t worry though, it’s all pretty basic stuff and it’s still fun. Promise.

MAKING YOUR OWN SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES BOREDOM BUSTER JAR

Links below may be affiliate links. This means I will receive a small percentage of any purchase made though the link. Your cost is not changed in any way and your support helps me keep this site running. Thank you!

Materials:
– Plastic bottle
– Dirt/soil (here’s a whole terrarium kit on amazon if you don’t want to piece it together)
– Pebbles
– Seeds
– White flowers
– Food coloring
– Dishwashing Soap
– Glycerin (get glycerin on amazon)
– Unflavored gelatin (get unflavored gelatin on amazon)
– Silicone molds (find lots of fun silicone molds on amazon)
– Jars
– Skittles
– Empty egg carton

You can gather these items and have them ready when you are so you can get in and do the project right away, or you can make gathering the items part of your activity. There’s a few more items required, but they are common and you probably have them on hand right now.

Make sure you click over and download the file at the link below so you get both pages. Don’t just right click and save as on this one. You’ll be missing part of it!  Have fun!

GET YOUR SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES
PRINTABLE BOREDOM BUSTER JAR!

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The Best Triple Chocolate Thin Mint Brownie Pie

Are you a lover of all things Girl Scout Cookie? I know I sure am! And with Girl Scout cookie season upon us, now is the time to stock up the freezer with your favorites. I’m definitely guilty of eating right out of the package, but this Triple Chocolate Thin Mint Brownie Pie is to die for!

So, get your order in and save a box of Thin Mints for this delectable dessert. Your local little pig-tailed Girl Scouts will thank you. And so will your taste buds! Seize the brownie pie, my friend!

 

Triple Chocolate Thin Mint Brownie Pie

 

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE THIN MINT BROWNIE PIE WHEN IT’S NOT GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SEASON?

I love supporting our local girl scout troops, but I’m the first to admit that $5 a box is a bit steep for my budget. I stock up what I can, but when our freezer stash is out, we head to Wal-Mart when we’re jonesing for some Thin Mint cookies. The Great Value Fudge Mint cookies are a sufficient substitute.

And at less than half the price, it’s okay to use nearly a whole package in a Thin Mint Brownie Pie and not feel guilty. At least about the cost. The calories might be a different story. But, sometimes you just got have a little bit of heaven.

Because this pie is a little bit of heaven.

 

A PI PLATE AS AMAZING AS TRIPLE CHOCOLATE THIN MINT BROWNIE PIE

The best pie deserves an amazing pie plate, right? One that cooks evenly, makes your dessert look fantastic and if you get the coolest mathematical surprise when you start to serve that piece of heaven, all the better right? This awesome Pi Plate is my go to for all pies – the dinner and dessert variety. You can check these out on Etsy or even order your own custom design. Perfect for holidays, special occasions and gifts too!

Thin Mint Brownie Pie in Pi Plate

 

SERVE A TRIPLE CHOCOLATE THIN MINT BROWNIE PIE TREAT EVERYONE WILL RAVE ABOUT

My favorite thing about this pie is how insanely easy it is to put together a decadent dessert that people will think you slaved over! In less than an hour, you will have dessert ready to wow your dinner guests without spending your afternoon rolling doughs, mixing batters and waiting on bake times. Put Triple Chocolate Thin Mont Brownie Pie on your dessert plan today!

Girl Scout Thin Mint Brownie Pie

Yield: 12 pieces

The Best Triple Chocolate Thin Mint Brownie Pie

Girl Scout Thin Mint Brownie Pie

Take your thin mint cookie obsession and kick it into overload with this amazing triple chocolate thin mint brownie pie that takes less than an hour to whip up!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box brownie mix
  • Ingredients required for your brownie mix, typically includes: 1 egg, 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup oil. I use 1/4 cup oil and 1/4 cup applesauce to make them a little less oily and unhealthy. But these are triple chocolate brownies... you might not be too concerned about the calories.
  • 1/3 cup chocolate syrup
  • 1 package Thin Mint Cookies

Instructions

Preheat the oven as directed on the back of the brownie mix box.

Mix up the brownies as per the instructions on the back of the box. Substitiute half the oil with applesauce for a less oily brownie.

Pour half the batter into the bottom of a lightly-greased 8-inch pie plate.

Put down a layer of mint cookies.

Pour the chocolate syrup on top of the cookies and spread with a spatula to evenly cover the cookies.

Pour the rest of the batter on top of the syrup and gently shake the pan to level out the batter.

Bake as directed on the brownie box or until a toothpick inserted into the pie comes out clean.

Cool, slice and serve with a scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 558Total Fat: 25.9gSaturated Fat: 10.4gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 357mgCarbohydrates: 81.6gFiber: 2gSugar: 21.4gProtein: 4.3g
© Krista
Category: Dessert

Looking for a dinner pie that will rock your dinner table? Check out this Chicken Pot Pie with crust so flaky and delicious, leftovers will be no problem. Or, for a busy week night, check out this Chicken Pot Pie Casserole option – ready in 30 minutes!

 

 

 

 

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