Chocolate Chip Cookies (with a twist)

Recently we added this tasty recipe for Chocolate Chip Espresso Cookies. If you like mocha flavor (coffee and chocolate) then you will love this.

Printable version of recipe available on our site.

Go here for the recipe!


Be sure to visit our boards to find more cookie recipes or share one of your favorites with our community!


(photo and recipe courtesy of Amanda's Cookin')

Review: City Select by Baby Jogger

Can baby strollers be cool? Take one look at the City Select version by Baby Jogger and you will wonder why you ever asked that question in the first place. Be forewarned, this stroller is a splurge, but somehow it mixes functionality with chic design in a way that actually might inspire you to take your baby out more often! One thing to keep in mind: this is a cruising stroller only and not a jogger.

The City Select has got "quick-fold technology" that makes it fold flat in one super easy step. The best part about this stroller is the fact that it actually allows you to customize the model to fit your family's needs—so it starts as a single capacity but easily expands to a double so no need to buy a second stroller, which will help take some of the sting out of the $499 price tag.

Or maybe it'll make you feel better to know you are carting your kids around in the stroller that is loved by such celebrities as Julia Roberts and Salma Hayek. But good luck finding one—Baby Jogger strollers go quickly and stores are often sold out.

Be sure to visit our section on your baby's first year. You'll find parenting tips, safety tips, and much more.

May newsletter

Our May newsletter has been issued! New crafts and recipes, great for Mother's Day. Check it out!

Click here to see the newsletter

Great Wolf Lodge: Fun in any weather!

Waterparks are all the rage these days. Suite style guest rooms, family friendly entertainment, and full service indoor water fun, what's not to love? Wisconsin Dells, in south-central Wisconsin, has been hailed the "Las Vegas" strip of water parks, hosting a variety of indoor and outdoor slides, rides, and good, clean family fun. 


It doesn't matter if it's the middle of summer or the dead of winter, visiting a water park provides splashing family entertainment all year long. 


See our review of The Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells here.

Save Money and the Environment

We all want to do our part to be eco-conscious but "green" companies often present us with a choice: be Earth-friendly or wallet-friendly... never both. The reality is that prices at the average retailer are just plain lower than at eco-friendly businesses. Until now.

For those of you who shop online (and who doesn't?), there are coupon sites galore. But just in time for Earth Day, two coupon sites, UltimateCoupons.com and Tjoos.com, have introduced a special green section. And with discounts up to 50% off at popular green retailers, shoppers can easily save money while helping save the environment, Be green, save some green-- everyone wins.

Earth Day stands for working together to create change—and online shoppers can make a big impact on the global economy by committing to support environmentally-conscious businesses.

http://www.ultimatecoupons.com/coupons/eco_friendly_coupons.htm
http://www.tjoos.com/Holiday/29/Earth-Day/

Be sure to check out our Earth Day section for crafts, recipes and lots of Earth friendly ideas!

Easter Egg Cake

If you're looking for a last minute idea for dessert for Easter Sunday, try this super easy, fun to decorate Easter Egg Cake!

Printable version available here

Easter Egg Cake

You will need

your favorite box cake, any flavor
yellow and green food coloring
white icing (recipe below)
green, orange, yellow, and pink decorator gel
white decorator frosting
decorating tip
gumdrops
silver non pareils
round cake pans

Note: This cake uses one round cake pan. Therefore, you can make two Easter egg cakes, make a double decker Easter egg cake, or make cupcakes with the remaining batter.

Prepare cake mix as directed. Pour half the prepared batter into round cake pan and bake as directed on box. Allow to cool thoroughly before frosting and decorating.

Prepare the white icing by following the recipe below. When finished, remove 3/4 cup of the frosting to a seperate bowl. Add a two drops of green food coloring to the small bowl and stir until thoroughly mixed. Add three drops of yellow food coloring to the large bowl of white frosting, stir thoroughly.

White Buttercream Icing

16-ounce package confectioners sugar
6 tbsp butter or margarine, softened
3 to 4 tbsp milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

In a medium bowl, with mixer at medium-low speed, beat all ingredients until the icing is smooth and of easy spreading consistency. Add a few drops of red food coloring, 3 for light pink, 6 or so for dark pink.

Prep
When cake is COMPLETELY cooled, cut a straight line, off center, down the cake so that you are removing a rectangular piece from the center of the circle. (See photo) Place rectangle at the bottom of your cake platter, position remaining half circles together to form oval. Place above the rectangle as if sitting on it.

Decorate
Using the green frosting, carefully frost the rectangle. using the yellow frosting, completely cover the "egg". Smoot frosting with a flat cake spreader or a smooth butter knife.

To decorate the cake, simply pipe designs in zig zags, swirls and lines across the cake with decorator gel and decorator frosting. Use non pareils to dot across the cake's surface. Use decorator gels and dot in alternating colors along the decorator frosting piping. Cut the ends off of gumdrops to decorate the top of the cake (see photo). Line gumdrops along the bottom of the green "grass".

You can decorate the egg however you please. Use a different color for the frosting if you prefer. Creativity is the key!

Visit our Easter section for lots of fun crafts and recipes!

New Rides from Radio Flyer

Everyone remembers Radio Flyer, famous for their wonderful red wagons. If you never owned one, chances are you rode in one or pulled one at some point in your life! Well now, Radio Flyer has added to their arsenal of indestructible toys by rolling out the Scoot 2 Skate and the Smooth Rider, ridable toys ranging from age 3 through the tween years.


The Scoot 2 Skate is ideal for younger children who are just learning how to ride a skateboard. There's a removable handle that allows children (ages 3-8) to ride the skateboard like a scooter until they are ready to remove the handle and go it alone!


For older kids, there's the Smooth Rider, a retro-style scooter perfect for kids 9 and up, and it's even strong enough to hold teens, and even a goofball dad if he dares! 


Dominic, my 11 year old, easily glides down the street on the Smooth Rider and really enjoyed trying out this fun new scooter. Out of the box they were simple enough for my kids to put together on their own as well. The Smooth Rider has a folding feature, which came in quite handy when Dominic left it at a friend's house and had to carry it home while riding his bike!


These two new riders are definitely worth a look. More information below:

Radio Flyer Smooth Rider

PRODUCT OVERVIEW: With high performance features and a cool, classic design, the Radio Flyer Smooth Rider scooter is perfect for cruising around town with friends.

Experienced riders will appreciate the ultra-smooth, ultra-comfortable ride delivered by the extra large 170 mm wheels and precision ball bearings. The Smooth Rider also comes equipped with:

1.    Wider and longer deck for easy foot placement

2.    Hand and footbrakes for added control

3.    Classic retro look

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS: 

·      Extra-large 170mm wheels

·      Classically-styled wood deck

·      ABEC-5 high performance ball bearings

·      Hand and foot brakes for added control

·      Adjustable handlebar

·      Foldable handle for easy storage and portability

The Smooth Rider is available at retailers nationwide for the suggested retail price of $99.99.

Radio Flyer Scoot 2 Skate

PRODUCT OVERVIEW:

Aspiring skaters will ride with confidence on the Scoot 2 Skate from Radio Flyer. This beginner skateboard is a 2-in-1 value that offers two ways to ride:   

1.    Scooter mode: teaches kids how to balance and control in scooter mode

2.    Skateboard mode: the handle removes completely allowing full skateboard functionality once riders are ready

The product also has an authentic skateboard look and real skateboard trucks in both riding modes.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

·      2 ways to ride: scooter and skateboard mode

·      Wood deck with non-skid surface on top

·      Cool skateboard graphics underneath deck

·      For ages 3-8 years old

Scoot 2 Skate is available at retailers for a suggested retail price of $39.99