CAMPING FUN

Yesterday I shared with you the decorations for Camp Trinity.  Today, I wanted to show you the fun we had over the weekend stay.

We rented a cabin at the KOA camp ground in Chula Vista CA.  It was about 2 hours from where we live.  So, of course, everyone was hungry before we got there.

We stopped to have lunch at Sam's Pizza.  The pizza was super BIG and it was one of the best pizzas I've ever had.

After lunch, we went straight to our cabin.  It was so nice!  Much better then I expected it to be.

We quickly unpacked, everyone claimed where they were going to sleep and then the girls changed to go swimming.

All of the girls are like fish and could stay in the pool all weekend.  But, there was to much fun to be had and after a few hours, it was time to get out.

While the girls were swimming, I hung out at the cabin and got the decorations up.  The girls were thrilled when they walked inside.

After they took a shower and changed their clothes, it was time to go on a scavenger hunt. 

They worked in teams and tried to find everything on the list. Some items were easy to find and some were harder.

It turned out to be a close call on who won.  The team that returned back to the cabin first only lost because they were not able to bring back everything they should have.

But, no one was really a loser.  Everyone got a treat.

Speaking of treats, the girls took trail mix and water with them on their hunt.  Then they came back and chowed down on chips, candy and soda.

They decided it was time to open presents.  It was fun to see what everyone got Trinity.  They had fun laughing at some of the things and oohing and awing over other gifts.

I think it's so cute how the girls were just as excited to give Trinity her gifts as she was to get them.  Each girl had her picture taken with the birthday girl.

She got some lovely things and was grateful for everything she got.

It was then time to go rent bikes.  They had some crazy ones to pick from.

They all took turns trying out all the bikes.  Heck, I could not pass these up myself.  So, even I got on and had some fun.

It was fun watching them trying to race and listening to the them laughing.

This camp ground was a great place for kids.  They had so much to do.  They had a park that the girls wanted to play at for a little while after riding bikes.

I can't get over how well they all got along.  Not one disagreement the whole weekend.  They were all perfect!  Which made it nice for me and my sister.

After playing and getting tons of exercise all day, they were one hungry crew.  So we went back to the cabin and had a BBQ!  We ate outside.

It was super yummy.  Something about cooking and eating outside seems to make everything taste so much better.

It got dark outside so, we built a fire to warm up.  It sure does get cold out there!  I think they said it was going to be 29 degrees that night.

Rather then bringing a cake, we brought cupcakes that I had made at home.  They were not frosted though.  The girls frosted her own cupcake and decorated it.

Knowing it would be hard to fit 12 candles on Trinity's cupcake, Maureen brought super skinny, curly ones.  They were able to all fit on her cupcake with ease.

We sang Happy Birthday, the girls ate the cupcakes faster then I've ever seen girls eat cupcakes before.

I would have thought they were to full to eat anything else but I was wrong.  They had really worked up an appetite and claimed they still had room for S'Mores.

Even though we were by the fire, it was still very cold.  So, the girls wanted to go inside the cabin to warm up.  They wanted to watch a movie.

When I got inside they were in their pj's all bundled up and snuggling together on one couch enjoying the movie.

I told them to pull out the couch because it turned into a bed.  They were more then happy to have the extra room.  They were then all cozy and warm and watched the movie.

My sister and I went into one of the bedrooms and watched TV in there so the girls could have some alone time.

They ended up talking and giggling until the wee hours of the morning.  Finally, the cabin was quiet and everyone was asleep.

We all got up early, made a big pancake and bacon breakfast.  Then we packed up, cleaned up and hit the road.

 However, even though we left the cabin, the fun was not over.  We didn't have time for the girls to have fun with Silly String and poppers.

We decided rather then not do them, we would stop at a park for a little more fun before we went home.

By the time we were almost home and near the park, Maureen said she thought it would be fun to go to lunch at Farrell's Ice cream shop.

All together the girls yelled out "YA!".  Farrell's is a fun place to bring kids.  They have waiters and waitresses that run around, sing and dance and celebrate birthdays of whoever is having a special day.

We had lunch then of course ice cream sundaes.  YUM!

The last stop was to the park.  The girls all ran around Trinity and started to spray her saying "she was the birthday girl so they had to get her". 

Then it turned into a free for all with everyone spraying each other.

I couldn't help but crack up as I watched them running all around laughing so hard as they got each other.

It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

The girls all said they had the best time and it was the best birthday party they had ever gone to.

That of course put a smile on my face because making sure they all had a good time was the whole goal.

If you missed out on the post showing the decorations, you can find it by clicking here.

I entered this party over at My Insanity.  Can you please go over and vote for this party and help me win :)  Thank you.  Just click here to get there.

CAMPING BIRTHDAY PARTY

 Normally, right after Trinity's birthday party is over, I start planning on the theme for next year.  This year, she kept saying she didn't want a party.  

But, a week before her birthday she changed her mind!  She wanted to rent a cabin and bring just her closest girl friends for a weekend of fun.

There wasn't much time to plan anything but it turned out to be one of the best parties she ever had...her words, not mine.

Since we were going to be in a cabin, CAMP TRINITY seemed the perfect theme.

This was the cabin we rented.  Just seeing where we were going to staying for the weekend thrilled the girls!

As they got closer, they could see signs were hanging on the door.

Two signs were hung up.  One saying "What happens at camp, stays at camp!".  The girls loved this saying and it was said over and over again all weekend long.

The other sign said "Welcome to Camp Trinity!".  This gave them a hint as to what was inside.

As soon as they walked in the room was full of the girls excitement.  They loved what they saw.

A S'More bar was just waiting for the sky to get dark so they could go out by the camp fire and cook marshmallows to place on chocolate and mashed down with gram crackers.

There were "Camp Trinity" chocolate bars and "Camp Trinity" Peanut butter cups.  

I loved using the covers.  It brought the theme more to life.

 Rather then just having marshmallows, we had "Puffy Clouds".

Multi color marshmallows were called "Rainbow bits".

The "Grizzly Bears", better known as cinnamon bears and gummy bears,  were attacked and eaten up quickly.

We planned to have a scavenger hunt and there were "Camp Trinity" Trail Mix bags made up and bottles of water for the girls to take with them.

I wasn't sure how the trail mix would go over since there was so much other candy, chips and junk food (all not shown here) for them to snack on.  But, I was happy, they all grabbed a bag and a bottle of water to take with them and left the other junk food behind...for now.

Since we were going to have a BBQ, the table where they were going to eat, was set up outside.

 There wasn't much room on the table to do decorating so I just kept it very simple.

Since the color theme of the party was green and brown, I just got plain color plates.  I did get them in square shapes to add a bit more interest to the look.

I got some pretty napkins with a left pattern on it to bring in some of the camping theme.

Since it was outside and there was a breeze, the napkins wanted to keep flying away.  To solve that problem, I just put a cute green and white paper straw on top.  It not worked to hold the napkins down but it added another layer of texture and interest to the place settings.

The use of battery candles kept the danger of starting a fire away but still added a flicker glow to the table when it got dark outside.

Some more printable tags were added to the cups to tie in the theme from inside.

I was happy that even though the decorations were kept fairly simple, Trinity loved the theme and all the little details of her party.

You can read about the fun activities we had by clicking here.

THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES

I know that on New Years a lot of people start diets and the last thing they want to read about is yummy cookies.

However, I've been wanting to share these cookies with you for awhile and I didn't make them until yesterday.

Years ago, when I was at work, a girl friend of one my coworkers came in and brought a plate full of these cookies to her boyfriend.  I had never met her before but she started to talk to me and said they came from a recipe her grandmother gave her.

I asked her what they were and she said "The Best Sugar Cookies".  That was the name her grandmother gave her.  After I had one bite, I knew the name fit the cookies 100%.

They are very easy to make and by far are the best Sugar Cookies I've ever had.  They also make about 4 dozen cookies and come out all looking the same. 

You know how some recipes say it makes 4 dozen and then you make them and only get 1/2 that amount unless you make them super tiny.  Well,  these really do make 4 dozen good size cookies.

 
The reason I made these was not really so much for me (but of course I had to eat some).  Our next door neighbor made some homemade tamales before Christmas and brought us some.

I hate to return an empty plate to anyone so, I will return her plate with some of these great cookies to say Thank You.

Can you see the sparkle of the sugar on these?  It's hard to see how pretty they look in a photo. 

So, even if you don't want any cookies right now, go ahead and save this recipe I'm posting below.  You will want to give these a try the next time you are in the mood to bake up some cookies.

THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup oil
2 tsp. vanilla
5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tarter
pinch of salt

Cream butter, sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla together.  In another bowl, sift flour, baking soda, cream of tarter and salt together.  Mix the two bowls together.

Roll into balls.  I use small scoop so they are all the same size.  Roll balls in sugar.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass or mug that is dipped in sugar.

Bake 350 degrees for 10-13 mins.  Only bake until very lightly brown on bottom.  Even if they don't look like they are cooked, they will be.  They finish cooking as they cool.

Remove from cookie sheet onto cooling rack.  As they cool, they will be crisp but not hard.  Just perfect.  Enjoy with big glass of cold milk or hot cup of tea.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas wrapping theme for 2012

This year I went to the Container store and bought the most beautiful angel paper and all the ribbon, tags and stuff to match.  However, when I checked out, I think my heart stopped beating as the price was so high I thought I was going to die.

My friend talked me into taking it back and getting my wrapping supplies some place else.  My heart broke a little as I returned it but I know it was for the best.  Heck, who spends more on the wrapping then they do the actual gift?

So my whole theme was changed.  I went to the stores and couldn't really find anything I loved like I did the paper I returned. 

I settled on a red and silver theme.  We have a lot of red in our decorations so it fit in perfectly.

The photos show that there is a lot of white in the wrapping but it's really all silvers.  Some shinny, some not.

There is a a lot of glitter in both the paper and ribbons.  Though the glitter doesn't really show up either in the photos.

I went with really simple bows this year too.  I've been sick and just wasn't up to spending hours making big bows. 

I had forgot to buy matching tags so I used what we had.  Most had the same color theme so they were fine.

I think they all look pretty as they are all piled up waiting for everyone to open them. 

I want to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!  I hope Santa is good to all of you!

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

Photos with Santa has always been a tradition in my family.  Waiting in the long lines, planning on what to tell Santa to bring, being excited and a little scared at the same time.  After all, Santa sees everything you do.  He sees you when you're sleeping.  He knows when your awake.  He knows if you've been bad or good!

Tradition has gone on for years.  My oldest sister has a darling photo of her and my brother sitting with Santa back in the late 40's.  This photo is of my nephew's daughter who is now 11 years old.

She did not want to have her photo taken.  She said she was to old.  I for one, think you are NEVER to old to sit on Santa's lap. 

I'm sad because this could be the final picture with Santa for many years.  We don't have any more little kids in our family. 

How old do you think is to old for Santa pictures? 

Guess it will be me sitting with Santa next year if I can't get Trinity to do it.  I'm a BIG Santa fan.

GOING CHRISTMAS CAROLING

I remember when I was growing up, it wasn't that rare to have a group come to your front door and when you opened up be greeted with them singing a Christmas song or two.

We would often give them money, cookies or candy as a way to say thank you.  Though it was also ok to just say thank you and let them know how much you enjoyed their short but festive visit.

It's been years and years since we have had anyone come to our house to sing Christmas Carols for us.  I miss those days. 

So, I thought, I couldn't be the only one who enjoyed those days gone by.  I wanted to bring some of that joy to others as well.  I'm a girl scout troop leader and I asked my girls if they wanted to go Caroling this year. 

They were thrilled to.  We went last year and everyone had a blast.

They practiced for weeks and they all had song books that I printed out for them.  Rather then carry burning candles, I got them the battery operated candles.  They worked great as mini flash lights for them too.

The first house we went to, they were a bit nervous and excited.  After they sang the first song, they were fine.

Every house they went to really enjoyed having them stop by.  They would often ask them to wait so they could call the whole family to the door.  Some people joined in singing the songs with the girls. 

It was like the days when I grew up.  The people offered them candy, cookies, something to drink and a few offered cash.  When the girls said no thank you that they were just there to bring some Christmas cheer, most people were happy and thanked the girls over and over. 

One elderly lady said she really wanted to give them some candy to give the girls some Christmas cheer back.  So they accepted.

One house a lady said she wanted to give them money.  The girls kept telling her no thank you and I even told her thank you but no.  We were just out to bring smiles to people and that was all we wanted.

She refused to accept that and said she was a girl scout when she was younger and everyone would give them money.  She said then that if anyone came to her house after she grew up she wanted to do the same thing.  So by taking the money we would be making her dream and goals come to life. 

We all agreed we would accept her donation and put it in our troop account to be used for another fun community service project in the near future.

While we walked around the neighborhood we were able to also get in the Christmas spirit by seeing all the cute and pretty decorations. 

I was really happy that not only did the girls have a fun night but they were able to make some memories for families of having Christmas carolers come to their house.  Maybe now they too will want to keep the tradition alive and go out next year to spread some Christmas cheer to others.

How about you?  Did you ever go door to door caroling?  Do you remember having carolers come sing to you?  I would love to hear from you.