Another Winter Weekend: One Sentence Per Photo

February 10, 2019February 11, 2019 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

It was another weekend at home in Cleveland. ‘Burb life with two kids in the winter is definitely something to get used to, but I think we’re in a groove with finding things to do, being productive and having fun. Here’s a look at our weekend, one-sentence-per-photo style.

FW helped us with some cleaning.

I did some baking (these are chickpea blondies!).

We joined every other parent of a toddler and baby and got drinks with friends at the new market hall nearby.

And takeout sushi was a must.

Post-bath snuggles are some of my favorite things.

I had a reunion with some friends from my Downtown Cleveland Alliance City Ambassador days.

We had dinner at my in-laws house; it’s almost my niece’s 11th birthday!

And that’s a wrap. Hope you have a good week! Happy Monday!

Adventures in Babysitting

August 18, 2014August 18, 2014 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / Leave a comment

This weekend outside of running and having a BBQ with B’s softball team, we also got a chance to stay in and have a sleepover. That’s right, we had a sleepover with our niece and nephew. It was great!

How did we keep two kids, 6 and under, content and happy in our small apartment?

We started off with some Candyland (okay, confession – this was still at their house).

Then followed up with some playing with money. No photo of the money games, but seriously – those kids love handling money.

Then, we headed to the river to watch some boats. And pick up pizza!

Can’t handle the cuteness in this photo.

Post-pizza it was time for ice cream and a movie. And a fort! We made a fort in our living room to watch the Parent Trap under.

Ice cream!

Oh, and we also baked cookies. Because what kids don’t like making cookies? And we all know that I do.

The cookies came out great!

In the morning, we actually had to wake the kids up. Guess we tired them out? But don’t worry – they were cool with it when we made pancakes and bacon. I haven’t made pancakes in probably a million years (don’t ask, but I don’t like pancakes … so I hardly make them. I’m much more of an eggs girl than pancakes or waffles) but they came out pretty awesome. And cute!

They were pretty excited for their pancakes.

B liked his pancakes too

So babysitting was a success! I got to enjoy all the things I like (baking, ice cream, movies etc.) as did B (pancakes, pizza).

Some questions for you:

Sweet or savory for breakfast? Do you enjoy pancakes, french toast, waffles, etc.? I’m much more a savory breakfast gal. I love me some egg whites or running eggs!
Favorite ice cream flavors? I had an amazing balsamic strawberry vanilla twist this weekend. And B’s mom made some mango ice cream that I loved! Yes, it’s not my typical Heath Bar Crunch but they were yummy!
What’s your favorite way to keep kids entertained when you babysit? Or any secret activities that seem to keep your own kids content? Money seemed to do the trick. Those kids loved money!

Baking with Sofia: Confetti m&m Sugar Cookies

June 18, 2013June 18, 2013 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / Leave a comment

As you may remember, B and I recently babysat our niece and nephew. They spent the night at our downtown apartment and were in awe of everything downtown – from the trolley to the lake – which made for a fun sleepover.

What else made for a fun sleepover? I had a baking buddy! That’s right, Sofia and I baked cookies together. She was an awesome helper – helping sort through m&ms (to find the non-crushed ones for me), helping pour sugar, and also even helping to shape the dough! Oliver tried to help – but he ended up just eating lots of m&ms. Oh well, there’s still time for him to learn!

We ended up making some fun colored m&m sugar cookies. Sofia and I decided that with the crushed up AND full candies they looked like confetti – and confetti m&m sugar cookies were born! Here you go. I highly recommend you bake them with your favorite niece/nephew or baking buddy!

confetti m&m sugar cookies | I Crashed The Web

Confetti m&m Sugar Cookies

Here’s what you need:

½ c butter
½ c shortening
½ c granulated sugar
½ c powdered sugar
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 ½ c m&ms (1 c crushed, ½ c whole)
½ c white chocolate chips
½ c any of your other favorite candy (crushed, optional)

Here’s what you do:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets or spray with a nonstick spray like butter flavored Pam!
Take about 1 c. of M&Ms and crush them. I tried using my blender but that didn’t work so I put them in a bag and smashed them with a meat mallet. Very good way to beat the stress! Set aside the ½ c remaining M&Ms and keep whole.
Sift the flour, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar together in a large bowl and set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream together butter, shortening, white sugar and confectioners’ sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and the vanilla.
Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and blend.
Add in crushed m&ms, whole m&ms, white chocolate chips and your other favorite candy. I know, it’s hard to choose just one. I crushed a few Butterfinger bars (this time in the blender) for my other candy.
Shape dough into rounded tablespoon-sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool, then enjoy!