Wimpy Kid Cakes

The new Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie - Dog Days - comes out on August 3rd. And, it just so happens that Gus, our own Diary-of-a-Wimpy-Kid-lovin'-kid, turns eleven on August 6th. 


So, I think we're going to celebrate by taking a group of rowdy boys to the movies this weekend, have a sleepover, and maybe enjoy some of these Wimpy Kid Cakes.


Here's the super-simple, step-by-step instructions if you wanna make your own. No baking necessary. Just some assembly required. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Hostess Sno Balls

Peppermint lozenges (Mentos would work too)

Mini marshmallows

Black licorice ropes

Black candy beads

Melted white chocolate candy coating

Step 1: Using a knife, poke a slit in the top of the Sno Ball. Insert three, 1-inch pieces of black licorice ropes.

Step 2: Melt 2 ounces of white chocolate candy melt in the microwave for 45 seconds. Put it in a ziplock baggie and cut off the tip. Using dollops of the candy melt, attach the candy beads for eyes, mini marshmallows for the nose, and pieces of 1-inch black licorice for the mouth.

Step 3: Poke slits in both sides of the Sno Ball with a knife and fill with more candy melt. Stick the peppermint lozenges in the ear slots and allow them to dry and attach firmly.

I'm just guessing that Gus will want to put on his old costume this weekend too.

Acrobat Cat

This is what happens at the Denneler house when there's a camera, an acrobatic cat and time to kill.

Awwwwww, shuttlecocks!

We took a mini vacation to Kansas City this week. (And by mini, I mean less than 30 hours.) Our kids just aren't great "vacationers." They hate shopping. They don't like to go to restaurants. And none of us enjoy the heat. So there you go.


We mostly wanted to go to KC to check out the new Legoland and SeaLife Aquarium at Crown Center. Lovely attractions for families with kids 10 and under. I recommend both. However, they were quite crowded. Like, REALLY crowded. I expected that though, since they just opened in May and it's the peak of summer travel season. Lesson learned. 


We stayed at the Crown Center Sheraton which was, unfortunately, under major renovation. We could barely find the lobby. But they put us in a nice room on the 36th floor with a great view of the city. And we got to swim outside in the hotel pool, under the moonlight. 

Here are some snapshots of our 30-hour excursion. My favorite is the last photo of Bea, literally melting on the grass in front of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Gus trying to pick her up. Poor girl, it was 105 degrees, she was exhausted, and her mom just wanted to take a family picture with the giant shuttlecocks. (Needless to say, moments after this, we headed home.)

View from our room on the 36th floor.

Bea only packed 6 stuffed animals to bring on the trip. 
Oh, and then, somehow, we acquired two more.

I want a doorway like this in my house. Someday. ;)

The KC Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium made out of Legos. Too cool.

I think Gus could have camped here for a week. That boy loves his Legos.

Build your Lego car and then race it.

Gus and I waiting, patiently, in a very long & hot line for SeaLife.

 

Bea's favorite: the puffer fish.

Sharks & stingrays, oh my!

My friend, Paula, joined us at the aquarium for some spiny-fish fun.

This is Bea saying "my feet are tired" for probably the 78th time that day.

Thanks to David & Paula, we enjoyed great burgers & great company on the Plaza.

My family collapsed on a couch at Anthropologie while I got to shop for 8 1/2 minutes.

I bet Eric could build one of these for our front yard.
Better yet, I bet I could bake one of these.

Bea melted under the 105-degree sun. Vacation over.

Tequila Lime Pie Shooters with Candy Worms

It's National Tequila Day! I have to admit, I'm not a huge Tequila fan, but I do enjoy a good margarita.

Here's a frozen dessert pie recipe I mixed up for SheKnows to celebrate the occasion. Believe it or not, I created it based on the little "worm" at the bottom of the bottle. 

Eeeeewwww, gross! I know. But my worm is a dessert version, of course. Just a simple lemon Tootsie Roll, dusted in cocoa powder. Looks real, doesn't it?

Garnish your Tequila Lime Pie Shooters with these silly critters crawling up the spoons, and you'll entertain your friends and your tastebuds at the same time.