Easy Silly Face Cupcakes

 Today my daughter turns 11 years old.  I can't believe it.  Where has the time gone?  She's all grown up now!  Yesterday, well more like last night, she asked if she could take cupcakes to school.  For some reason, the thought just didn't cross my mind this year.  It was about 9:30pm when she asked me this.  What's a mom to do?  Well, scavenge the pantry of course!

This took me a few hours to complete.  But, I was also distracted.  As it was late at night, I was playing around on the computer and didn't keep track of time.  But, there was about 10 minutes of prepping, 40 minutes of baking (24 cupcakes--but only 12 at a time).  Then an hour to cool down.  Another 20 minutes for an idea to pop into my head.  And about 30 minutes to make it happen.

So here's what I came up with!  Not too bad for last minute baking and only using what I had on hand.  Keeping going for "instructions" for these fun cupcakes kids of all ages are bound to love!

Materials Needed--
Cake Mix (plus whatever the box says you need for making the cake)
Frosting (duh, right? lol)
Cupcake liners
Food Coloring (if you have white cake or white frosting) (don't use chocolate for this, it won't look as fun)
Mini M&Ms
Regular M&Ms
Colorful licorice twists (you can use just red, I happened to have "fun size" multicolored twists)
Clean scissors or knife (I have scissors I use ONLY for this type of stuff)
Frosting spreader/knife/thingy (what IS that thing called?)
Mini Oreos

Bake your cupcakes according to package directions.  If you have white cake mix, add some food coloring first.  This is totally optional.  I just think colored cupcakes are more fun.  Plus, it's for a birthday!  (well, mine are at least)

 Frost your cupcakes.  If you hold your spreader kinda at an angle and swirl around the cupcake, it gives it a better finish.  Hard to explain.  Have the bottom edge of the spreader on the edge of the cupcake.  It helps to evenly distribute the frosting.  Then add your oreo cookies as shown below.

**If you're like me and don't want to waste half a cookie just because it doesn't have "filling" on it, find a way to use that half.  You could smear on some white frosting for a background.  Or leave it without a background and move on to the next step.  In my final pictures, you'll see 2 other ways I did the eyes using the cookies**

Add your MINI M&Ms to the cookies.  Use the same color, 2 different colors.  Doesn't really matter.  Be sure to "glue" them on.  Just dab a little frosting to the back of the candy.  Don't worry about making the eyes even, these are supposed to be silly cupcakes.

Place a REGULAR M&M (any color) between the eyes, as shown.  You want to place it in there sideways.

Here's a side shot of the "nose".  Does that help?

Now peel a piece of your licorice twist off.  Doesn't matter what color you are using.

Cut to the size you want/need.  Since mine are fun size, I cut it roughly in half.

And place it on the cupcake, as shown.  And you're finished!!  Now admire your cupcake and be sure to take a picture before eating them!!

Mine finished cupcakes.  See the one with the green eyes?  I used the half of cookie that didn't have filling.  Didn't give it a background, as the only frosting I had on hand was the strawberry.  Tori thought it was cool and like it better than the "filling" eyes, haha.

Another option for the cookie eyes is to use, well, candy eyes!  You can find them in specialty baking stores.  I was actually lucky enough to find these at Kmart, in there bake-ware section.  Haven't checked Walmart yet, but they may carry them too.  

I imagine you could also use mini marshmallows on the cookies.  Just cut it in half and smoosh it a little.  Then add either a mini M&M or a mini chocolate chip for the eye (again, using your canned frosting as the "glue").

**Just a quick tip.  If you are making these ahead of time, either hours or a day ahead, put them in the fridge!  Especially if it's warm.  Not just outside, but in your house also.  I once made these Corn on the Cob cupcakes (see picture below) and the frosting sorta melted.  I made them at night and left them on the counter so my husband wouldn't forget them for work (they were having some holiday lunch thing).  He said when he went to get them the toppings were sliding off.  It was a cozy 72 degrees in our house that night/morning.**

Aren't these Corn cupcakes cute??

It's just topped with candy and sugar crystals!

Feeling Grown Up

So I did something the other day, and just can't stop thinking about it.  I mean I went from elated, to feeling like a terrible mom, to feeling proud of myself.

The other day, we had an outing to our local Walmart store.  This isn't unusual.  It's also pretty normal that every time we go, the kids get a new toy, a "soda" (normally a water, milk or juice) or some candy.  However, on this trip, I had already decided no toys for the girls.  Maybe the boys, but not the girls.  My reasoning for this?  When the girls get a new toy, it's usually about $20--that's each, for two girls.  The boys however are stuck with a $1 hot wheel.  Sometimes we "splurge" and let them pick out a $3 toy, but not often.

So when my 6 year old asked if she could get a toy before we left, I told her no.  And when she proceeded to beg and whine, I stood firm.  Which was followed by her throwing a fit.  So I simply explained to her that she ruined all chances of me changing my mind while at the store.  I explained that she had put me in the position of teaching her negative behavior (I made sure to not say "bad").  I told her that if I had bought her a toy, then she would be learning that it if I said no, then all she had to do was throw a fit and Mommy would cave and buy her a toy.  Something I have been guilty of doing, several times, just so I wouldn't have to deal with the fit.

While at the store, I held strong.  She asked once for a toy, and I reminded her of why she wouldn't be getting one that day.  A few minutes later, she asked if she could have a dress.  My thought process was "well, it's not a toy".  So, I walked her to the $10 dress selections, told her to find one her size she liked.  We didn't put it in the cart however.  I then made her ask her dad if she could have the dress.  After all, he is a little more firm that I am when it comes to her.  He did agree she could have the dress.

However, later she "lost" the dress.  I don't remember what happened exactly.  But at one point, my husband told her to stop [doing whatever it was she was doing].  When she didn't listen, he threatened to put the dress back if she didn't listen.  Still, she whined some more, and I told her to stop.  And that's when it happened.  She got even louder (not exactly super loud)--and I put the dress back!  She then began to really throw a fit, begging and crying for the dress back.  And I made my husband keep walking.  She didn't get her new dress.  And I held my place.  I followed through with an action.  And I just let her throw her fit.

I felt elated, happy, thrilled.  Then on the very short drive home, I felt like a terrible person for not getting that dress for my daughter.  I told myself I could have just put it up until she earned it a day later.  And then I stomped out those thoughts and feelings.  What I did was the right thing.  And very hard for me.  I spoil Josie, everyone knows this.  I spoil all my kids, but Josie is given more leeway.  And I really need to stop with that.  She isn't a baby anymore.  In a couple months, she will be 7 years old.  She knows right from wrong (in most situations).  However, this is one thing I have failed my daughter with.  I have taught her that in this situation, doing the wrong thing is the right thing.

Will I continue to hold strong with her?  Probably not.  It's going to be a learning process for us both.  And it's going to take time for us to adjust.  I did have a talk with her once we were home and she had calmed down.  I [again] explained the reason she did not get a new toy OR dress.  And, remember, before we even left for the store, I did explain why she would not be allowed a new toy.

Oh yeah, this Mom is finally getting the bigger picture.  Anywho, I just had to share that somewhere other than my head.

Signed,
Super Mom