Rainbow Cupcakes? Yes! Amazing…

So upon my research of St. Patrick’s Day, I found this fantastic rainbow cupcake recipe. Why does it have to be for St. Patti’s Day – why not to celebrate spring? Rainbows, spring showers, flowers…it added a smile to my face and though I would share this great idea with you!

INGREDIENTS:

• White cake mix (from the box…18 ¼ ounce box)
• Food coloring (red, blue, green and yellow)
• Baking cups
• Whipped cream or vanilla frosting

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare your favorite white cake mix, then divide the batter evenly among six small bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.

FOR RAINBOW COLOR = DROPS OF FOOD COLORING:

Purple  =  9 red and 6 blue drops

Blue  =  12 drops

Green  =  12 drops

Yellow  =  2 drops

Orange  =  12 yellow and 4 red drops

Red  =  18 drops

 
2. Line 16 muffin pan wells with baking cups.

3. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on, following the order shown. As you go, gently spread each layer of batter with the back of a spoon to cover the color underneath.

4. Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe directions. Before serving, remove the paper wrapping, and if you like, top each cupcake with a whipped-cream cloud of whipped cream or vanilla frosting.

For that perfect spring outfit for the kids
shop Le Top’s spring 2011 collection here
or
Rabbitmoon’s spring 2011 collection here

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Sunny weather and Farmers’ Markets go together!

Checking out the delicious strawberries. (Miranda in Playful Ponies and Paulo in A Dog's Life from le•top's 2009 Fall/Winter collection)

Farmers’ markets may be year-round, but it’s best to go when the sun is shining. Everything just looks fresher, greener and sweeter, and everyone is shopping away happily with their reusable bags in hand. I love to support my local farmers and buy their organically-grown produce every weekend, but trekking out there in the rain or cold just isn’t my cup of tea – especially with a little guy who has to be pushed around in his stroller. However, last Saturday when we woke up and saw the sun beaming down and temperatures in the low 70s, we decided it was time to visit the farmers’ market.

It’s been so long since we’ve been to a farmers’ market that Miranda forgot what it was. “Do they have rides? Do they have shopping carts? Why are we walking?” But as soon as we got out of the car and followed the crowd, Miranda remembered. “This is where we can try strawberries for FREE! And we can buy kettle corn! And where’s the clown that makes balloon animals?”

Oh, yes! The fun of going to farmers’ markets. Not only do we see fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, pastas, etc., smell popcorn popping or meat grilling, hear live music, but we also get to spend quality family time. Yay for spring!

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Swim Classes for Fun, Exercise and Safety

When my daughter was 7 months old, I enrolled her in a “Parent and Me” swim class. I needed something to break up our monotonous day of sleeping and eating. I was nervous and a bit afraid in the beginning because I didn’t know how she was going to react to being immersed in water, or if she might slip out of my fingers and swallow pool water. But on the flip side, isn’t this what swim classes are all about? It would be a good idea to introduce her to the sport and learn water safety.

Four years later, she is still taking swim class and she’s good at it! (Her swim teacher calls her a mermaid.) My husband and I were so amazed how well she picked up this activity. Neither one of us are swimmers, but seeing our daughter learn how to hold her breath, tread water, backstroke, and master the freestyle, definitely makes us very proud of her.

Through the years we have had many swimsuits. Since Miranda is in swim class year-round, we buy one new swimsuit every season because of the amount of wear and tear she puts these swimsuits through. For the last year or so, Miranda has been selecting her own swimsuits. This season she’s hand-picked Strawberry Fields one-piece swimsuit from the le•top Spring 2009 Collection. She likes the strawberries and flowers that adorn the yellow and white polka dot background. She also likes the big pink flower on the front. Most especially, she LOVES the hat! She can’t wear it to swim class but according to her, “This is perfect for when I go to the beach!”

This fruity fresh collection is available in stores now in sizes newborn to 6X. Use our store locator to find the nearest le•top retailer.

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