Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Sandwiches

I have made it a goal of mine this summer to make as many varieties of homemade ice cream as possible. I've had this recipe in mind ever since I saw it, and it finally came to fruition.

The ice cream itself churned up better than any ice cream I've ever made in my maker. Usually it doesn't come out frozen enough to eat right away- it needs to spend some time in the freezer first. But the consistency and taste of this was perfect.

While it was churning, I melted the chocolate in the microwave and started to fill the liners.  I did a bit of math to figure out how much chocolate to put in each portion (1/2 Tbsp. was what I came up with). It didn't look like enough, however, so I used as much chocolate as the recipe called for on the bottom, and then melted more when it came time for the top. BIG MISTAKE! When it came time to eat them, the chocolate was so thick and hard, we couldn't bite through it. Thinner is better in this case.

Annaliese helped me put the ice cream on top once it had finished churning and the chocolate had frozen. I sent her on her merry way and topped them off with more chocolate and popped them into the freezer.

Needless to say, everyone ate their entire dinner so they could have one of these for dessert. They were soooo good.

A couple more thoughts, besides the thinner is better:
- the peanut butter ice cream is great on its own. I might just dump some mini chocolate chips in towards the end of the churning next time.

- the cupcake liners made for great serving and portion control. I might use them for the one Ian picked to try next, even though it doesn't need liners. Keeps us from eating the entire batch in one sitting...

Rain Dance

This past Saturday was a drizzly day. It was the prefect day to go to The Rose and watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It didn't rain while we walked to and from the theater, but it rained at home before we left and Annaliese ran out into it.  When we got home and it started raining again, she asked if she could go dance in the rain. Who are we to say no...

Project Life 2013 | Week 21

Week of: May 20-26




Highlights this week: Last day of school, last day of soccer, last day of swimming lessons, new Batman figure,  first picnic, park and bike fun.

Friday was Ian's last day of Kindergarten. I got a shot very similar to the one from the beginning of the year.

Last day of school celebration- Cherry Berry

At Ian's last soccer game for the season, Annaliese entertained herself by snapping pictures with the big camera. It was funny to watch her try and manage it, but she did fairly well. She got this shot of Darrin..

...and this shot of me. Along with lots of pictures of random people.

Enjoying his snacks after his last game. Darrin took this one ;)

On the way home from the game, we stopped by the park to play. We were all on the swings at once.

That night, we picnicked at Standing Bear...

... and then the kids rode their bikes around the lake.

Sunday's swimming lessons were our last. The kids got to stay in their suits when they got home and run through the sprinklers.

Batman gets a lot of play around here and we only had one until I picked up another with a Batbike for Annaliese thinking it would end the arguing. Now they just argue who gets to play with the new one...

Project Life 2013 | Week 20

Three days in a row! Let's see if I'll make it four...

Week of: May 13-19




Highlights this week: Softball season is in full 'swing', the weather improved- lots of time outside , the kids struggle with swimming lessons, soccer is going well

The weather has been weird. This was only our second game because we've had so many rainouts already.

Before school one morning.

Showing off their coolness.

On Saturday morning, Annaliese helped plant some beans in our garden.

Then we cheered on Ian at his soccer game. He scored SIX goals!

The weather was so nice that Annaliese played outside that afternoon.

But Ian opted to relax and play Annaliese's princess game.

Swimming lessons on Sunday have not been going to well for Annaliese. She went from fearless to frightened in one week, and now won't let go to float, even though she was doing it in the past.

Ian all set to swim on his back down to the other end. He gets a bit freaked out still, about how far it is and afraid of sinking. If he only had to go half the distance, he could totally do it.

Project Life 2013 | Week 19

I'm all caught up in my album, but I've got to get caught-up in my blogging. Hoping to churn out a post every day until I'm caught up.

Week 19: May 6-12

Left page and an insert of pictures from Ian's carnival.

Back of the carnival insert- pictures from the park- and a book Ian wrote me for Mother's Day.

Right page

Highlights: At Ian's school for a BBQ...and Mother's Day...and a carnival. Muffins with Annaliese for Mother's day. Painted bedroom ceilings. Became Godparents again.

Darrin and I joined Ian for his school-wide BBQ. It was a chilly day!

Thursday Ian's class hosted a Mother's Day tea.

Friday morning I joined Annaliese at school for Muffins with Mom.

Seeing as how I was lugging my big camera purse around all week because of the kids' events, I snapped pictures all day long for a "Day in the Life" layout. Here's my messy cubical.

And then we went to CherryBerry.

Friday night there was a carnival at Ian's school. The kids loved the inflatables.

Ian showed us what a great shot he is.

Annaliese got her nails painted for the first time.

After we ran out of carnival tickets, we played on the school's playground.

Annaliese loved figuring out how to move from one moving island to another.

Ian showed us he can do the monkey bars.

Saturday Ian had another soccer game. He made an awesome goal.

Sunday our Godson Henry was baptized.

Here he is with the onesie we gave him.

At the luncheon after the baptism, they had bubble blowers. Annaliese had lots of fun.