The Place For a Sweet Summer || The Cotton Candy Palace

What's big, fluffy, sweet and oh so yummy??? Cotton Candy!!! {Well, my sweet yummy little boy too, but we'll focus on the cotton candy for now!}

Particularly, cotton candy from The Cotton Candy Palace!! Haven't heard of them?? Let me introduce you! They are the newest and sweetest addition in Hyde Park Village. A very cool business with the sweetest owner, Priscilla and her team are currently the newest pop-up shop to take residence in the village for the Summer!

So, what makes this cotton candy so special, you ask? This hand-spun royal treat is all natural, gluten free, made with no preservatives, no artificial coloring, and GUILT FREE, with only 60 calories per cotton candy cone!!! How can this be?? Leave it to a "momprenuer" to develop a delicious treat like this! The owner's 1 year old baby girl was the inspiration behind the business. Determined to find ways to help her baby's developing food allergies, the idea for this sweet treat was born!

This giant ball of cotton candy perfection, was obviously a hit with my boys!! This mama was only lucky to snag ONE bite from each of their flavors! From the mouth of my babes, Mango and Grape were their favorite flavors, but you can find a huge selection of gourmet flavors! Plus, rumor has it... they are launching two new flavors, Pina Colada and Chocolate Raspberry!! 

Hungry for some cotton candy yet?? We'll meet you there! ;) You can find The Cotton Candy Palace in Hyde Park Village {next door to Color Me Mine} until August!!! Can't get down to the pop-up before then? Visit their website here to plan an event with one of their royal experiences for your next party!!

Go get some cotton candy!! And hoping you're all having a very sweet Summer!! 

The Penpal Project

My baby, my oldest, my smart and kind little boy is graduating from PreK. I have been a whirlwind of emotions lately. Listening to my sweet, sweet boy practice his songs and recite his lines for the performance of his life right now, just brings this Mama to tears, happy ones, mostly ;). I'm very proud, but very, very sad that we are already here. I swear, I was just teaching him to say his first words....

If you know me, I'm sobbing right now, trying to transition into what should be a happy post. Back to it! {sniff, as I grab my Kleenex!}

My Jack, loves his friends. He is always thinking of others and sending postcards when we travel. So, I wanted to think of a simple way that he could keep in touch with his pals from school. He's developed some wonderful friendships over the years and now he's made some great friends in Preschool. It's been such a joy to watch him develop these friendships and I wanted to encorage him, to keep in touch! Plus, it's a sneaky way to keep him practicing writing words {Sshhhh, don't tell him that part!} So, I created the Penpal Project!!

After talking with a few other Moms, they loved the idea! So, I sent a letter to all the parents and created this simple template for each of the kids to have, making it super simple {for parents} to dig out with a box of crayons and write their friends a letter! :) I complied addresses and shared with the participating families!

Let the Penpal Project, begin!

I had a penpal one Summer as a child and loved it! I hope my boy loves it too! Email, texts, and social media apps aren't going anywhere, but let's bring back the art of writing good 'ole fashion letters!!! :)

Love the idea? Download the Penpal template & start your own Summer of penpal writing! Choose a family member or a friend, across the country and surprise them! Your little ones will love checking the mail in anticipation for their own mail! Happy Summer & happy writing! :)

Holy Guacamole!

During Memorial Day weekend, I made my go-to side dish for a neighborhood BBQ. I love guacamole! It's one of my favorite things! It instantly puts me in a good mood! Chopping up colorful ingredients and savoring the delicious crunch from each tortilla and guac bite!! YUM!!! Ok, I'm getting hungry now!!

Well, I received a few texts from friends asking for the recipe, that I figured I would share it with everyone!!

As much as I would like to take credit for creating this delicious and simple recipe, that's just not my style! I found it on Pinterest a long time ago! But I certainly change things up here and there to spruce it up each time, to make it my own! And now, you can too! See the entire recipe below!

This guacamole is pretty easy to make & I love switching it up. Sometimes, I add grilled corn and extra lime juice and my secret ingredient, lime zest!!! ;) And let it be known, I'm not pretending that I am a recipe guru! I'm far from it!  I'm constantly learning new things to make for my family, but this...This guacamole, is my favorite and always a hit when I make it! There's never enough!Try it for yourself!

Yummy & Easy Guacamole ~ 

• 2 avocados 
• 1 Tbsp of lime juice
• 1 small jalapeno pepper (I usually don't use this bc I am a wimp when it comes to spicy stuff) 
• 1/8 cup of chopped cilantro 
• 1/8 cup of red onion
• 1/2 Roma tomato (I've tried it with other tomatoes and it does change it a little, Roma is best)
• 1/2 tsp of sea salt or kosher
• 1/2 tsp of black pepper

Cut up avocado & immediately pour the lime juice over the cut up pieces, so it doesn't oxidize. Add all other ingredients and stir! Easy right? 

So, if you make this guac at  your next BBQ, I hope to get an invitation, right?? Just kidding! I hope you enjoy it! Happy Summer! I'll leave you with a picture of my cute boys, cheesing-it-up! :)