LilSugar

Lil Tip: Ice Cream Cones For Snacks

babysugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:00:39 -0700

While ice cream may be the most popular filler for ice cream cones, your wee ones will enjoy snacking on other coned goodies. Instead of ice cream, load up some cake cones with popcorn, pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, yogurt raisins, and M&Ms for other fun afternoon treats. As warm weather subsides in the upcoming seasons, the desire for iced-down treats may, too!

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Kiddie Soiree: Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

My friend faces a major dilemma when it comes to her son's birthday. He is not a fan of cake, regardless of the shape or flavor she presents. While other kids eagerly await their slice of birthday cake, her son seeks ice cream.

In planning his party this year, she decided to mix things up a bit and create something that will make both guests and the guest of honor happy - ice cream cone cakes. Prior to the party, she is baking the cupcakes in the cones and will have the tots decorate them with colored icings, sprinkles, crushed cookies and candies. After a roaring rendition of "Happy Birthday," she will serve up traditional ice cream cones to the celebrants and give guests a special box to take their cupcake home in.

To see how to make this retro birthday treat read more.

Ice Cream Cone Cakes
Betty Crocker

Ingredients

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® party rainbow chip cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
24 flat-bottom ice cream cones
1 to 2 containers Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy frosting (any flavor)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.

Make cake batter as directed on box. Fill each cup 2/3 full of batter (1 heaping tablespoon each). Place ice cream cone upside down on batter in each cup.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean (cones may tilt on batter). Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Remove paper baking cups. Generously frost cake with frosting, and decorate as desired. Store loosely covered.

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Tasty Treats For Halloween Bashes: Wicked Witch Cupcakes

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:30:18 -0700

Halloween's focus may be on a youngster's costume and the candy he gathers as he makes his way through the neighborhood, but that doesn't mean the party can't start early with some tasty treats. From school-sponsored bashes to kiddie soirees, Halloween parties offer lil ones another opportunity to show off their costumes and indulge in some sweets to kick off the spooktacular holiday.

With some inspiration from Martha Stewart, a platter of wicked witch cupcakes is more likely to put a smile on a wee one's face than frighten him. After baking up a favorite cupcake recipe, simply mix up some green buttercream icing, add a chocolate ice cream cone hat, and dig into your Halloween candy supply for some pieces that will create a witchy face. Be sure to have a few extra on hand as these devilishly good delights are sure to entice the parents as much as the kids.

Summer's Last Hurrah at the County Fair

babysugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:00:48 -0700

As much as I hate to see Summer go, I don't mind bidding it adieu with one last hurrah at the local county fair. Tall enough to enjoy the rides on her own, my daughter grasped onto her tickets and ran for the shiny roller coasters pumping her arms up and down like she'd won the lotto. Thinking she needed easing, we put her on the most juvenile ladybug ride first, which turned out to be a bust as she yelled, "Stop!" most of the way. Thinking we just wasted our money on 12 more tickets, she was fired up and ready to go on the more adventurous rides. Trusting her instincts, we let her. She rode an alligator roller coaster and a flying dragon all on her lonesome and had the time of her life. The only thing that could top her joy rides was some good old fair food - sure to clog arteries and ruin one's clothes. Having worked up her appetite, we treated her to a corn dog and a fat chocolate ice cream cone. Next up on the list - pumpkin patch!

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Do Your Kids Indulge in Sweets More Over the Summer?

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:24 -0700

Think twice before letting your lil ones indulge in their favorite snacks this Summer. Sunny days spent outdoors often lead families to the ice cream truck for respite from the heat and humidity, but those little treats add up. According to WebMD, without the structure of school programs, many tots don't get the physical activity they need to burn off the fat and calories their snacks pack in.

Trips to the beach, state fair and carnival offer up a buffet of unhealthy foods. Among the worst offenders are:

Baskin Robbins' Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae: 1,250 calories, 81 grams fat, 91 grams sugar.
Cold Stone Creamery Dark Chocolate cone: 800 calories, 47 grams fat, 68 grams sugar.
Fried macaroni and cheese: 572 calories, 33 grams fat, 1,840 milligrams sodium.
Cherry Slurpee: 240 calories, 64 grams sugar.
Corn dog and fries: 770 calories, 1,600 milligrams sodium.

For a look at more very sweet treats, read more.

Fried dough: 360 calories, 20 grams fat.
Dunkin Donuts Blueberry Muffin: 510 calories, 16 grams fat, 490 milligrams sodium, 51 grams sugar.
Nestle Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich: 500 calories, 24 grams fat, 40 grams sugar.
Lemonade: 198 calories, 51 grams sugar.

Do you throw the rules out the window in the Summer and let the kids dive into more unhealthy snacks than usual?

Blast Back From the Past: Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine

LilSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:18:09 -0700

I have a friend who loves to tell me about the time she convinced her aunt to buy her the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine, only to have her mom immediately take it back to the store because she had been forbidden to have it. With Spring in the air and the hint of a warm Summer to come, I am always reminded of her story when I see lil ones lining up at the ice cream truck for their rainbow snow cones.

The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine ($17) is still being made and looks just like the original one from the early '80s (though the plastic is not quite as sturdy this time around). While it does require a lot of work to grind up the ice, the kit comes with favored syrups/mixes and an ice scoop shovel for making authentic icy treats that will have tots lining up on your doorstep on humid days.

You Know You're a Mother When: Buttons Come Undone

babysugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:00:37 -0700

There are numerous reasons why I admire beautiful mama Naomi Watts and seeing this picture reminded me of one - she's a harried mom just like me. More often than not, mothers get everyone clean, clothed and ready, before they throw their own outfit together and head out the door.

Known for her stunning red carpet looks, Naomi Watts fell victim to a "You Know You're a Mother When" moment while stopping for a New York City ice cream cone with Liev and Alexander. While lil Sasha looked picture perfect in his bright Appaman tee and black Converse sneakers, his hot mum's adorable tunic was unbuttoned at the neck giving her the mark of motherhood.

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Pacific Coast News

Tot Talk: The Hilarious Things Kids Say

LilSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:07 -0700

Most mothers think their children are crack-ups, but some things that come out of the mouths of babes are funny or offbeat enough to entertain the masses. I've compiled a few of my favorites from friends and my own offspring in the last month.

"I am getting my baby in five years!" - Three-year-old boy to his grandma after his parents told him he was going to be a big brother.
"You are such a big boy. I love you!" - Two-year-old boy to mother after she handed him an ice cream cone.
"Daddy has a tail. The baby has a tail too!" - Two-year-old girl to her mom after seeing her dad get out of the shower and her brother's diaper being changed.
"Cole and I met at the gumball machine and hung out everyday then poof! he was gone." - Four-year-old girl telling her mother about "boyfriend." The mom asked if she was sad and the little girl replied, "No, I'm going to move on because that is what women do!"
"I didn't do that my imaginary friend Andrew did. Actually, I don't have an imaginary friend, but I don't want to pick up the wrapper and I'm running out of names." - Five-year-old girl responding to mom's question about who threw their wrapper on the floor.
"Hi, mom! How are ya doing today?" - Two-year-old boy's question to mother after they came home from spending six hours at the park and running errands together.

Has your youngster said anything humorous lately?

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Mommy Dearest: Son Wants Perks and Presents of Divorce

babysugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 08:00:37 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I am at a crossroads trying to explain the aftermath of a divorce to my eight-year-old son. Though his daddy and I are happily married, his best friend's parents are splitting and each side is showering their child with gifts big and small. From ice cream cones to new skateboards, the third grader is getting everything except the sun and the moon. My boy gets the divorce aspect, but he doesn't understand why he can't have his wish list, too. He thinks he's deprived, how can I help him see the light?

- Explaining the Aftermath of Divorce

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Explaining the Aftermath of Divorce,

It's a tough task to explain love lost to a youngster. And, even harder to explain how divorced families deal with those relationships. Initially, many moms and pops use material items to show their love and affection for their children. Friends of those kids are often jealous of the "double rewards" that come with the breakup of a marriage. I've heard kids say, "I wish my parents were divorced! You get twice as many Christmas and birthday presents!" School aged tots may have a rough time seeing past the loot, but it is up to you to point out the advantages of their own life. It is a simple lesson of being thankful for what you have.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

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Simple or Swank: White Lace Purses

babysugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:34 -0700

One way to keep mama's purse from getting too full of her mini-me's knickknacks is to give princess her very own tote. Instead of marking my wallet up with crayons, my daughter carries her wares with her wherever she goes. Spring into Summer with one of these delicate, white pocketbooks that is sure to go with any flouncy dress in her armoire.

Simple: Instead of treating the tot to an ice cream cone, use the $4 in the wallet for the zippered eyelet Children's Place purse that is reminiscent of Jackie O.

Swank: Shaped like a large coin purse, the $16 lace adorned Janie and Jack option has a clasp closure and a large bow for the tiniest of divas.