Buttercream frosting & some cake to go with it {Recipe}

I made these cupcakes and a fun batman cake for my little M's 3rd birthday party which was all about superheroes and I was getting a lot of compliments on the cake so I thought I would share my secrets with you. I love me some box cakes they are fast and easy and I am all about that, but I have found through trying different things for a while the best concoction to making them much more scrumptious and moist. Nothing like a moist cake! mmmm.

Ok so here is the secret you are going to follow the recipe on the back of the box but replace the oil with the same amount of butter {softened at room temperature} and replace the water with milk or buttermilk {I used 2%}. Then the same amount of eggs the box says. Then you are going to mix it all up, and bake as directed. I promise just those two easy replacements {of ingredients you have in your fridge anyway} will make your cakes and cupcakes so much better!

Oh man can I just say that funfetti cake batter is my weakness. My mouth is watering just looking at this and with the butter and milk it is pure heaven I tell ya.

Ok now that was easy peasy now onto Julie's homemade butter cream frosting. My mother in law, Julie, used to make wedding cakes and all sorts of birthday cake and she is so fabulous at it seriously I used to love when I was at her house when she was making them. So fun to watch. Anyway her buttercream frosting is so so yummy and it is what I make when I am making cupcakes so here ya go...enjoy:

{Ingredients}\
-1/2 cup shortening
-1/2 cup margarine
-2/3 cup milk
-1 teaspoon vanilla {I actually put in more because I love vanilla}
-Enough powdered sugar for the consistency that you want. You will want to get a 2 lb bag but you wont use the whole thing. 

{Directions}
Mix your shortening, butter, milk and vanilla with your beaters until well blended then you are going to add your powdered sugar one cup at a time mixing your frosting between each cup. Keep adding powered sugar until it is the consistency you are wanting. 

I found these adorable super hero prints HERE. Then I just simply cut them out and taped them onto half of a striped paper straw. And there you have a super cute easy cupcake topper. Perfect for that super hero birthday party.

 
It is safe to say they were a success the kids and adults all liked them, But most importantly the birthday boy was in heaven

I made this guy with the same recipes. Cute right! I was pretty proud that I did this all by myself. Plus a cute cake is fun but its really all about what it tastes like. Am I right?!

These recipes are linked up HERE

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You can find M's superhero birthday post HERE and the Superhero cape tutorial HERE.

 You bet I had some left over cold cake for breakfast the next morning. Why not. I ran it off later :)

Pin Pin pin! Don't forget to pin for later. And go and make yourself a cupcake. You know you want to!

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Maddux is 3!!! {Birthday Celebration}

Yesterday was this sweet little guy's birthday. 3? I can hardly believe it. I remember the day in the hospital, the back labor, the pushing for 2 hours, and the seeing him for the first time, tears streaming down our faces, making us parents for the very first time as if it was yesterday. Seriously though these last three years have flown by and I can't believe that he is a little boy now. He is so smart, his memory amazes me, he is creative, active and so athletic already. He is a sweetheart, he is rambunctious, he is learning, he takes care of Holden, he is feisty and he makes us laugh every single day. My life would not be complete with out my Maddux in it. He holds a special place in my heart and I hope we are always close. Happy Birthday my little Super Hero!

His birthday was on a Sunday this year, so we got to celebrate him ALL weekend! I am pretty sure he was LOVING all the attention. On Saturday we invited a few friends for a special super hero party at the trampoline park, Airborne. {side note: did you know that Bentley, from the Bachelorette Emily's season owns this place...haha I have yet to see him there though and he was such a jerk on the show I probably would give him a good scuz anyway, either that or I would just get starstruck....probably the last option I'm not gonna lie}.

The kids had a blast as you can tell from their faces. They have such a fun little kid area, dodgeball area, a obstacle course, foam pits, trampolines everywhere and platforms. It is awesome!

I made these little super hero capes for all the kids with their initial on them. They were loving them it was so much fun to see the pure joy and hear all the laughter of these adorable kids.

Do you just die when you see that curly hair?! ahhh I just love it!

We had a small melt down, but what would a party be without that. He was over it in about two seconds and was back to running around and jumping all over.

Tutorial for the capes coming soon! Did I mention they are no sew, yeah you will want to tune in for that post I promise.

Darling Holden loved watching the kids and even got to play in the pit and tramps a little bit.

Of course I got in on all the action. Come on I was a gymnast for ten years of my life. Seriously though I love this place. Date night with no kids and some other fun adults is in the works.

After about an hour and a half of trampoline goodness, we piled all the kids in the cars and headed to our house for some presents, pizza and cake and ice cream. {Recipe for cupcakes and frosting also coming soon}

This little guy had way too much fun and was so tired after, which resulted in an awesome nap.

The fun was not over. The next morning, His actual birthday he woke up to streamers on his doorway, a banner in the kitchen, lots of decorations and balloons covering his chair. When he opened the door that morning he said in a super adorable excited voice "What is this??? Is it my birthday?" jumping up and down for joy. I will seriously remember that reaction forever! ADORABLE

Waffles for birthday breakfast with a candle of course. Do you just not want to eat that freakin adorable face. MMM he is the cutest! Dimples, curls, smiles, and bedhead nothing better.

After church and a nap he woke up to another fun party with our amazing families. Thank you all who came to celebrate our sweet Maddux.

The party was full of laughter, presents, cake, capes, smiles, food {we made these amazing tacos from my sister in laws blog..check them out they are amaze balls}, family, talking, noise, singing and memories maddux and all of us are so happy to share.
 

Yes, I totally made this cake. I was pretty proud of myself.  It was so much fun and Maddux thought it was the coolest thing in the world. It tasted pretty scrumptious too.

After the party winded down, maddux finally ate dinner at 9:00 {he doesn't like to eat when people are around just wants to play}, prayers were said, and stories were read we spent a little bit of time before bed, just the three of us, to let Maddux know how special he is and how much we love him and need him in our lives.

Today the weather was so beautiful we went outside and played with all of his new toys!

Oh and yes I totally did cry on his birthday!!! Cray cray mama but I sure to love him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDUX. We love you to the moon and back, forever and no matter what. We have loved having you in our lives and can't even remember what it was like without you. You teach us everyday. You make us laugh. You are special and I am so excited to continue to watch you grow and learn and be everything that you can be. You have taught me to love in a way I didn't even know was possible.  We love you- Mommy, Daddy and baby Holden.