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Wilton Method of Cake Decorating Course 1, Day 2

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For the 2nd session of our Wilton Method of Cake Decorating Course we were asked to prepare a firm 8″ cake, 2 recipe’s of buttercream, piping gel and cake filling. I prepared all of these Thursday evening because we have a busy weekend, every thing was stored in the refrigerator and thawed Friday night for my class the next day.

I was not feeling well for my class, didn’t get enough sleep trying to fix my iPhone which got stuck to Error Code 53 after doing the latest ios update. My iphone 6 still not working, Argh! That’s another story to tell, back to my class.

Ms. A (our teacher) showed us how to:

  • level a cake using a cake leveler
  • separate cake in two
  • create a dam
  • place filling
  • apply a crumb coat
  • final coat and smoothen surface

I have done the following task before, it felt good that even if I’ve never attended a class prior to this one I was actually doing it correctly. While waiting for our crumb coat to crust Ms, A showed us new methods:

  • apply the final buttercream coating
  • smoothen buttercream with the use of parchment paper
  • how to use piping gel & parchment paper to transfer designs
  •  Piping
    • dot
    • pulled dot
    • elongated shapeshow to transfer designs using piping gel.

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Eggspectation, is it just eggs?

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Kuya V: “What are we having for dinner?”

Me: “We have a reservation at Eggspectation.”

Kuya V: “Eggs for dinner? Only eggs in the menu? I’m so hungry, I can’t just have eggs.”

I think he imagined green eggs in the menu which prompted a request to get burgers and ice cream after dinner. He was that worried.

You really can’t blame the kid, the name Eggspectation does begin with egg which suggest that their menu mostly consists of different ways eggs are prepared and of course breakfast. I am happy with breakfast options anytime of the day.

So, is it really just eggs and breakfast dishes in the menu?

Warm welcome greeted us as we entered the restaurant, the place was not full that Friday night so we were immediately seated. Ms. Aschely was assigned to take care of us, both kids were given activity papers with the kids menu on it and some crayons, a baby chair was offered for LittleMiss but she only want to sit with me. The place looked big because of it’s glass walls that provided a good view of the beach front facilities, guests can also choose to seat outside perfect in the cooler months.

Eggspectation activity sheet and kids menu
Eggspectation The Beach
Eggspectations, The Beach JBR

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Wilton Method of Cake Decorating Course 1, Day 1

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Baking cakes and decorating is something that I’ve learned from friends and watching videos online. I have always wanted to enroll myself to a cake decorating class ever since we moved here in Dubai, but never found time.

I finally made time to enhance my cake decorating skills and enrolled to The Wilton Method of Cake Decorating Course 1 – Building Buttercream Skills. Although I have been baking cakes, decorating them completely with just buttercream scares me. The only cake I decorated not using fondant is my ube cake and I hide my cupcakes buttercream imperfections by adding sprinkles.

 

Inquired about the class schedule at Wilton’s Gold and Diamond Park store and it was perfect for us. My LittleOnes and Daddy C urged me to enroll right that moment with the assurance that they will be ok without me. Read More

Up-Close with the Endeavour Space Shuttle at California Science Center

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CaliforniaScienceCenter

A visit to the California Science Center was not in our plan; we honestly did not know that it is home to the Endeavour Space Shuttle.

Endeavour Space Shuttle

As we enter the Samuel Oschin Pavilion our jaws dropped at the sight of the Endeavour Space Shuttle, it was huge and completely overwhelming.  It’s not every day that you get to see a space shuttle up close.

There is a reservation fee of $2 to see the Endeavour which you can purchase online (timed reservation is required beginning September 2015). We purchased IMAX tickets to watch Galapagos 3D which entitled us to a free pass to see the space shuttle. Kuya V sat thru the movie while the rest of us fell asleep, we were jetlagged. Read More

How to make slime

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LittleOne’s asked me to take a video tutorial on how they made slime.

Things you need to make slime.

1 tsp Borax powder
8 oz of White or Clear Glue
1 1/2 cup water
Food coloring

Procedure:
Prepare two mixing bowls.
Dissolve borax in 1 cup of water.
In a separate bowl pour in glue and add a few drops of food coloring. Add 1/2 cup of water. Mix till combined.

Pour the glue solution to the borax water and mix. After a few stirs you get a slime!

*Borax is not available in Dubai, we bought our box in the US.

Great deal of unlimited fun for the Family!

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We’re back from our 3 weeks vacation and the kids are bored. They miss our busy schedule back in the US. Temperature in Dubai ranges from 36C in the morning and 40C in the afternoon, so playing outdoor is not a good idea.

We were invited to have an afternoon of indoor fun at the Atlantis Fun Factory that offers an unlimited arcade games from 3pm to 10pm daily until August 23.

Atlantis Family Fun Factory Entrance

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LittleMiss turns 3 

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Dear LittleMiss,

We are once again traveling on your birthday, this may be a sign that one of your life goal is to explore places. On your first birthday we traveled from HK to MNL via Cathay Pacific and now on your 3rd birthday we are on our way to LAX via KLM and plane will leave on your exact birth time 12:48 am.

Ever since we entered the month of June we’ve had mini celebrations. In some days you wake up and grab one of our baking books and ask me to bake a cupcake, you’ve always chosen the one’s that has pink icing.

Last June 16 we had an advance celebration with your bestfriend Little Dude and Kuya at Adventure Land. We ate pizza and had cheesecake for your birthday celebration. You declared it to be the best birthday ever.

Happy3rdChloe

 

Mama noticed looking back at your previous birthdays that I haven’t really baked you a proper cake. We baked a Vanilla cake with you as my little helper. You measured and mix with such happiness that I’m sure added to the yumminess of your cake.

“I’m making my cake. It will be pink with sprinkles!”

You have grown to be a beautiful, strong willed and sweet Princess. We love every bit of you.

Daddy will never get tired playing tea time with you.

Kuya V will always be happy to watch princess and fairy movies with you, even though you asked him to play ball when you ran out of popcorn.

Mommy will never get tired reading stories and bake you anything that you like.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweetheart!

Ps: Mommy is writing this post while waiting for our check-in counters to open.

Keeping kid’s cool this summer

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UAE was declared the hottest place in the world with temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius last June 2. It is officially summer time in the region. Walking in the afternoon to drop off Kuya V to his Arabic class has been a torture with the mighty sun and hot winds.

During this time we find ourselves in the comfort of our air conditioned home, entertaining ourselves with crafts and cartoons. I am also busy preparing for our summer trip to Los Angeles, researching for things to do and what to wear. Yes, I do a lot of search on what we should wear as I find it helps in packing the right clothes for our trip. July weather forecast for LA is between 24C to 29C, a treat really for us coming from sunny Dubai.

I found these cute and comfortable summer outfit inspiration for the LittleOnes at Gap.

During our flights, I prefer to dress the kids in a sleepwear like clothes. They can easily move and easy to change them in case of emergency spills.

Both kids sleep without blankets that’s why I chose a soft pants and tee’s, it does get warm inside the airplane in the middle of the flight.

LittleMiss C who turns 3 yrs old on the day of our flight is all pink in her choices of clothes. She prefers to wear sleeveless loose top that pairs well with this soft sleep pants. If she feels cold, I can easily help her wear the longs sleeves tee. Read More