Pinkalicious

"I'm sooo excited," squealed Kristen, pumping her fist in the air and hugging me tightly. "I want to make them now! "
"I know, sweetie," I replied, "but you need to stay in bed and go to sleep... that's the deal, remember."
"And I have to ignore Daddy typing on the computer and STAY in bed."
"That's right."
" And then we can make PINKalicious cupcakes!"
"Yep."


For those of you without a three year old girl, "Pinkalicious" is the name of a picture book about a little girl eating so many pink cupcakes that she turns pink. It is my daughter's favorite book (well this month) and she requests it for one of her two bedtime stories almost every night.




Recently, Phil and I have been struggling with keeping Kristen in her room at night. She comes out often claiming she is not tired. She also likes to stay up until everyone has vacated the downstairs. Unfortunately, our computer, desk, checkbook, bills, and laundry are all in the downstairs... so we can't exactly leave the downstairs the minute she asks us to.... or when would we do all of our tasks?

So, we started using a sticker chart. Kristen loved the idea of stickers as a reward, for about two days. Then we decided she could have a treat if she stayed in her room for a whole week, or 7 stickers on her chart. This worked for two weeks. One week she recieved pudding and the next week ice cream. Both were big hits. But I could tell her interest was waining and I need to step it up again. And then the idea of Pinkalicious Cupcakes hit me. And wow, did I pick a winner. Kristen was surprised, excited, delighted and anxious for the next morning.





We decided to make the cupcakes at Nanna's house because Audrey had been sick for the last three days and I was exhausted from staying up all night with her. Having an extra pair of hands to entertain Audrey or help with the baking definitely helped. And both of the girls love their Nanna.






The girls enjoyed helping us mix the ingredients, line the pan with wrappers, frost the cupcakes and put the cherries on the top.




















The cupcakes were delicious and we had a great time making them. Thanks Nanna for the use of your kitchen and your help. Thank you Uncle Bryan and (future) Aunt Aimee for purchasing the "Pinkalicious" book. ANd thanks Mimi for delivering it.




P.S. I have no idea what to do next week to motivate the princess to stay in her room and what could possibly trump Pinkalicious cupcakes? Let me know if you have any ideas.