Ice Cream Sandwich Cake (Kiddo Favorite for Summer Time)

During the Summer nothing satisfies quite like an Ice Cream Sandwich. It is the perfect treat on a hot day after your kiddos have played outside or spent the day at the pool. It is even a yummy gift for us Moms who just need a little "happy" in our day :).

This super-easy dessert has only four ingredients, and it is Kid-Friendly. Let your children help you put it together, and turn it into a learning experience. My three year old son helped me, and we both enjoyed licking the cool whip off our fingers and stealing a chocolate sprinkle or two :). We also had fun counting the ice cream sandwiches as we layed them in the pan. He especially loved drizzling the chocolate syrup and sprinkling the sprinkles.

You can make this a healthy treat by using the lowfat ice cream sandwiches, fat free cool whip, and low sugar chocolate syrup. But, if you choose to use the regular stuff, then that's okay too-all that swimming and running around outside will burn the extra calories off :).

Enjoy! You are prayed for daily my friends!

Psalm 16: 5-11 (The Message)

"My choice is you, God, first and only.
And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!

The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with God;
I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.

I'm happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that's not my destination!

Now you've got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I'm on the right way."

~~

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ingredients:

12 ice cream sandwiches (I used the mini (100 calorie) ones)

1 1/2 cups Cool Whip (use any flavor -chocolate, french vanilla, or regular)

Wilton Cookies and Cream Sprinkles (you could use the colored sprinkles as well)

Hershey's Chocolate Syrup

Directions:

Use a Glass or Metal 9x13 inch pan. Arrange 6 ice cream sandwiches on the bottom of the pan. Spread the sandwiches with 3/4 cup Cool Whip. Drizzle with Chocolate Syrup. Repeat Layers (6 sandwiches, 3/4 cup Cool Whip, Chocolate Drizzle). Scatter Sprinkles on top.

Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Note: If you do not plan to use this right away, then you can cover it with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 1 week. Thaw 15 minutes before serving to make the slices easier to cut.

Best of Both Worlds & Great Divide Ice Cream

My 2 1/2 year old, Jaythan, has his first crush. He is in LOVE with Hannah Montana. How did this start, you may be wondering? About 2 weeks ago, I decided to splurge and rented the new Hannah Montana Movie from Redbox for $1. As we watched this adorably cute movie, my son was MESMERIZED and threw the BIGGEST temper tantrum when he had to go to bed and quit watching it. He woke up the next morning asking for "Hannah". Needless to say, I had to return the movie to Redbox and then purchase the DVD so we could have "Hannah" anytime Jaythan's heart desired it. He watches the entire movie at least once a day and dances to all the songs. If we hear a song from the movie on the radio he goes ballistic. He is IN LOVE! He especially loves her song "Best of Both Worlds". I know it by heart now, I must admit.

I know this is random, but please bear with me as I try to make these ramblings make sense. I was singing "Best of Both Worlds" in my head last night while eating my favorite ice cream-Blue Bell Great Divide. For those of you who aren't from TX, Blue Bell is the BEST and ONLY ice cream you will ever eat if you try it just once. The Great Divide variety is half chocolate/half vanilla-in my opinion, the BEST of BOTH WORLDS :-). It makes me happy; as does Jaythan dancing to Hannah and clapping while shouting, "Hannah, Hannah!" And all of this randomness made me think about our daughter, Savannah Grace, who lives with Jesus now. We only had the privilege of being her parents for such a short time-6 1/2 mths gestation. But, while we were caring for her, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I loved her completely. And, deep in my heart, I know that she is being LOVED extravagently by Jesus. Last week, at our Women's Fall Friendship Dinner at Church the speaker gave me a glimpse of Savannah dancing and laughing through fields of flowers in heaven. This image has stayed with me, and I know that she is truly happy and completely whole and loved unconditionally. Savannah truly had and has the Best of Both Worlds. She was loved and protected fiercely throughout my pregnancy during her time here on earth, and now our Heavenly Father is laughing with her, dancing with her, and loving her in ways that I cannot even begin to imagine. Now, that makes me Happy :-)!

And, the totally awesome thing about this is that you and I also have the Best of Both Worlds. God loves on us throughout our lives here on earth with simple pleasures every day-a beautiful sunset, the perfect rose, a smile from our child, a hug from a loved one, etc... And, then we also get the privilege of having His awesome Love in our hearts and the incredible Promise of Eternity with Him-the Best of Both Worlds. Have you allowed God's love to pour through you into someone's life today? I encourage you to do so-it will fill your own heart with joy and make you as happy as a double scoop of Great Divide Ice Cream! Be blessed my friends!

For those of you who aren't familiar with our story, you can catch up at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/savannahgraceburrell