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Monkey Business

Banana Cupcakes

Check out the frosting on these banana cupcakes. Super smooth and creamy, cream cheese buttercream … so delicious and creamy. Did I mention creamy? I also used a little added yellow to tint the otherwise cream colored creamy cream cheese frosting … you know, just to enhance the senses. I’m tricky like that.

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Banana Cupcakes

  • 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large ripe banana (or almost 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 box (1lb) of confectioner's sugar
  • Buttercup yellow icing color (optional)

Instructions

  1. Banana Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tray with 12 baking cups.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl with a wire whisk.
  3. Cream butter and sugar in a mixer for about four minutes. Add banana and mix until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  4. Add half the flour in three additions alternating with milk in two additions. Scrape down the sides with each addition.
  5. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until done.
  6. Crean Cheese Frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese in mixer until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla. Then add sugar in small batches until combined and creamy. Add a small amount of buttercup yellow icing color to frosting and mix.
Now you can eat them just like this or …

Confetti Cupcakes

Party them up a little bit with small pastel colored confetti sprinkles … just because it’s that kind of day.

But, these banana cupcakes need something else… something to keep them company.

A little friend maybe?

IMG_3315

Yes definitely.

But my little monkey needs a friend, too.

Cupcake Toppers

So this little piggy and teddy joined in on the fun.

Cupcake Toppers

And so did my favorite martian, robot and bumblebee.

My head is actually going to explode from all this cuteness.

Bumblebee Cupcake Topper

Could these be any more adorable? Look at that bumblebee bottom.

Cupcake Towers from Lollipop Workshop

Why yes, yes they can! These cupcake toppers are also candleholders. I’m officially in love here.

Cupcake Toppers from Lollipop Workshop

And it gets even better. They want to be your friends, too. Not these, they’re mine. All mine.

Cupcake Toppers

But these could be all yours.

When I bought these cutie pies from the Lollipop Workshop on etsy (also be cheery on flickr), I bought enough for two more sets. And I want two of you to have one. Well I want all of you to have them, but I only have two sets to give away. (Martian and Robot colors may vary from above.)

All you have to do to enter is give me some advice.

You see, Lollipop Workshop also sent me something else … A surprise … when she mailed the cupcake toppers.

I’m 10000000% certain it will be crazy cute!

From Lollipop Workshop

It’s in this box and I haven’t opened it yet.

Why?

Lollipop Workshop Goodies

Because she also sent this box for my little helper. So sneaky and sweet of her.

So the question is…
Should I wait until my niece visits again so we can open them together?
Should I rip open mine now and show you what’s inside?
Should I open both of them? I could re-wrap ’em and no one would be the wiser.
But I do like surprises. Hmmmm… tortured by sweetness.

Okay, so you know I’m really gonna wait, right.

But, I’m just curious – what would you do?

  • Leave your answer in the comment section below and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a set of assorted cupcake toppers from Lollipop Workshop.
  • Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
  • Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 18th at 5 p.m. TIME’S UP!
  • Two winners* will be picked at random and announced sometime Tuesday evening on this post.

*Winners will be chosen using the random.org integer generator.

Good Luck!

And, here’s some more cuteness from Lollipop Workshop. Custom cake toppers, lollidolls and candleholders. The store sells out quickly when she adds new products, so just send her a message if you need a custom order.

Okay, Time’s up and here are the two winners

#1619 – Elle
#831 – The Pettit Family

Congrats! You’re getting some super cute cupcake toppers!

Comments are closed.

3,524 comments on “Monkey Business”

  1. oh, man I'm pretty sure I would open them both and rewrap the one for your neice back up again.

  2. wait, it will be a surprise for both of you!!

  3. I would wait and open them together, then take lots of pictures for us!!

  4. I think you should wait, the surprise will be much more fun if you both open yours together!

  5. open yours, then let her open her's when she comes.

  6. I have a hard time with surprises so I would have opened them before I could even get a post up! LOL! Of course then I would feel guilty and would have ended up re-wrapping them!!

  7. As a former baking helper to my aunt (who am I kidding, I still help her when I get the chance) I say open them together! Then you can have a fun mystery day of baking to use whatever's inside…together! So fun :)

  8. If I'm being honest, which I do try to be, I would open it and rewrap it. I couldn't stand the suspense.

  9. AHHHHH! Cuteness level maxed OUT!!! They are just too sweet & as for those parcels….ummmmm, I think I would definately have to RIP into mine & then wait for your niece to arrive to see what's in hers. "What's that? She's not excpected for at least 3 days???" Maybe just a peek in one end! shh!!
    Good luck with the suspense, & that creamy cream cheese frosting looks to die for! Pick me random.org PLEASE!

  10. As awesomely exciting as it would be to open it right now I'm sure that your niece would feel super special to be included in the opening. I vote to wait. And those candle holders rock!
    jeannerlopez (at) gmail.com

  11. Wait. Definitely wait. So easier said than done, no?

  12. I am known for taking a peek! U know how it is…carefully unwrap just one side of the box & take a peek – just a little one & then tape the sid back up!!

    Let us know what u decided!!

    Marianne (Sydney, Australia)
    dellom@hotmail.com

  13. Of course you SHOULD wait…but I wouldn't be able to.

  14. You should wait & open with your niece.

  15. Wait, absolutely. The anticipation will sweeten the pot, as will the sharing.

    Unless, of course, the contents of the boxes are time sensitive or perishable.

  16. I think you should wait. I would be dying to open it but think of the anticipation of waiting and if you opened it early you would be disappointed with yourself because you didn't wait!!

  17. I would like to say I would wait but I know I would be trying to peek inside. I am sure I would try to open it carefully and then hope I could re-wrap it!

  18. I think your neice would love for you to wait. Take pictures of the event!

    Laurie

    Lavan29@hotmail.com

  19. What you remember down the road is what mattters…let her remember the genuine excitment on your face when she opens them. That's what is going to make her smile.

  20. Invite your niece over ASAP and rip em open TOGETHER! (:

    -farihah

    farihahkamali@live.com

  21. There's no way I could wait…just one little peek!

    mmfavorite at gmail

  22. I think you should wait. It would be sweet to open them together with your niece.

  23. There's no way I could wait…just one little peek!

    mmfavorite at gmail

  24. wait until your niece comes! ahhh love surprises too but definitely wait for her!

  25. One: I need to make those cupcakes, they sound fabulous.

    Two: Those candle holder/cupcake toppers are stinkin adorable and I so hope I win. ;)

    Three: I would try my hardest to wait for my niece. :) Even though I would want to rip 'em open and see whats inside. You're niece will be so excited. :)

    Good luck everyone!

  26. Even though I'm a big fan of surprises, I say keep it all nice and packaged up, then you and your niece can have a great surprise together! Next time you get a mysterious wrapped box, well that one is game for destruction!
    deusjesmachina@gmail.com

  27. Wait for your helper. She would be so excited.

  28. as much as i want to do the right thing……i would RIP IT OPEN NOW!!!! for the love of all things that are sweet and delicious…OPEN IT NOW!!!!

    okay. fine. wait. it's the right thing to do.

    but i'll TOTALLY keep your secret if you decide you just can't take it and want to OPEN IT NOW!

    :)

  29. It would kill me, but I'd wait! Just put them out of sight so you won't be tempted! Can't wait till you reveal what's inside. When's your niece coming again?? :)

  30. Oh! I totally think you should wait! It will be so worth it to open them together and see what surprises await…thouth I totally understand the overcoming desire to OPEN OPEN OPEN! Good luck!

  31. Ugh.. I hate that! I'd say wait! It'll be worth it!

  32. Ya…im not good with that kind of advice, so good luck with that! But, I would love those toppers and a couple of cute little kids I have would love to see them on top of their cupcakes :)

    knobbylegs@gmail.com

  33. Yeah, yeah….everyone says wait but come on…..I'm a big fan of your blog….willpower is NOT one of your strengths! :) LOL

  34. I say WAIT! It is almost like Christmas, there are some that can put presents out early and forget, and others that just can't stand it and peek :)
    WAIT!
    WAIT!

  35. I would have to open just one end really carefully and peak in there….but that's just me…i'm too curious.

  36. I would definitely wait and open them together. Just think how fun it'd be for each of you to discover a fun little surprise at the same time!

  37. I LOVE suspense and surprise, so I would wait to open every time. Sometimes, since I live so far away from my family, I tell myself I need to get the chores done first, before I open a package from home. It's more fun that way :)
    Kath

  38. Since you asked what we would do, not what you should do…I would open that puppy up! My little helper would still be surprised and thrilled to open something up too, and at least I'd have the restraint not to open BOTH up myself! ;)

  39. I would wait, I am pretty good about that, but others in my household would have opened them already and then not even bothered apologizing about their impatience…! can't wait to see what you got.

  40. I think you should wait. "Patience is a virtue" and you are virtuous, right?!?!? Thanks for the chance to win.

  41. I would be making a play date to have her over as soon as possible so that you can open them soon.

  42. As much as I would rip them both open right now and then rewrap them, I vote for waiting on your little helper. It would be so much fun to open them together!

  43. even though it is difficult to wait…you gotta. sorry not going to get the OK to sneak. LOL

  44. I would also wait. I am not good at surprises, though.

  45. I'd be so tempted but I'd wait for the little helper. It's just twice the fun with their excitement!

  46. I couldn't wait.

  47. I would wait, but call your little helper and ask her to come as soon as possible, like NOW!!
    email: rusharawaf_at_gmail

  48. open them and re-wrap them! that's what I would do!

    moochmonkey@gmail.com

  49. I too would be tempted to open them both and then re-wrap, but you should probably wait until your little helper returns. It will give you something to look forward to. Plus all that wondering will be a good way to get those creative juices flowing. Hope it is worth the wait!

  50. There's nothing like a long wait to heighten antici…..pation! :)

    ~ Kelly

  51. rip it open now!

  52. leave it as a surprise. theres nothing better than the face that appears for a surprise!

  53. I say peek, then quickly reseal the box :)

    powerpuffgrrrl at hotmail dot com

  54. I think you should bake even more adorable creations so that you have more to post on your blog!

    AND also, perhaps you can try to come up with a list of the most fun things you and your niece can do together. It's very important that this list be perfect (wink wink) and I'm sure it'll take you until she arrives to make it JUST so!

    Thanks for the chance to win these – they're so cute I can hardly stand it!!

    (I'm not sure how to make sure you can get in touch with me if, I mean WHEN I win without posting it for the whole blog-world to see…! Can YOU see it w/o me posting it? I sure hope so!)

  55. Rip it open!!!!

  56. save till you neice comes, but take a peek…ha…I am so bad.

  57. Well it all depends on how long you have to wait. If it's just a day or two, wait it out. If it's a week or more, I would rip into my own just to see what it is and then wrap it back up so I could share the experience with my little helper.

  58. Those are darling! I like the monkey the best. And you should definately wait! Surprises are the BEST!!

  59. Owwww these are so cute.

    Please hold our for your neice! It will be so much more special! (I bet you don't!!!!)

    Nicky
    (www.alittlebitprecious.blogspot.com)

  60. I think you should forget about worrying about whether to wait or not to wait..

    and post both packets to me :) I will keep them safe…. or start a dilemma-related competition of my own as to whether I should keep them safe for you or Keep them for myself? :P

    kking_84@tpg.com.au

  61. Hummmm, I know it would be tempting, but I would wait for my niece to open them ) Love the cupcake toppers, those would be perfect for my son's 1st birthday! Love your blog, gonna make those apple pops for Open House!
    Shana
    skcactusflower75@hotmail.com

  62. Open yours and post a picture for all of us, and then make sure your niece doesn't get to check your website until after she's opened hers. I love reading your site, thanks!
    kellycrowe1@hotmail.com

  63. Wait wait wait waittttttttt!! And then take a million photos and share them with us! :)

  64. Wait until your helper comes so you can two can share in the fun suprise. you should have a contest for people to guess whats inside.
    kmdevine04@hotmail.com

  65. Man, people are much nicer than I. I say rip it open! Maybe not the niece's, but certainly your own. Really, is it going to make her feel that fabulous that you waited? My siblings would be like, "Yeah? And?"

  66. Oh, I'm not very good at surprises. I say open yours and watch your niece's delighted surprise when she gets to open hers. :)

  67. OPEN IT!!! No wait – don't do it – it's better to wait, no matter how hard it is :)

  68. I say, wait for your niece before you rip. She'll have just as much fun opening it as you would. Besides what kid doesn't like ripping open a present?

  69. I think you should wait for your niece. Your joy and satisfaction will be multiplied!

  70. open it now! :)

  71. I guess that depends on how long you have to wait. If over a week…open now!

  72. I can hardly stand the cuteness of those toppers! I know the best thing to do is to wait and open the goodies together with your niece, but I would probably cave and open mine right now! :P

  73. I would try to sneak peaks but ultimately I would wait too :-)

  74. I love my nieces as if they were my own…so if in your shoes..I'd wait to open the gifts together…it'd be more fun! Plus, maybe they coordinate with eachother :)

    arbonnetinnie@yahoo.com

  75. You probably should wait…it's hard though, speaking for myself – I'm not much of a wait-er. :)

  76. Open them together…more fun that way!

  77. I think you should just wait. PIck her up early if you have too. LOL :O)

  78. Who doesn't love surprises?? I say you rip into yours to see what's in there because I couldn't wait to see what is inside, then leave the other one for your niece and she can have fun ripping that one open and then you get to see the "surprise factor" in action again when her face lights up at what's inside!! Come on, you know you want to =)

  79. No question…open them both! And then immediately take a picture and show us what you got.
    k8slong(at)msn(dot)com

  80. it depends on how long it will be until you see your niece! (or until i saw my niece) i could probably wait it out for a few days, but if it were longer, i'd totally peek and rewrap, then open together!

  81. I love surprises! Anticipation is fun! I would wait.

    If I am chosen you can contact me through my website – http://lauraezolnoski.com/cooking

  82. I would open mine….

    kjgirl39@gmail.com

  83. wait until your niece comes — what a fun way to start a visit. :)

  84. Wait and open them together!

  85. I would recommend waiting – will totally add to the moment if you are both surprised at the same time!

  86. Such cute wrapping! Open yours RIGHT THIS MINUTE! She can open hers when she comes. I could not stand to wait even this long!

  87. I would open them right away, but I think you should wait. :)

  88. I would try to wait, but I can't handle suspense, so I would end up opening it! Angela
    brangbywater@msn.com

  89. Wait for your niece. Anticipation is half the fun.

  90. Open that blased thing – RIGHT NOW!!!! : -) I can't handle surprises…. can't you tell : -0

  91. I couldn't wait. So I would immediately pop your nieces in the mail. The moment she receives it get on Skype and open them at the same time. Then take pictures and post them. Good luck.

  92. Wait for your little helper!

  93. I think you should open your's… why? Because, as a youngest sibling, I have no patience for surprises. I HAVE TO KNOW NOW!

    kelsey.pine@gmail.com

  94. I would open yours and rewrap, but I'm bad like that. Cupcake toppers are SO cute!

  95. I would wait… Open both gifts when you have someone special there to help you.

  96. RIP REWRAP!!RIP REWRAP!!
    RIP REWRAP!!RIP REWRAP!!
    RIP REWRAP!!RIP REWRAP!!
    RIP REWRAP!!RIP REWRAP!!
    RIP REWRAP!!RIP REWRAP!!

  97. See… I know the PC answer is to wait until your neice is there. My gut reaction is to Rip it open and see what's in there!! Of course, the middle of the road answer is to open it up; see what ya got!; and then seal it back up and act surprised with your neice!!!

  98. How cute!! I would have the same dilemma but you should wait for your niece! I can't wait to see what it is.

  99. I'm with Jewelz on this one. If you have a "preview + rewrap" then you can have your camera at the ready when your niece opens her box to capture her surprise.

    Waiting would kill me!!!!!

    The cupcake toppers are flipping adorable!!

    tracypace at gmail dot com

  100. I say wait until your little helper gets there and be surprised together! How fun!

  101. I would first, not have posted a picture of the original wrapping on your blog :-). Then, I would tear them both open and re-wrap them both and open them together. (Not that I've ever done that or anything ;-)

  102. i'd say you should be the grown up here and wait for your neice, but…TEAR THAT SUCKER OPEN!!!

  103. Totally wait for your little niece to open them!! How fun to open them together!
    Lissa
    Missajean@hotmail.com

  104. I think waiting for your neice is the way to go…
    Renee
    clintonfive@mac.com

  105. You better wait. You can do it.

  106. Very smart Lollipop! You've got to wait for your neice…I'm not sure that I actually could, but it's easy to tell you that you should!
    sylviarj at yahoo dot com

  107. It would be fun with your neice, but if you are anything like me you will never be able to wait…rip 'em open!
    gilbertcandise at yahoo.com

  108. I would wait, hard as it would be… There are not enough surprises in the world – take advantage when you can!

  109. I would TRY to wait for her. And then in three days I'd tear them both open wildly and then re-wrap them. >_<

    But that's just me.

  110. I would unwrap & rewrap. I'm just patient like that!
    these are ADORABLE!
    sarahbenson@shaw.ca

  111. I think you should definitely wait for your "little helper" to open it with you- what a fun surprise it will be for you BOTH! And don't forget that handy camera of yours to capture her face when she gets the gift!!
    -Ashleigh
    (ashleighdawn24@gmail.com)

  112. The suspense is killing me, but I would still wait. It'll be so much more fun to open it with your niece!

  113. Definitely wait. She will feel so special to know that you waited just for her to open yours. And those cupcakes are super cute!

  114. Definitely wait, if you don't then you won't feel jaded when she opens hers. Surprises are best done together!!!! Have fun!
    Cheers,
    Margaret B

  115. aaww…open them together, it will be more fun that way (and the suspense will build even longer!)

  116. I'd wait and open them together. :-)

  117. Rip those suckers open, well your sucker. Then you can re-wrap yours if you want to and reopen it with your niece.

  118. Well that is just too much cuteness in one place! It all depends on how soon you'll see your little helper… if it's soon, I would wait. If it will be awhile.. well, that's a different story. :)

  119. I'd say it depends on how often your niece normally visits. If it's more than a few weeks, you should definitely open yours… But don't peek into hers!

    http://www.peanutbutterandpajamas.blogspot.com

  120. I really like to think I'd save both so we could open them together, but I know that wouldn't be reality. I'd be opening ATLEAST mine.

  121. Most certainly you should wait….it will create that special moment that great memories are made of!!!
    akardal@gmail.com

  122. Open yours now! Then when your niece comes, don't show it to her until she's opened hers.

  123. Oh my Lordy are those adorable. Banana cupcakes with monkeys? Wayyyy too cute.

  124. I think you should wait and open them together…but if it were me, I have Z-E-R-O willpower and would have torn that paper to shreds by now!

  125. I would put them somewhere out of sight in order to not be tempted before the little helper arrives and then wait to open them with her. Easier said than done, but worth it! Have fun :)

  126. oh – I didn't leave my suggestion!

    Open them together!! It will be a double surprise. I'm sure it's hard to wait – but it'll be worth it!

    xoxox
    Maryellen

  127. You should totally wait…as much as it is going to eat you up inside!!

  128. Make your niece's day. Wait for her.

  129. I always wait to open presents (I've never peaked at a present), even if it's really hard. So I say wait, it'll be even more fun that way.

    Though I'm curious to see what you got, so maybe you should open it…

  130. You need to wait… it will be that much more awesome.

  131. ooooh, you should totally wait! as the great spock rightly notes, having is not always as great as wanting.
    -adrianne
    adrianne.m.lafrance@gmail.com

  132. What if whatever is in the box is perishable? You'll want to open it before it goes bad!

  133. OMG! I LOVE THESE!!!

    THEY'RE DELICOUSLY ADORABLE!!

    XOXOXOXO
    MARYELLEN

  134. Hm. If you can wait, you probably should. If you can't, just open yours.
    I personally would probably just open mine, and then when the niece comes, she can open hers.

    My email is JamieWilcox@Comcast.net

    Thanks!

  135. Wait and open it together – that's my vote… although I'm dying to see what's inside :-)
    caelej(at)hotmail(dot)com

  136. I would probably wait, but depending on how long the wait was going to be I might have to take a peek and re-wrap them!

  137. I *say* open them with your niece but the cuteness of those little boxes would make me open them in a frenzy of flying polka-dotted paper!

    uaxostacy at hotmail dot com

  138. Personally, I'd grab an exacto knife to open it (just yours), take a peek, and carefully wrap it back up again… but that doesn't mean I think you SHOULD.

    theoneandonlyliz@gmail.com

  139. I wouldn't be able to wait. You should open it.
    kds012@yahoo.com

  140. I actually LOVE surprises. Especially when it's something like this! Waiting longer actually makes it THAT much better when you finally do open it!

  141. That package should be torn into by an adorable little girl, so definitely wait! Her reaction will be priceless :o)

  142. I think you should allow your niece to open them. That way you get to experience the surprise together!

    Jen

    jensalz@yahoo.com

  143. I wish I could wait, but I would open and then scramble to make them look perfect as I re-wrapped them. :)

    http://goodtimesandchaos.blogspot.com/

  144. I would wait, but I would have to hide them somewhere so I didn't have a moment of weakness!
    allhomesewn at hotmail.com

  145. I think I would have to rip it open the moment I got it. Birthday adn Christmas present torture me. :)
    I Love the little candle holders they are just too cute!!!

    jred_88 at yahoo.com

  146. Oh my goodness! Those are so stinkin' cute!

    As for your question, I think I would wait and open them together. Although, I'd like to know what's in there. *lol*

    Email: harrison.jamie (at yahoo)

  147. open open! I couldn't wait!
    asm388@yahoo.com

  148. If I were you, I would wait until your niece comes. I love the look on little kids' faces when they open up surprises. It'll be more fun for her if you open up your surprise at the same time. It might be hard for you to wait, though – it would be hard for me! :-) Have a wonderful day and keep creating beautiful treats!

    ~Linny~

  149. I think you should open them together.. so get her over there ASAP so we cal all see what's inside!!

  150. I would wait: surprises are always best shared, especially with the people we love!

  151. OMG! those toppers are ADORABLE! I would wait and open them together. It will be a fun moment to have both your reactions happen at the same time! :)

  152. Endure the butterflies in the tummy and wait until she gets there. Rip into it at the same time. You'll both get a big kick out of it. She'll love you forever.
    Tell her before she gets there and make her just as anxious as you!

  153. I'd have a hard time waiting so I'd have to hid it from myself…or call and have her come over right then! Surprises are fun but I get pretty anxious…wendy (thewebsterfamily@gmail.com)

  154. What would I do? It depends on which nephew I'm talking about: Joe, I'd wait; JT, I'd pop that thing open and pretend that he didn't get anything, and then surprise him by tucking it in his backpack later. He's constantly leaving little presents for me in my purse, so it's about time I return the favor!

    gnomees@yahoo.com

  155. I think you should get the blow-dryer out, pry up the tape, take a look inside, then wrap it up all pretty again. Your niece will never know. Win-Win!!!
    amyfanderson@msn.com

  156. It will be hard but you will love it even more if you wait and open with your niece. :)

    Michelle
    mnhub-junk (at) yahoo (dot) com

  157. If it were just me, I'd tear right in! But for my niece, I'd wait so that we could have the surprise together.

  158. It would be so neat to look at all the things they could have sent and try and guess. Waiting will make the opening that much more sweet!

  159. I would have to just rip into them!!!!

  160. I would insist that she come over right away so you don't have to wait! Can't wait to find out…..

  161. I would look at them and then never tell her…actually I would wait because surprises are always fun!

  162. I vote for waiting and opening them together!

  163. When is the next time your niece is coming? If its gonna be awhile, I would send one of the gifts to her in the mail. Then open them together on Skype!

  164. I would wait to open them together with your niece. Even though waiting is hard there is something thrilling about the wait, and it makes the opening all the more exciting!

  165. Super cute toppers. At first I thought you made them. I wouldn't be surprised.

    If I were you I would open both boxes and the re-wrap one of them. Thanks for a chance to win the toppers.

    Thanks for the recipe! I'll have to try it next time.

  166. Gently shake them. Sniff them. Take them to an X-ray machine even! Ahhh, can't wait to see!

  167. i say wait untill your helper's there, thats what id want if i were her….. although i'd understand either way.

  168. Can you just go get your niece right now??? Then waiting would be a whole lot easier. So I vote wait, but make the wait verrry short!
    mommyo @ gmail.com

  169. I have no self-control. I'd open it.

  170. Oh, just wait until your niece comes back. You know it'll be ten thousand times better when you open it together!

    gallaure at yahoo dot com

  171. It would be hard, but I would definitely wait…it'll be sweeter! marly dot coldiron at gmail dot com

  172. Wait to open it with your niece!

  173. wait for your neice…nothing like the utter surprise and joy from a child! it will make you sooooo happy to see her face and to share in it together!

    traci
    fonziedog@msn.com

  174. Suuuuch cuteness! As much as I myself have absolutely no patience, I think you really should wait for your niece…. It's only right. :)

  175. I would try to wait and open them with my niece, but I probably would sneak a peek and then re-wrap them. :)

  176. Oh definitely wait for you niece, and make sure you get her reaction on camera! If the inside is as good as the outside it's going to be awesome!

  177. WAIT!
    I know it's difficult…but so worth it!

    (annamonapia@hotmail.com)

  178. Wait for the niece. :D
    melany710@gmail.com

  179. There is absolutely no way in the world I could wait! I would open mine for sure, and would peek and then re-wrap hers! :o) So very cute!

    stephanie925 at gmail.com

  180. Wait for your little helper…what little girl wouldn't LOVE ripping into a package like that??

  181. Those are adorable!

    Definitely wait for your niece. Shared surprises are far more exciting than opening it alone.

    :)

  182. I'd totally open it…I spoil surprises too…nah, really I'd wait…unless it was like a really long time and then I'd peak and then wait:)

  183. I vote for waiting to open the boxes with your niece, although I have a very hard time waiting to open surprises too.

  184. Wait! Shared surprises are always more fun. And especially when they are with someone special!
    gwlpmom@gmail.com

  185. Out of guilt…I think I would have to wait until my niece was with me to open them both! :)

    So, good decision on your behalf!

    thisthatandmyblog@gmail.com

  186. As much as I would want to open them up…I'd wait.

  187. I'm not sure how I came across your blog but I LOVE it! I WILL be making these cupcakes for my Boys they LOVE anything with Banana!!!

    I also think you should wait for your niece:)

  188. Wait for your niece!

  189. I would try to wait until she got there. But I would probably end up opening and then re-wrapping if it took longer than a few days. :)

  190. Open it, open it NOW!! I have the patience of a two year old, so if I was you I would have 'accidently' opened it and then re-wrapped it for the little helper!
    marina.barrett@telstra.com

  191. Ooohh…tempting! I would get her over there ASAP!

    I would want to open them, possibly rewrap the other until she comes. I would definitely wait until she comes though and open it together. It would me much to tempting to open yours and then keep wondering what is in hers!

    codiweeks@gmail.com

  192. I can't wait to see what is in those PRETTY packages!!! Go for it! Inquiring minds want to know! :)

  193. open it. absolutely.

  194. AdORaBle – both the toppers and the wrapped packages. You should definately wait untile your niece "helper" comes…but you need to call immediately – maybe right now – even though she is most certainly in bed…and make arrangements that she must come for a visit sooner than planned. I don't think I could wait too long, and I'm pretty sure shaking the boxes would not be a good idea. Can't wait to see!

  195. Holy smokes! Those are so cute! I would definitely open them ASAP! I wouldn't be able to handle the anticipation! Great giveaway!

    Michelle7997(at)yahoo(dot)com

  196. Well I would chose to wait. And everytime that I passed the package it would make my mind wonder and the pressure would get worse and worse to open it but I would stick to my decision until that one time that was the straw that broke the camels back and I would break. The guilt would be overwhelming and then I would be forced to buy another gift for my "little helper", to clear my causcience.

    custard_goddess04@yahoo.com

  197. Wait. It will be so much fun to open together. And you can tell her you waited for her since the packages were for you and your helper. She will feel special.

  198. I would only open mine but I was be soooo curious as to what was in the other box!! :)

    moseylou@gmail.com

  199. Wait!!! It will make the surprise even sweeter :)

    Melissa