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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, and my email address is tj.shauna@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon!

  2. I'd wait, for sure. I love surprises and really have no problem waiting most of the time!

  3. Tear into those babies right this second!!! What are you waiting for ??!!!
    Also, at first glance I thought those candle holders were your cake pops made around golf tees with a candle poked in the top…hmmm, not a bad idea huh?
    dwear1218@yahoo.com

  4. Wait! Wait! The suspense if half the fun!!! Just please remember to let us get a peek of what's inside. We're dying to know, too!
    Elise
    elisehayles@gmail.com

  5. You definitely want to wait until your neice comes to visit; it'll be so much fun to share the surprise. :)

    rahlennon@yahoo.com

  6. Definitely wait. It will give you something to look forward to! =)

    snbjork@yahoo.com

  7. I think you should wait until your neice comes to open them. It'll be more fun to open the surprise together! It will also make it that much more fun to open the package since you have been waiting so long in anticipation!

  8. you'd better get your niece over there quick!! what's inside??!

  9. I'd wait but the suspense would come close to killing me dead. I'd probably shake the box and risk ruining whatever was inside but I'd definitely wait. I don't feign excitement well enough to rip and rewrap.

    rsparkes1@cogeco.ca

  10. OMG!! I would have opened mine immediately! Definitely let your niece open hers though. I hope you post pics of what you got, I can't wait to see!!

  11. DEFINITELY wait for little helper! It'll be like christmas in august =]

  12. Really? I'd wait! It will be so much more fun!

  13. Am I the only one who would open them both? However, I learned the hard way once…at Christmas when I sneakily opened a present-that I thought was a "Hit Stix" but turned out to be a boring "curling iron"-then carefully taped again…I could fake the wrapping but not the lack of excitement when opening it "for real"…I'm sure that the gifts contain something MUCH more exciting than a curling iron, but still-WAIT! :)

    jillianrutledge@catholic.org

  14. I would wait for your niece. But maybe take a little peak? haha No, wait.

    annsteele2004@yahoo.com

  15. Open and re-wrap both. Why not?

    Jennifer
    beachgirl4ever@yahoo.com

  16. Open them via video chat with her!

    …or open yours and then re-wrap it so you can open them together, but the anticipation won't drive you crazy! :)

  17. That IS ultimate cuteness. I'd wait for your little helper…so much more fun that way!

  18. I've got two kids of my own, so I know how fun it is to have children help you open gifts. I would wait for your niece. I bet she'd love to help you eat those lollipops too!

  19. Definately wait, the anticipation is wonderful!!!

  20. open them together…those kind of memories are so fun to collect!!

  21. you should wait, half the joy of opening something is watching the younger ones reaction…love your blog
    Barb
    tern0@shaw.ca

  22. Wait. It will be better – like Christmas – anticipation, excitement, enjoying it together.

  23. That's a tough one!!! I would definitely be tempted to rip 'em open, but I would wait for your niece. It will be so much fun to open them together!!!

    I can't wait to find out what's inside! :o)

  24. they are begging to be rip shredded open…but wait! anticipation is half the fun! leslee(L8YCHEF@cox.net)

  25. such cute toppers!

    I can't stand surprises I'm way too impatient, so I would have to open both!

    Meredith
    caylin08@yahoo.com

  26. As much as I wouldn't be able to wait, I think it would make it much more special if you both opened them together. The reward of seeing your niece's face after you both tear that paper off would be worth it.

  27. I know it is hard to wait, but I think you should. Your niece will love opening hers at the same time as her favorite aunt.

  28. You should definitely wait and open them together. Surprises are the best.
    Of course, you have to show us when it gets opened because we are itching to know.
    Stacey
    Stacey.mccauley@gmail.com

  29. You know you have to wait for her, how fun will it be to open them together?

  30. I think you should wait for your little helper. It will make the surprise so much sweeter for the both of you!

  31. You should wait until she gets there and open them together. Plus, they are beautifully wrapped so they make great kitchen decor while you wait! (I'm not saying *I* would wait. Just saying *you* should. I would open mine, but I would not open hers. Well, most likely I wouldn't, anyways).

  32. I would try my darndest (sp?) to wait, but I don't know how long I would make it. Maybe if you put them in a closet somewhere out of sight…

  33. Just wait until your neice comes, the look on her face when she opens the package will be worth the wait, even thought it may be tough you can do it!

  34. I think you should wait for your neice, but that would be a very hard thing for me to do. But remember that great sacrifice produces greater reward! :)

  35. I would rip into it now… of course I would do so carefully so I could re-wrap the package and re-open it later with the little helper. I could never have a fun surprise like this around my house without knowing what was in the box. Well… goodluck with waiting :)

  36. I say wait…..it will be more fun opening them together.

  37. I would totally open the package meant for me and save the one for my little helper. I love a surprise, but once it's sitting there in front of me, I can't help myself! kendra (dot) brandon (at) gmail (dot) com

  38. Wait for your niece! Won't it be fun for her to share the suprise?!

  39. i'm sure there are some sweet treats but you should defentaly wait till the helpers return then you both get a surprise

  40. I think you should wait for your neice.
    Nicole
    t5nrlouden@yahoo.com

  41. I would go visit my niece soon and open them together! Any excuse to go and visit family!

  42. I think you just need to invite your niece over ASAP and open them together! It'll be a much sweeter surprise to see them at the same time!

  43. You should wait to open them up!!!

  44. I would probably open then rewrap it 'cause I'm tricky like that.

  45. I would open it NOW!!!!!

    Cuteness!

    Lori
    lorifranklin@verizon.net

  46. Um, I think you should wait and open it together. I know it is killing you not to open it but you both would have much more fun if you waited!! I wanna know what ya got so let us know… Thanks!!
    Wesley
    wesleyhillis_15@hotmail.com

  47. If you can, wait till the helper BUT I wouldn't blame you if you opened and rewrapped. The look on her face will be enough excitement to relive the surprise all over again! :)

  48. It would be tempting but I'd wait until you could open them together.

    Ann
    anntembl@chartermi.net

  49. I think you should carefully open them, see what's inside, and then wrap them back up to re-open with your niece!
    sneaky and fun!

  50. My grandma always used to wait for me to come visit her before she opened packages with baking supplies. She knew that I would be delighted for both my surprise and for hers! What beautiful wrapping paper too! The lollipop is just perfect!

    hoyer827@live.missouristate.edu

  51. I'd for sure open mine…just to be sure that whatever was in there was, um, appropriate for a child. Yeah…that's the reason. It's all in the name of child safety :-)

  52. I know waiting is probably the right thing to do… BUT… I wouldn't be able to take it! I would call your niece and tell her about it and express how the suspense is killing you and see if she minded that you open yours with her on the phone, so she could take part in the excitement! Can't wait to see what's inside! … Good Luck!
    nikkilei0785@hotmail.com

  53. As tempting as it may be, I would wait until you both can open them together & then top off your surprise w/ cupcakes & homemade ice cream. YUM!

  54. Wait for your niece, then take pictures as she opens her gift. More fun for all of us! :)
    Kate
    kate (dot) marenzi (at) gmail (dot) com

  55. I would so wait! I can hardly wait until my nieces are old enough to help with such funness!

  56. You should wait. It makes it that much more exciting! And she'll feel really special cuz you both are sharing an experience together!

  57. I would wait. It would be so much fun to share that moment with her, to see her face. Wait. :-)

    ~Stefanie
    sanderson@mrcc.org

  58. Ok, the box too cute to not touch, but imagine how special it's going to be to open it together and see the great things inside, plus you can both play a game: write down what you think is in the box and see who gets closer.

  59. I love surprises, but when it comes to surprising others – always better to have information! So – I would open (to make sure she'll love them and to know how you can use them) and then re-wrap (because the wrapping is too cute) and open with her.

    I made my first Cake Pops this weekend with leftover carrot cake and oh so yummy. My kids were beside themselves with joy!

    jsray@bellsouth.net

  60. Anticipation is worth it's weight in gold. It'll drive you crazy, but will be worth the wait. I can only imagine the cuteness inside those darling packages!

  61. option number 4!!!

    we did that one year from christmas and boy did we get in trouble lol

    i hate surprises so i would open it first!

  62. every time i read your blog, i want to stop what i'm doing and make your cute little creations :) thanks so much for your inspiration!

  63. Eeee, that would be hard for me to wait! Hopefully your niece is coming over soon because I think you should hold out for her. Those packages are beautiful!
    Jamie
    jamieland@gmail.com

  64. i would wait as well. the excitement and the anticipation will be the moment so sweet!!

    rebekahskitchen(at)live(dot)com

  65. Those are toooooo cute!

  66. Wait, but get your niece over there ASAP!

    Also, I have a banana cupcake recipe that I use, but I frost them with CARAMEL buttercream. It's just softened butter, caramel, and confectioner's sugar whipped together, and is super yummy, especially with the banana.

  67. I'd wait and open them together. Even though it might kill me, it would be worth the wait.

  68. you have to wait!! oooh just think how much fun it will be! the anticipation is half the fun when it comes to presents!!

  69. I would imidiately make a "date" to have my niece come over as soon as possible. And try very hard to wait. Even just the wrap looks so wonderful, can't wait to hear what's inside!

    Jen VG
    cressida4@hotmail.com

  70. always adorable

    lovesfooled at gmail dot com

  71. Open both & re-wrap later!

    ahnxyoung@yahoo.com

  72. I don't know where your niece lives, so if it's far away, I think you should MAIL her the little package and then you can open them together over the phone, or even on a webcam, for ultimate fun and excitement. PLUS, kids LOVE getting packages in the mail, and the anticipation of them!!!

    Thanks for the chance to win this!

    katie at dekabyte dot com

  73. I would wait, but I would really, really want to open mine right away!

  74. I would wait for your neice although hard it will be worth it!!

    hcrystal82@aol.com

  75. Oh I'd wait.
    Hope I win!

    :~)

    ~K!

  76. I would…Rip it open now!!! But don't open her's! That way if you've opened yours already there is still some surprise when she come's!!
    Just my thought!!

  77. wait & open them together! The anticipation never killed anyone & the joy of seeing it with her and watching her expressions while she opened them will be worth all that anticipation. Hope you will post pictures of the grand opening!

  78. I say open yours but wait and let your niece open hers, you can make it a special thing, all about her and what a great helper she is!

  79. YEEEEEEEEEES!

    OPEN OPEN OPEN !

    Rip open it now and show us what's inside! (but keep your niece gift intact… we're not monsters!)

    emilie*dot*bergeret*at*gmail*dot*com

  80. I would wait to open them both until she gets there. There is nothing more glorious than watching a kid open fun stuff!
    mrsriff@earthlink.net

  81. I would have a hard time waiting…but you probably should. :)

    princesshaley5700@yahoo.com

  82. I would wait to open them…the surprise just gets sweeter with suspense!

    themofh at gmail dot com

  83. its funny, i was looking at that etsy shop yesterday! so maybe its meant to be.;)

    y don't u go and visit ure neice!lol.either that or dont touch them till xmas..lol.yeh rite!

    http://www.booheadswife.com

  84. I would recommend waiting…but if it were me the presents would already be opened and rewrapped!

  85. I would make her come visit immediately – like go kidnap her – and open up the boxes together.

  86. I'll be honest…. I'd probably open them ;) Or at least mine!
    Tay
    Tayfarfalla@aol.com

  87. As much as I would want to rip it open and see what could be inside that cute wrapping…. I would wait and open it with your cute little helper. It's always more exciting to watch kids open presents!

  88. Ooooh.. I'm sure I would TRY to wait to open it.. but I'm sure that wouldn't last long! :)

    bell.julie@gmail.com

  89. I'll be honest…. I'd probably open them ;) Or at least mine!
    Tay
    Tayfarfalla@aol.com

  90. Wait and open them together.

    Jenhartin@optonline.net

  91. oooo! too fun! it should be a surprise! open it with your niece. <3
    bazmaroo@aol.com

  92. I love surprises but can't be patient enough to wait for them! If I were in this situation, I would go visit my niece and bring it with me, thus getting a visit in, surprising her with the gift, AND getting to open it! Everyone wins!

  93. I'd get your niece back ASAP and get those boxes opened!!!

  94. I personally would wait, simply because its a rare thing for me to be totally surprised. Plus, your little helper would have such fun opening with you! We can stand the suspense! Thanks for the chance to win!

  95. Oh! I think you should wait. But that's easier for me to say than for you to do! I would totally tear into them and then try to tape the adorable wrapping back together. I'm sure that I would get caught.
    edaughen@yahoo.com

  96. wait for both – if you give in and just open yours it will be too hard not to peep at hers too! :)

  97. I would wait and open them with my niece especially since she sent one for the little helper. But I would encourage my niece to come over as soon as possible, so you didn't have to wait long.
    Morgan

    sparkles00016@bellsouth.net

  98. I think you shuld wait and let your niece rip into them. You will enjoy seeing her excitment just as much as if you did it yourself if not more.

  99. Wait until your niece comes!

  100. Wait!! It will be so fun to open them together!

  101. Oh I think you should open yours NOW!!! But save the one for your niece to open when she visits…how fun!!!!!
    snowfamily418@yahoo.com

  102. I'd wait… will be fun to open them together! :)

    Awesome giveway! Too cute!

  103. The photos are gorgeous!! I say wait. As much as it pains me to say it, just wait :)

  104. Much as I would want to rip mine open right now, I would wait until my niece arrived. I think you will have more fun opening the packages together.

    paule-marie

  105. You should totally wait and open the surprises together. The wait will make it that much sweeter. I'm dying to know what you got, so please post pictures.

    briecherie@gmail.com

  106. I understand the temptation, but as an Aunt myself, I vote that you wait. It will be twice as nice when you finally get to open the packages!!

    Anne

    anne@flourboxbakery.com

  107. Open the boxes!!!!

  108. Your Niece will feel so blessed to know that she has an Aunt that is willing to endure the hard task of NOT opening that adorable package. That in itself is an awesome gift she will never forget.

    Envirogrrrl@yahoo.com

  109. Together is better! I think the excitement would be ten-fold for the both of you if you open them at the same time! =)

  110. Definitely wait for the "little helper". To make it easier on all of your readers, why don't you just pop over to her house and open them there! Win! Win! katiehigbee[at]gmail[dot]com

  111. Those look so good! Those toppers are pretty cute to!

  112. Oh man, that's a toughy… I say hide them away so they're not tempting you and wait for your niece to visit again, hopefully soon! Good luck!

    Aimee

    aimeesoelberg@gmail.com

  113. WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! Surprises are the best.

  114. Oh thats an easy one! lol..make it a celebration of sorts..when you and your niece finish a project and take a break to sample your work..break out the surprises and open them together!!! What fun!!!
    jmontpet@twcny.rr.com

  115. I think you should wait for your niece…surprises are best shared. The looks on her face will be worth the wait.

  116. wait and open them together…building up to the anticipation is half the fun of opening a package- although I can't wait to se what's in them either!!!:) those candletop holders- beyond cute! lacie_tidwell@yahoo.com

  117. I would like to think that I would wait for her to arrive…but I can't even shop early for Christmas because it makes me nuts waiting to give the present to someone…so rip the darn thing open NOW! LOL! These are just toooooooo cute!!!

  118. How fun will it be for her if you wait and open them together!! I think she will absolutely love that!! Definitely wait! (as hard as it will be!)

  119. Even though I really want to see what's inside, you HAVE To wait for your niece! She'll love that you waited to open them with her…plus, it will stretch out the anticipation!! :)

  120. I'm all for open up and show now. Ü
    But having said that, waiting for your niece would probably make it more special.

  121. You should decide to wait and then do as I would do:

    1. agonize over the waiting
    2. vow to wait until your niece comes back
    3. agonize some more
    4. call your niece and tell her about it
    5. get permission to open it early without her
    6. squeal and scream in delight
    7. watch your niece open hers when she visits again

    This way you get to celebrate twice. :)

  122. They look so cute, If it is going to be more than a day until she gets there. I would open it and then rewrap.

  123. I think you should wait!!! I love the anticipation.. a fun reward for some fun waiting.

  124. I love surprises too…and if I know little kids…your niece will be thrilled to open it up the next time she comes over…I say wait and do it together! As an added bonus, since you are such a great photographer, you could capture the moment by telling the story on another posting through pictures. Have fun! Patience is a virtue!

  125. Carefully cut them open and tape them back up to reopen with your neice. I did this for years w/ my x-mas presents.

    mlopshire@hotmail.com

  126. You must wait and open them together!! It will be more fun that way for both of you!

  127. I think you should wait! I just love surprises and sometime hate to open such pretty packaging. Just think, you can enjoy the gifts that much longer if they stay unopened. :)

  128. I would def wait! I love the look on a child's face as they open a present! I just love it!

  129. Wait for your helper! Just think of how special she's going to feel knowing that you really wanted to tear the package open, but you waited just for her. :)

  130. Definitely wait until your niece arrives!

  131. Oh you have to wait till your niece comes along. You just have to. The anticipation will be sooo worth it!

  132. I think you should wait! I just love surprises, and half of the fun is just looking at the packaging. You can enjoy the present that much longer. :)

  133. Hmmm.. that's a hard one. I would bake something cute to take your mind off the suspense and wait until your niece comes.

  134. Of course you need to wait for your little helper to come over so you can open them together! What fun!

  135. Uhhh depends on when your niece is coming! 2 weeks? Wait. 2 months? Open it!

  136. Good morning,

    I think you should wait and open them together…the moment will be a " Kodak's memory"…do not forget to take pictures!!
    Bst Regards,

    Patricia
    patasa@hotmail.com

  137. See, you get out a sharp pair of scissors, and you carefully slice through the tape on yours. You gently peel back the paper just a smidge, so you can see what's on the box. If it's not readily apparent, leave it alone and wait for your niece. If you can see what's printed on the box, then WOO HOO and let us know!

    lauramlyons@gmail.com

  138. The wrapping is adorable! Gotta wait.

  139. I would want to tear that open the minute I saw it, but I do think you should wait for you niece.. That would make it really fun!
    Marky P
    mpowell225@gmail.com

  140. Surprises are rare – relish the wait and share the excitement with your niece…then, we will all wait for you to reveal the surprise to us, too!
    Lacy
    lauzonl@sbcglobal.net

  141. Oh wait for your niece! Surprises are much better when they're shared!

  142. Oh my heck, love them!!! Wait to open, presents are always better when shared!

    jezzc@hotmail.com

  143. Wait and let it be one of thos moments where the two of you are "dying w/anticipation" trying to guess what's inside and the best part, one day years and years and years from now when you've forgotten what was wrapped in box your neice will tell the story to her kids on how excited she was to open it w/you :) – Then you'll remember the real gift wasn't what was in the box but the time you and your neice had trying to guess :)

    barbara@friendsfamilyandlaughter.com

  144. I think you should mail one to your niece, and then you can open them together at the same time over the phone, over perhaps over the web-cam!

    That way you get to open it sooner, and she gets a package in the mail, which kids love!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    katie at dekabyte dot com

  145. Oh, you so have to wait. That is aprt of the fun… opening the boxes together!

  146. Sometimes the anticipation is one of th4 best parts of the surprise. I think you should wait until your niece visits again so you can open them together.

    -Jenniffer
    http://cupadeecakes.blogspot.com

    jen[at]cupadeecakes[dot]com

  147. Those toppers are adorable! I'm on my way next to check out that shop =)
    I would definitely wait for your niece to arrive, I know she will be thrilled for you both to have a present to open.

  148. I would definitely wait! The surprise will be that much better!!

  149. Wait for your neice! It will make the surprise so much better for you both!

  150. I've never been overly curious or impatient, so I would wait. It will make the shared moment so much more fun! suzanne@impactyourwalls.com

  151. Wait to open them together.

  152. Definitely wait and open them with your lil helper…you get to experience the surprise together!

  153. I would put the boxes in the cupboard (so you don't have to see them) and wait for your helper. That way you can both squeal when you see the new cuteness!

  154. I forgot to log in before but definitely wait to share the surprise with your little helper!

  155. I would have to give it to my husband to hide for me until she was there to open her's also. I would WANT to wait but I know it would absolutely kill me!

  156. I'd definitely wait till she gets there. Then you can genuinely be surprised together. I'm also the person that waits until my actual birthday to open all the gifts, instead of opening them when they arrive. I like the suspense!!

  157. When is your 'little helper' coming again? I'm not sure I could wait! But it would be fun to share the surprise.

    chartman(dot)5(at)gmail(dot)com

  158. Wait wait!! It will be so much more fun!! :) that's so nice that they wrapped them up all super cute for you!

  159. Oh, the pain of waiting, but I think I would. How super special to open them together! I can't wait to see what you get!
    amy
    scarknees713@hotmail.com

  160. Ok, I would say wait…anticipation….then perhaps I would open and blame on "not-me" the little dust bunny that lives at our house. LOL
    MIMI43grlz+ aka sales@mageyes.com

  161. knowing me, i would rip into both of them immediately. then promptly feel bad for doing it, rewrap them and never tell anyone.

  162. Definitely wait! Enjoy being a kid again and feeling the excitement of "waiting" for santa! Can't wait to find out what the gift holds. How fun for you both!

  163. I'd wait and open them together!

  164. Definitely wait! Surprises are so much sweeter, especially when shared with a child.

  165. Definitely have to wait to open the gifts with your niece – that will be so much fun!

  166. I have no patience so I say open yours, but save the one for your niece until she visits again. :)

    You could always use whatever's inside it to make something special when she comes to visit and open hers! ;)

  167. Oh my goodness…1232 comments! Can you say we LOVE those toppers?!?!? :)

    My vote…RIP INTO IT NOW!!!

  168. open em open em open em open em!

  169. Rip em' open, then rewrap! I used to do that with my xmas gifts, if I could find where my parents hid them. They had to try harder every year. *laugh*
    Jennifer
    sibyll@verizon.net

  170. I would totally open it and then carefully wrap it back up! Who's gonna know?

  171. I wish so much you would open them and show us what's inside! But-Yes, the best thing to do is to wait for your neice!! That's what I would do…I think. It's different when the packages are just sitting there…

  172. Definitely wait for your niece! The guilt will eat you up if you peak!!

  173. I would wait and open them together.

  174. I know that I wouldn't be able to wait till my neice came over, but at the same time I bet the look on her face would be well worth the wait :)

  175. I would wait and let both of you open them at the same time:)

  176. I'm the kind of person that can't wait for surprises – I normally ruin my own surprises for other people as well… but I do love the feeling of being surprised, so if it were me, I'd wait until your niece visits again to share the joy!

  177. I bet it will be hard to wait, but she will be so excited I bet! I love the Monkeys!

  178. as much as i would want to rip into them at the first chance…i say wait for your little helper :) have fun and take pics!
    -leyla-
    leyflo@gmail.com

  179. I would wait–it'll be way more fun!

  180. I would say wait for your niece, she would love it.

  181. Rip yours open now and show us, I can't stand the suspense…… and your neice won't know you already opened yours, she will still be excited about hers.
    Also, I tried making your cupcake pops for the first time this weekend and my taste testers were willing to marry me, cos they said they tasted so good. Will definately be doing them again.
    Rima
    rimayunus@hotmail.com

  182. Wait if she is coming soon…otherwise, rip away!!

    Mandyrich

  183. you should wait, just another sweet thing you and your niece can share

  184. As much as I'm dying to see what's inside, I think you should wait until your niece can be there to open them with you.

  185. You should wait for your niece…share the joy and surprise-so much sweeter!
    texalaskan(@hotmail)

  186. I would open mine and save hers. That way you can see what is in yours and still get the surprise when she opens hers!

  187. You should definitely wait for your "little helper". It will make it much more exciting for both of you!
    I'm excited to see what you go!
    Sarah
    sexton13@comcast.net

  188. Sigh, I would wait for your niece to come, even though it's torture not knowing what's inside a package that you know came to you!

  189. Those are so cute! You must wait for your helper though to open those other irresistable boxes!

  190. You must hide it from yourself or have a friend hide it for you would be even better. Then you will forget about it. (not likely, but …) BUT you must leave yourself a note so you remember to get it out again when your niece comes. Then have a happy dance when she arrives and open your wonderful gifts together.
    hugs
    tonilea
    jiffy1212@aol.com

  191. I would open one of them, and then save the other one to open with your niece. That way, you both would get a surprise, but you could also be satisfied as of now.
    serenablue92@gmail.com
    Thanks!

  192. You should totally wait and open it with that adorable niece of yours. Surprises are awesome, especially to sweet little girls.

  193. Seriously, if I were you, I could not wait too long so you've either GOT to schedule a visit from your niece or open them up quickly (OR mail hers to her…another option).

    I think the candle holders are so cute. I am going to check out the etsy shop right now!

    Andrea
    acm0101atyahoodotcom

  194. I think you should wait…I know it will be hard but so worth it when your niece arrives!!

  195. I would want to rip right into them! But waiting for your niece will be so worth it!

    Make sure you take pictures!

  196. I think you should wait! Your little helper will love opening it with you!

  197. I'd have to say wait till your niece comes. That way you can both have something to rip open! Can't wait to see what they sent you.

  198. i think you should wait for her and open them together. it would be fun to do it together.
    kare

    pnkfoster@yahoo.com