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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. Wait for your niece. Ooh, the anticipation!!

  2. It would be so worth the wait to open it with your neice.

    missyp43@cox.net

  3. I love the dream sacks sleeveless long gown in pool – so pretty!

  4. I would arrange for the niece to come over as soon as possible and open them together – so much fun and a nice memory for her. :)

  5. I would totally open them both and rewrap.
    sag520@hotmail.com

  6. You've waited this long, so wait till your niece arrives. Often time the anticipation is more exciting then the contents,(but probaly not this time).

  7. Just because I'm bad at surprises doesn't mean you should be. I'd open it and call my niece, but I think you should wait because it's totally cute to share that moment with your niece.

  8. Oh, you will have just as much fun tearing into them (if not more) if you wait until your niece arrives. She will feel very special! And those candleholders are so adorable.

    clcarlton823@gmail.com

  9. you should totally open yours now and when your niece visits, make it all about her gift and give her all the attention!

  10. I would definitely wait to open them together. I'm not real sure I could do that but that's what you should do. Have fun waiting.

  11. I have ZERO will power, so I would open them under the guise of needing to know how I would plan to use them with your niece. Then again, it could be fun to open them together…oh, I'm no help!

  12. I would have already opened them. Can't wait. Open now!!!

  13. The surprise would be better if you wait until your niece comes, but it IS hard to wait!

    Becki
    tupperbecki@yahoo.com

  14. Ooo, I would wait until your niece comes over, IF you can stand it! I feels it's so much more fun to share a surprise with someone you love! Also, who doesn't love the look on a child's face when they get a surprise! :)

    My email is lmuhlenbruch@yahoo.com

    BTW-When I saw the pictures, I thought you had figured out how to make NEW cake pops and I was blown away!! I do love those candle holders, SO CUTE!!

  15. I would set them on my counter and call my niece every day until she finally came over and then both of us could rip into them! Can't wait to find out what's in the box!
    Chris
    chris_loved@hotmail.com

  16. I would totally open mine and then surprise the little helper…but I'm just impatient like that.
    You should open them up together…maybe you should go to her instead of waiting for her to visit again?
    lore_mor@yahoo.com

  17. I would rip into them – both! I just couldn't help myself & then I would have to re-wrap the one for my helper. LOL!

  18. Ohhhh, those cupcakes sound delish!!! And, would it be wrong for me to make the icing recipe just for the sake of eating icing? It would be wrong, right? MMMM

    I would definitely wait until your special helper comes back so you can open the gifts together. As much as I'd want to rip into it, her excitement would be enough that I'd wait! :-)

  19. OOooohhh…. tough call! I say if you have waited this long, wait for the niece, It'd be fun to see what you both get at the same time- and it will probably be more special :)

  20. I would open one and keep it's contents a secret, then put the other away for when she visits. I don't think I'd be able to wait!

  21. Wait until your niece comes, it will be great to open them together.

  22. Wait till your niece comes, it will be a fun surprise for all!

  23. I'd say you should open them to know what they are. Then wrap them back up and be ready with the camera- since you'll know what's inside you can capture perfectly angled pics when they're re-opened. Just an idea! and when i win (fingers crossed!) i'm at abby.may@hotmail.com

  24. I would wait to open it. I'm not very patient, so the wait would kill me.

  25. I would want to wait to open mine with her- but I would probably end up peeking under a corner of the wrapping paper to see if I could get a hint of what it was!

  26. That depends entirely on how long it will be before you see your neice. If she's coming soon (like within a week), then I'd wait for her. If, however, it's going to be a week or longer before she comes, I'd open my own and tuck hers away somewhere where it won't be tempting me!

  27. Well I'm the most impatient person ever, so I would be opening mine up! :) And, maybe, wrap it back up so you can open them together.

  28. Open them together! You'll have that fabulous surprise with your niece. I bet she absolutely lights up!

    danibunnie at yahoo.com

  29. Open them with with your niece, but don't wait!! Invite her over TONIGHT :) heidi_lou_belle@yahoo

  30. I would've torn into mine as soon as it got there! Your neice will be just as excited about opening hers even if yours is already open. Enjoy!

    shernaaa@gmail.com

  31. You should wait and open them together.

  32. You could open it now but you'd be forever filled with guilt that you did not wait. So be a good bakerella and wait for your niece. She will appreciate it and you will gain some cosmic karma..lol

  33. Definitely wait! The surprise will be so much better if you do :)

    bunnychick at gmail dot com

  34. tear into them, take pics to share with us, rewrap then eat a cupcake! who could wait, i couldn't.
    worleyzoo@cablelynx.com

  35. I would totally open it right now. But then I might feel bad for not waiting. If it were just me I'd open it!

    iemartist at mac dot com

  36. Wait for your niece!

  37. I have to wait. Think about how fun it will be when you both are surprised!
    Leslie

  38. I would totally rip it open, and re wrap them! Your niece will never know ;) those candle holders are so adorable, my kids would love them!!

    Laphant81@aol.com

  39. Oh gosh! I want those… lol How sweet!

    Oh… by all means WAIT! Good things come to those who wait, ya know!

    I love your blog and love that now I have my daughter hooked on your blog, too. Not only is she reading but she is BAKING (Willow Bird Baking) and she is thrilled that you have mentioned her blog and also left her comments!

    I am loving that SHE is baking! :) I reap the benefits! Nice to pass it down the line…
    viv.ruble@gmail.com
    http://allthingswonderful.blogspot.com/

  40. I say open yours now and show us whats inside. Then act as surprised as possible when you give your niece her gift when she visits.

  41. WAIT!!! It will be so much fun waiting and anticipating what super fun and fantastic stuff is inside that box!

  42. Open your but not hers. It would also depend on how long before she next visits.

    Very cute blog!

    bdwhiddon@juno.com

  43. I would wait, but it would require me to hide both boxes!!!

  44. Wait for the precious poppet & live that priceless moment together! Get someone to take pictures…how wonderful!! BTW, those toppers are FAB!

  45. Open yours now! Don't wait!

  46. I am not sure how long I could wait to open a package that looks that fun. I mean, what if it was something to eat? I wouldn't want it to get stale. :)

  47. I would totally open them now and try to re wrap! Who's gonna know? ;)

  48. I would want to open them right up… but remembering that I once did that when I was 13 at Christmas time…..a needle for a sharp slicing edge and some re-taping over old tape I knew everything I was getting…Christmas was spoiled and I learned my lesson!!– so my little voice in my head now would say …. WAIT the look on both of your faces would be priceless!

  49. It would be so fun to open them together. But if it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to help opening my own early. Don't follow my example!

  50. Call me selfish, call me a niece-hater, blah blah blah… I say open open open! How did you even manage to wait this long to begin with!

  51. Wait and open them together…sharing a surprise with her will be such a great memory for both of you!

  52. I'd wait! To see the look on both of your faces :)

    Andrea
    conversegirl@gmail.com

  53. -sigh- wait for your niece. It would be the most fun…but boy oh boy to rip open that package and see the special surprise inside…the present is not even for me and the anticipation is killing me!
    klanderson7@yahoo.com

  54. I would open a tiny bit from one side just to get a peek lol

    rebeccagonzalezg@hotmail.com

  55. I think wait for your niece !!

    f117f4(at)comcast(dot)net

  56. I think you should rip into it! Your niece will probably rip right into hers and will understand that you did the same! :) We are all kids at heart.
    christiekrsek@hotmail.com

  57. As much as I want you to open them now, I think you should wait until your neice visits!

  58. I would peek at it and wrap it up again. then pretend I never saw it LOL.

  59. open it!

  60. As hard as it would be, I would definitely wait and open them together. You better hide the boxes though. So you aren't templted.

    dianahawes at gmail dot com

  61. I'd wait for my niece too! That will make it special for her, but also exciting for you because you get to see her little face light up when she opens it. Then maybe you guys can bake something delicious and adorable! There is nothing more exciting than getting a present! Even if it's something little, everyone loves a good surprise. Maybe give one of your friends or family a surprise gift to keep your mind off of yours!

    slw4255@gmail.com

  62. Wait to open them together!! If you open yours, you'll be dying to open hers! Hide them so you have no temptation and then you and your neice can have a fun time tearing into them! Don't cheat! The title of your blog is monkey business, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil!! :)
    Crenner1221@gmail.com

  63. I think you should wait for your niece. That way you can both enjoy the newness and excitement together. It will be such a sweet bonding moment! (no pun intended…)

  64. oops my email:
    nasqaha@gmail.com

  65. I would wait–much more fun that way! And don't you just LOVE etsy?! I'm a fan. :)

    http://simplecharmcrafts.etsy.com
    simplecharmcrafts@gmail.com

  66. I know the suspense is killing you. it's killing me, too! I say wait until the cutie comes for a visit. It'll be fun to open them together with both of you not knowing what it is. I did that once to my little sister and felt guilty bc I hate faking the happiness even though no one knows. lol. It's wrapped all pretty, one for you and one for her. it'll be worth the wait. :)

  67. I guess waiting is the right thing to do…. but there's no way I could do it : ) Good luck!

  68. I think wait for your niece !!

  69. Hopefully your niece will be coming back soon! It would kill me to wait but it's more fun to open them together. So wait!

  70. I think you should take a picture of the presents and send it to your niece saying, "we have fun waiting for us on your next visit!" and then when she arrives, open the packages together!

    dan_and_carrie@live.com

  71. I would totally wait. It'll be so sweet and special.

    anastasia576@hotmail.com

  72. As hard as it is, you must wait. It will be much more fun to open with your little helper:)

  73. I think you should take a picture of the presents and send it to your niece saying, "we have fun waiting for us on your next visit!" and then when she arrives, open the packages together!

    dan_and_carrie@live.com

  74. I think you should wait. Unless it is going to be like 6 months or something. But if not, then wait. It will be totally worth it and so special for you and your niece. Have fun!! Although I would probably open mine if I had this dilema.

    Andrea
    andrea.berg@thomsonreuters.com

  75. As hard as it might be, I would wait until your niece comes. Kids love surprises and just think it could give you more points as the best aunt ever!

  76. Oh, these are great!
    As much as I want to know what the boxes have inside them, I think it would be WAY more fun for you and your niece to be surprised at the same time! This way, you can come up with ideas together about how to use whatever the goodies are :)

    I can't wait to see what's in them!

    -Loren
    lorencontreras@mac.com

  77. I would take them quickly and do this incognito of course…..to your nearest medical center and have them x-rayed……that way you would know what was in them…not mess with the cute packaging…and still be the cool, calm and collected aunt….that's not a control freak like this poster :)
    Katie Bee

  78. I think you should take a picture of the presents and send it to your niece saying, "we have fun waiting for us on your next visit!" and then when she arrives, open the packages together!

  79. I would love to say that I would wait but I just Don't think I have the will power.

  80. I would so totally rip into one of them because the suspense would kill me… but knowing I had a little helper coming, well, that might just stop me (maybe) just to see the look on her face to get to open them together. My advice – wait, if you can!

    k.cramblet@yahoo.com

  81. As hard as it may be… wait! She will love it!

  82. wait. you will both be surprised.

  83. For sure wait for your little helper- the joy of being surprised together is fun!

  84. I don't know how you could wait! I'd open it. LOL! Good luck either way!

    marinandderek at aol dot com

  85. I would open mine and save hers…I could never wait that long!
    sbelous@att.net

  86. Definitely wait and open them together!

  87. A part of me wants to open them right now but I like the thought of waiting until your niece comes by and you can open them together. Plus if there something fun to try out you can do that together as well.

  88. Open them together!

  89. I think you should wait until your niece comes and open them together! You can be surprised together!! :)

  90. Wait for your helper! :)

  91. I would so totally wait. I love the suspense of a good surprise…especially when its shared with someone else. Besides, the wrapping is way to pretty to destroy prematurely!

  92. My vote is to wait for your little helper. The surprise will be much greater, as will her joy! But do take pictures, please:)

    Christy
    a_c_galindo04@yahoo.com

  93. I say go for it! The suspense would kill me. You'll still get to experience the surprise factor when your niece opens hers, but now you can also share with us!

  94. It has to be torture to wait, but it will be worth it!!! Thanks!!

  95. I think you should wait. It'll be hell, but maybe you could make a surprise visit to see your neice and just get this done as quickly as possible! :)

    green_eyes1114@hotmail.com

  96. I would have already gone straight to the home of my little helper, gifts in tow and we would have opened them the instant we saw each other.

    I hate waiting :)

  97. I would like to say that I would wait until your neice comes. But most likely I'd rip open mine now!

  98. Call her up on your computer with Skype and open it with her watching the action on the screen!

  99. I love surprises too!! I know how hard it is, but wouldn't it be so special to wait and share your surprises together, you and your little helper.
    I think that would make her feel special too!!!
    Stephanie
    stgraham73@gmail.com

  100. You HAVE to wait for her! It will be totally worth it and so much more exciting for both of you!
    kateskinny@mac.com

  101. I know I would not have the willpower to wait! I'd probably open them and re-wrap them! I'd feel bad about the deception, though! :)

  102. I would carefully take a peek then once I knew the surprise wait until your neice comes and let her rip it open.
    lauraastill@hotmail.com

  103. Oh the suspense! Think of the surprise that will be on both your faces if you open them together! I think you should wait! (easier said than done…)

  104. I love surprises! Definitely wait for your niece.

  105. I think I'd wait. I'm such a sucker for the look on a kid's face when they see something new and exciting.
    Ashlee
    adoerhoff@yahoo.com

  106. I don't think I would be able to wait. I would open them and re-wrap them if I had to. Hopefully you have more restraint than I do ;)

  107. Wait and open them together. It'll be that much sweeter when you can see the joy on her face. :)

    missygjo@yahoo.com

  108. I would put it somewhere where I would forget about it and wait until my niece visits. I also love surprises and it would be hard not to peek.

  109. Wait for your niece, she will feel so special. Please be sure to post what it was. I am sure what ever it is will be worth the wait!
    Diane
    DPS823@gmail.com

  110. While I think you should wait until your niece is around to open it, that's not what I would actually do. If it were me, I would open the package just enough to see what it is, and then close it back up. Don't actually rip it open and try it, just peek.

  111. I would open and rewrap. LOL I am awful at waiting to open something. When I was a kid, my grandma sent 24 gifts for Advent and I would sneak in and open them all and rewrap them. It's a sickness. :) I hope you wait to open them with her though. Stay strong!

  112. wow. I cant believe everyone would wait! I want to say it would be a good idea to wait. But there is no way I would be able too. Those boxes would be open within an hour if they were mine. Then re-wraped and i'd be practicing the fake suprise in the mirror for the next for days!

    cmichel19@hotmail.com

  113. wait, wait wait!

  114. I would probably wait, but it would kill me to do it.

  115. Rip them open now and show us what's inside! Cuteness awaits!

  116. Oooooh, I would sooo want to rip right in to them….but you should definitely wait. And let her open hers first, so you can get us some great pic of the look on her face.

  117. You should wait although I would probably not be able to take the suspense.

    darnetta_bolton@yahoo.com

  118. I think it would be more special if you waited for your niece. :)

  119. A surprise is twice as nice when shared with someone…I vote you wait!!
    Karla
    kashton@cableone.net

  120. Open yours and give your niece hers when you see her!

    Nicole

    dmbfan36@gmail.com

  121. That's a tough one! I would want to rip the sucker open because I love presents and hate waiting!
    But I'm sure your niece would appreciate you waiting…. So wait.
    Just be sure to share the cuteness that is inside that pretty little package when you both open them up!

  122. If they were at my house, they'd already be open. Patience is not MY virtue. :-)

    thatfig at gmail dot com

  123. Wait! You will have more fun if you do. paffita2@yahoo.com

  124. i think you should wait…
    "the longer the wait, the sweeter the fruit"
    Greetings from Chile, in south america!
    anamariamolina@gmail.com

  125. I would SO wait until the helper comes as well! If you like surprises, which I do 2, then it will be that much better!! :D

    (kinna910 at yahoo dot com)

  126. I usually love surprises, but in this case I think I'd open them both, rewrap and then your neice will still be surprised when she re-opens hers. So the element of surprise is preserved somewhat :)

  127. I would wait for your niece. Think of how excited she will be to open it and good you will feel for waiting to open yours as well. Cute cupcakes as well, they sound delicious!

  128. Here is my advice like you asked for first.

    "Move to California and be my next door neighbor." I want to know you!!! You are so neat and creative and we cold work wonders together.

    Secondly, you should wait for your neice, she would love it. However, I won't tell if you sneak a peek!

    Cheers!

    Michelle-your new neighbor
    mnothvogel@hotmail.com

  129. as painful as it might be I also think you should wait for your little helper. so exciting!

  130. I would wait, but it would certainly be tough!

  131. I would open mine and then let her open hers the next time she comes. But, hey, that's just me.

  132. I would get your niece over ASAP so you both can open them together!

  133. Rip yours open now :D Else the suspense and waiting will kill you… xD

    Leee
    oh_my_sw00sh@hotmail.com

  134. You've got to wait until your niece comes back. That way you can be truly suprised together.

    csteinagel@hotmail.com

  135. Oh…I would so open one now!! :) I can't believe you haven't yet!! I'm excited to see what you got!
    jeffreynmichelle@kc.rr.com

  136. Everybody knows now…LOL. I think you should wait for your little helper.

  137. Ooo your neice is such a good little helper…you better wait for her!!!
    amanda.tullis@hotmail.com

  138. It's just like Christmas…you should wait for your helper so both of you can enjoy the surprise!
    BAC

    campbellba@bellsouth.net

  139. Ooo your neice is such a good little helper…you better wait for her!!!
    amanda.tullis@hotmail.com

  140. The boxes are so cutely wrapped that I would have to keep them for a few days just to look at.
    Wait, wait, wait, how much fun it will be.

    pstolz@comcast.net

  141. i would rewrap. i'm not a fan of surprises. but you are, so maybe you should wait.

  142. I love a good surprise, so I say wait…it will be really fun…and torturing…at the same time.

    theremingtons (at) cox (dot) net

  143. I would open them now. What if they are broccoli flavored sprinkles, or cake toppers with the likeness of Larry the Cable guy? Spare her the shock, know what you are dealing with…..

  144. Of course you should wait for your darling niece to open them together. Presents are always more fun to open when someone else can see your reaction and share in the special moment! :)

    valkimber@hotmail.com

    P.S. I love these cupcakes! YUM!

  145. It all depends on how good of an actor you are. Meryl Streep? Rip away. Jennifer Aniston? You might want to wait.

  146. Those cupcakes sound sooooo yummy!

    I think you ought to wait. If I didn't wait, I would feel guilty.

    tebstout [at] yahoo [dot] com

  147. I would definitely wait until your little neice comes — she will be SO EXCITED!! I know you are too, but it is so much more fun to open gifts together. These little cuties are adorable! :)

  148. As impatient as I am, I can't believe I'm going to suggest this; I say wait until your niece comes so that you can open them together. I think it'll make for a much better surprise, and I think she'll absolutely appreciate that you waited too. :D

  149. Wait. I know ripping it open sounds like such a good idea. But just think of all the win when the both of you open it together in pure joy.
    vossclinard at yahoo dot com

  150. While it would be super to wait for your niece, I can certainly understand your excitement! Unless there were instructions that came with the gifts telling you to wait, I would certainly open mine!

    Those toppers are super duper cute!

  151. I almost forgot, you can contact me at kwedding2@windstream.net.

  152. I would say, wait for your little helper, it will be too fun to open them together… unless of course it's going to be a while before you see her again…. :)

    queenchops@yahoo.com

  153. Hm…As much as I think you should wait – curiosity kills the cat right?! hehe! No really – Wait – but I wouldn't be upset if you opened yours. HA!

    Kristen
    kristenmurphyphotography@gmail.com

  154. OPEN IT NOW!!!

  155. It would be torture, but I would wait to open them together – it would be more fun!

  156. I'm horrible about waiting for surprises, so I'd definitely have to rip them open and then re-wrap the one for your niece. Plus, as cute as those toppers are, I'm dying to know what is in those boxes!!
    tkmart@hotmail.com

  157. It depends on when your niece is coming. If it's going to be a while, I'd open them just to make sure it's not something that will spoil! (ha, ha) You can never be too careful, you know. I would carefully open them though and be able to act surprised when she comes and opens it!

  158. oops forgot my e-mail! Sorry!
    MendiLunsford@hotmail.com

  159. Wait until your niece comes. It will be torture to wait, but will add a little excitement each day until you get to open them!

  160. Normally I would rip mine open right away, I just couldn't resist. But those packages are so incredibly adorable, I might make an exception just to keep them around on my mantle.

    http://www.heathereve.blogspot.com

  161. If you're really asking what I would do, then it would depend on how soon my niece was coming over! Any more than a week, and I wouldn't be able to help myself, 'cause I'm just like that! She would of course be able to tell if you already knew, I'm sure. Unless you are a far better actor than I!

    I'd love these little hummers!

    tobefrank[at]tds[dot]net

  162. As much fun as waiting sounds, I'm too much of a planner…I would open them and then re-wrap them…best of both worlds!

    signtlf@gmail.com

  163. If it were me, I would open it. I have no self control. I am sure I would feel guilty afterwards:) Those candle holders are adorable! I may have to buy some if I don't win.

    brittany.knudsen@gmail.com

  164. for sure you should wait…. maybe hide them from yourself to remove the temptation…. toooooo cute, I'm jealous really ;)

  165. WAIT! :)

    steffanie underscore wynn at yahoo.com

  166. i know what i would do. i would ever so slightly open mine to find out what's inside and then rewrap it and open it for good when your niece comes. but schedule a visit now!! i know i should tell you to wait for your niece to open it, but i know i would just have to take a tiny peek!

  167. Totally wait until she gets here. But maybe you should plan to have her over sooner rather than later.

  168. I would wait for your niece…although the suspicion is killing me:) Can't wait to see what's inside!!

  169. These are adorable! I'd do like you- contemplate ripping those gifts open and basking in their cuteness- yet wait until my niece visited again. She'd doesn't come often, maybe once every 2 weeks so the suspense would definitely get to me!

  170. Wow that is a hard one.. I would rip them open except for the fact that it is your neice… if she werent so cute and at such an impressionable age I would have no doubt as to what to do, but I think you should wait.. she will really appreciate it.

  171. I would be worth the wait, but I'm an instant gratification kinda girl. I probably would peek at mine. Bad…I know.

  172. I can't wait, not ever. I even tell people what I got THEM for Christmas cuz I just can't stand waiting, so I, of course, would open both of them, and at least re-wrap your nieces. I have become an expert at re-wrapping gifts do to years and years of quiet December mornings while everyone was sleeping….

  173. I think ideally you should wait for your niece to open them up together. But…I dont' know if i could wait that long for a surprise. Matter of fact I can't wait to see what you got. I say open yours and after the niece opens hers share with her what you got. Those are too cute by the way

    -Michelle
    Jrdn235@sbcglobal.net

  174. I vote wait. Your niece will be so excited. The look on her face will be totally worth the wait, but as soon as they are open you have to tell us. The anticipation is killing me! :) jen
    jenboggess@gmail.com

  175. Well, it seems I can't tell you anything you haven't already been told, so…..WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?!?! Wait for your little helper….if she is ANYTHING like my little niece, she will just about DIE from the excitement, sepecially if you call her and let her know you have a surprize; HMMMM,let me see; that might even get her over quicker, and then you won't have to wait so long!!!!! BTW, SUPER CUTE!!!
    Rosemarie@
    controsemarie.dougherty@gmail.com

  176. I am not a patient person so I would open mine and save hers for when she comes. In yours there be something you can use to make her something. Just a suggestion.

  177. I would wait! It would be hard, but I love surprises too.
    Those candle holders are adorable! I always make cupcakes for my daughter's birthday and those would be perfect! I make lemon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and let her put on the sprinkles.

  178. I woud Wait! But this is coming from the person that opened her Christmas presents, then re wrapped them!

  179. I would love to wait, but I would have to have my husband hide them from me!! I am not a waiter! I will buy someone a `present and I can't wait to have them open it!!! I would be calling my niece and making her come over today!! And those cupcake toppers are SO cute!!!

  180. I think you should wait for your niece, she'll appreciate it :)

    mckinsab@gmail.com

  181. I wonder if a little creamy peanut butter in your frosting would taste good?

  182. Invite your niece over immediately and rip those babies open! Then share the magical goodness with us via pictures! (mailckimATgmailDOTcom)

  183. You really need to open YOURS now. There might be something in there that you need to "prepare for" or see ahead of time. Wouldn't it be awful if there was a project to do and she wanted to do it RIGHT THEN and you didn't have everything you needed?

    Save hers for her, but open yours NOW.

    Michele

  184. Definitely wait for your niece so you can open them together!

    abbi.french@ymail.com

  185. I think, that, yes, you should wait for your niece. I know that I would feel a little bit guilty opening it ahead of time. Just gives you a good excuse to invite her over sooner than you may have planned on before!

    goddess.kelldandy@gmail.com

  186. I would probably open them then re-wrap…I'm a peeker.

    But, I think you should wait. Or…mail your neice's to her and you guys can open at the same time!

  187. Well, look at it this way. If you open yours now, you will get the satisfaction of anticipation culminated. Then, when your niece gets there, you can enjoy it all again vicariously when she opens her present.

    If you open them at the same time, you may miss out on the look of excitement and joy on her face due to the distraction of your own feelings of elatement. Plus, it will be easier to take pictures of her if you don't have your own box to open.

  188. wait for your neice. She will love the surprise and it will be extra special for you.

    hannah at hurey dot com

  189. Don't wait another second… invite your niece over immediately and open them together! Be sure to take pics, though.

    Kathy at jalensgams@yahoo.com

  190. I hate waiting!
    BUT… you should wait and open them together.

    That is if you have more self control than I do. :)

    ~kjonesey

  191. Open it!!

  192. You should mail your niece's package to her. When she gets it, call her with a webcam and open them together!

    seven_of_jo at yahoo.com

  193. Oh they would have been so opened by now. No way could I wait a minute, much less days.

  194. Wait, Wait, Wait! You'll be happy you did when your niece arrives.
    Mimi
    jmhook@charter.net

  195. I'd wait until she visits, though it would be hard!

    kam617@gmail.com

  196. i say wait for your neice and open them together. i know… torture! but imagine the looks on both of your faces. it'll be worth it. =)

    bettafly21 @ hotmail . com

  197. I'd open both of them and then rewrap! I just know that I'd never be able to wait!
    Love those little candle holders, perfect additions to a frosted cupcake!
    Janine

  198. i would want to wait but i don't know if i would be able to!!! good luck!!!
    smcgalliard(@)gmail(.)com

  199. Open and re-wrap. I'll never tell!
    I have a 3 year old, she can't always enjoy all of the fun, sometimes it's our turn! – Jen