Teacher Survival Kit

Today marks one week until the girls start school and I'm pretty much ready. However there's one thing I've seen all over Blogland that I wanted to do, a teacher 'survival' kit. Since Miss A is in elementary school I thought it'd be fun to put one together for her new teacher. I really, really hope she has a female teacher. Otherwise I'll have to switch a few things.

Last night we headed to the dollar store and picked up a great little lunch box style box and a whole lot of goodies. We put the whole thing together for about $12.

Here's a run down of what we got:

• box
• hand sanitizer
• lotion
• lip balm
• Advil (heehee)
• tissues
• Halls
• pony holders
• breath mints
• And most importantly some treats - Ferrero Rocher & Turtles

I don't know about you, but I would love a gift like this! Have your kids started back to school yet? Did you make up a little something for their teacher? I think teaching is one of the most undervalued professions out there, and teachers definitely don't get the recognition they deserve. This is just my small way of saying, "Thanks for all you do. We really appreciate it!" Happy New School Year! 

**Update - September 1st

Her teacher LOVED the survival kit! She said she was the only teacher who even received a gift on the first day, and all the other teachers were jealous. So I'd say this is a perfect 1st day of school gift!

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Triple Chocolate Cake Brownie Cookies

Yes, you read that right - triple chocolate cake brownie cookies! I warn you now, you will want to eat the whole batch! Especially when they're fresh out of the oven still warm and gooey. Today I tweaked a regular chocolate chip cookie recipe to make these. I am always a little nervous when I mess around with baking, but these bad boys did not disappoint. They turned out like a chewy cakey brownie. Mmm mmm!

Triple Chocolate Cake Brownie Cookies
adapted from: The Williams-Sonoma Baking Book
(makes about 2 dozen)

1 1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used minis because that's what I had.)

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have ready 2 ungreased cookie sheets. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. 
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, cream the butter until fluffy and pale yellow. Add the sugar and brown sugar and continue beating until the mixture is no longer gritty when rubbed between your finger and your thumb. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until blended, occasionally scrap down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
• Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed or stir with a wooden spoon just until blended. Add the chocolate chips and stir until blended. 
• Using a tablespoon drop the dough onto the baking sheet; placing about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 12 minutes, checking around 10. Let the cookies cool briefly on the pans before transferring to the cooling racks. 

 I hope you enjoy these as much as we did!

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At The Picket Fence
Liz Marie Blog 
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