Tale of 2 cakes

2 cakes, 2 different results...

I decided to make the girls' birthday cakes; I couldn't bear the thought of spending $20 plus on 2 cakes (because of course they couldn't agree on a flavor). So on Friday morning I set out to create the tasty desserts. I made Popcorn's strawberry cake (which was amazingly tasty by the way) and was quite pleased with how it turned out. I'm not a cake decorator, I simply don't have the patience and to be honest it seems like a lot of work for something that is going to be eaten. Here is her cake:

One down, one to go. I assembled Sweetie's chocolate cake, but as soon as I finished decorating it here's what happened:

As you can see it split apart. Ladd was home and he was telling me not to get upset; I wasn't upset really, just annoyed. Looking back I think my problem was twofold: it wasn't completely cooled and it didn't have the proper support. I put the top layer on upside down, so that the top of the cake would be flat but I failed to trim the cake and therefore it had support in the middle but not around the sides. I ended up running to the store for a couple things and found this chocolate cake on sale:

The chocolate cake proved to be more popular and once we finished the store bought one we ate my disaster cake, which was still delicious just ugly. I ended up putting it into a bowl and one of the moms asked me how I made it, she thought it was baked in the bowl! I got a good laugh out of that.

Here's Popcorn's decorated cake:

It didn't turn out exactly as I had planned but in the end everyone was happy!

Double the fun!

Sweetie and Popcorn came up with the fabulous idea of doing a combined birthday party, we have been planning and gathering supplies since Christmas. We did a Littlest Pet Shop theme. Here are the cakes (there was an incident with the chocolate cake, I may do a separate post about that later)...

Here are some of the girls coloring their LPS posters...

This pic is a little blurry but they are decorating the 'houses' for their little stuffed pets that they 'adopted'. They really enjoyed the crafting portion of the party, everyone was busy working away. Even better, both age groups loved. Our neighbor said she peeked out to check on the party and was amazed that all the girls were so quiet!
Here is Popcorn and the girls from her class...

Here is Sweetie and her class friends as well as our neighbors...

We originally had scheduled to have the party on Saturday, April 24th but they had been forecasting a huge storm that day so at I decided to move the party up to Friday. Boy am I glad that I did, the weather was beautiful and the kids were able to play outside. It poured rain on Saturday and we would've all been inside. I think I would have gone crazy!

Although it was a lot of work, everyone had lots of fun!

Sweetie turns 9!

My girls are getting so big! Sweetie was excited for her birthday, but it was a school day so we couldn't frolic all day long like we did for Popcorn's birthday. Instead we spread the fun out over 2 days, even better! On Friday Ladd took her out to lunch at Chick-fil-A, then we all went to Jason's Deli for dinner. I would like to think that she chose it because it's healthier than say, fried chicken, but I think it really was the free ice cream that she wanted! Then we headed to Build-a-Bear. Here she is making her new friend, she got a dog this time.

We came home and opened presents, here she is with her new Littlest Pet Shop toy. I bought all of their birthday gifts from the Christmas clearance. I really scored with this one...it was regularly $20 but I got it for just $4 !!!! You can't even buy a single little pet for that much. I love a good sale!

On Saturday we went to Cracker Barrel and Sweetie decided she wanted a Zum too. Here she is posing with her new friend. We always have to take a rest on the rocking chairs, here are Popcorn and Cutie Pie. Don't you love her new 'cheese' face? I suppose it's better than looking grumpy, now we get the pained-looking smile!

We didn't get around to Sweetie's birthday cake on Friday night so we did it on Saturday. I know this is terrible and very lame, but I had a busy day and spent the little time I was home making cupcakes to take to school for her treat. She wanted to go to the mall and I told her the trade off was that I would have to make her cake the next day. In the end I think it worked out well, we had a bonfire with the neighbors and I took the cake outside so everyone got to sing to her and we got to enjoy the cake with friends. It was a yummy chocolate layer cake with vanilla filling. I rather like the chocolate butterfly!

Happy birthday Sweetie, we love you!

Popcorn turns 6!

I can't believe that Popcorn is now 6 years old! Since it was Spring break and all the girls were home from school Ladd took the day off (he missed all of their birthdays last year) and we had a jam packed day of fun. Here are some pictures from our adventures...

We started off with a trip to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, Popcorn wanted a pancake and bacon. She also REALLY wanted a Zum buddy (for Webkinz). It flies around following your pet; they also have their own little Zum world. Here she is with her new friend...

Sweetie shows Cutie Pie how to play checkers...

Then we headed to the mall where Popcorn made a new Build-a-bear friend. I thought she was just going to get an outfit but she got a new bear. What can I say, when it's your birthday you can talk your way into a lot of things! She also got a birthday crown and sticker. Now Sweetie wants to go there for her birthday too...what have I started?

Popcorn was begging all day to open her presents. I didn't have much for her since we were planning on purchasing other things through out the day, but I did have this singing Sharpay doll (from High School Musical). It's fun, the microphone plays music and when you put it close to her mouth Sharpay sings the words.

We headed outside into the beautiful weather and played with our new super-cool sidewalk chalk. These are fun, they each draw 2 colors. I found them with the Easter clearance at the grocery store. Score!

At last we get to have cake! Popcorn requested the ever popular butterfly cake and of course it had to be pink. I had no idea the butterfly would become so popular, lucky for me it's easy to make! Sweetie wants on too, only hers will be chocolate (yum).

We love you Popcorn!

Fun photos

Here are some pictures I found on my camera...

Proof that Cutie Pie does actually smile. She loves to play the drums!

She also smiles a lot when she knows she's being mischievous, playing at the sink is a favorite pastime. Usually I don't mind too much, after all it is just water. Lately she has taken to drawing (scribble scrabble as Popcorn calls it) on the walls with a ball point pen. It's next to impossible to get that off with out taking off the paint and/or finish. Not cool Cutie Pie, not cool.

Popcorn and Cutie Pie in their matching shirts, courtesy of the Valentine clearance at Target. I think each top was $1. Can't beat that. These two like to match, so cute.

We went to the park on Friday (we get Good Friday off) and I took, or rather I tried to take, some pictures of the girls. I don't know why it's so difficult to take pictures of your own kids. It was rather sunny and they just couldn't manage to keep their eyes open!