As I am planning parties (and it really is a favorite of mine!), I start way in advance. I jot down ideas, sometimes scribbling them out, and try to improvise with items that I might already have. Part of the joy for me comes from fashioning one thing into something else. One weekend, when I was feeling antsy and needed something crafty to do, I worked on the picture to put above the cake table.
I used the same canvas that hangs there on the wall and covered it with wrapping paper. The wrapping paper was actually some that was left over from years ago and I used the underside of it because it was plain white. Then, I printed out a flamingo and a rainbow trout, and made a bobber out of red and white card stock from my craft closet. I mixed up some paints and spent a little time creating a water scene. Once it was dry, I glued on the printed items and then used some letter stickers (again, in my craft closet!) to put the kids' names on it. To be honest, this painting hung there for weeks before the party!
Another focal point for any of the parties that I plan is the CAKE. The kids absolutely love seeing the creations that I come up with for them. And this year, was particularly special. Based off of the rainbow trout that I had printed out earlier, I designed and made a cake for Jimmy.
It was 100% edible, even the sand (graham crackers) and the rocks (chocolate pieces). The cattails and weeds were shaped fondant, painted with food coloring. Oh, how he loved that cake!
And look at his school picture from this year, framed in a fishing/tackle frame. (He now has that in his bedroom).
For Sophia's cake, I opted to make a strawberry one (she LOVES strawberries) and blend bright pink and vanilla frosting for an ombre look. I finished it off with the most adorable flamingos and a pink candle.
The tables were covered in blue tablecloths (I love disposable table cloths because it makes the clean up SO EASY. I filled in with some netting, bobbers and hooks from Jack's tackle box and some goodies. What fishing party would be complete without goldfish crackers and swedish fish?!
The birthday kids stopped for a quick picture before the guests arrived. Can you tell that they were excited?! (The birthday banner on the fireplace was made using the same flamingos that I had printed out earlier for the cake table backdrop and the handmade bobbers).
I love this picture because it epitomizes everything about this day -- my two February birthday babies, celebrating together with Sophia being the perfect "Mother Hen" for Jimmy.
His smile was the biggest that I have ever seen!
And his most prized gift? The policeman costume from Grandpa!
Later, we headed into the dining room to sing "happy birthday" and watch the birthday kids blow out their candles.
Four years old!
I love her smile!
Nine years old!
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