Jaxon's 6th Birthday Party

Next up on the kiddo birthday train was Jaxon’s 6^th birthday. His awesome parents got him a giant bouncy castle, outdoing themselves every year seems to be the goal because this one had a basketball court and a giant slide. His birthday was Avengers themed so I made Captain America’s shield in cupcake form.

They turned out pretty good once I finally found those darn white stars. Seriously, every time I need a specific decoration it is nowhere to be found in stores. I can’t believe Jaxon is getting so big/old (and how have I become old enough to start making statements like that?!). I’ll include this gem to show him when I met him:

And truthfully, this was probably more like a few months after we met him since we were babysitting. Craziness!

Avery's 2nd Birthday Party

December seems to be a very popular birthday month for the nuggets I know. I went to Miss Avery’s birthday the first weekend in December. Already 2 year old, insanity! I made some red velvet and chocolate cupcakes for the event and Amy did an awesome job with all the snacks and decorations. Happy Birthday, pretty lady!

Big Texas!

A few weeks ago I went out with some friends to the local country dance hall, Big Texas, for some birthday two-steppin. It was my friend, Randi's birthday and her activity of choice was boot scootin! We had a really fun (albeit sweaty) time twirling and line dancing the night away. Here are a few pics of the birthday girl:

Happy Birthday, Randi!

Todd's Bday

One of my fave people, Todd (or The Todd as I like to call him), has a Cinco de Mayo birthday that happened to fall on a Saturday this year. He shares his birthday with his girlfriend's sister and they had a joint party in Galveston at Buckshot Saloon. I went and had a great time! Here are some pics:

Me with the birthday boy:

 Lacy and I with some waxed lips (it was her sister's 40th bday so they had old school candies and toys at the dessert table)

Frosting for the birthday boy

Glow sticks!

Happy Birthday, Todd!

Baloo and Bernoulli Turn 4!

My (four-legged) babies are growing up so fast! I can't believe I've had a dog for 4 years now, that's like an entire college degree worth of doggy mommying! So crazy. Here are some pics of my babies from their 4th year of life (Noodle pics courtesy of Christine, Ben, and Jenn):

Awkward nap:

 Gentlemanly nap:

 Napping in his new home:

 Begging for a belly rub:

 How he likes to enjoy his bones, about 5 min at a time:

 Shredder we call him:

 Noodle hard at work:

 Making big friends at the dog park:

 Sunday football:

 Monopoly starts and everybody does their part:

 Noodle helping with Xmas stockings:

 Baloo 'hunting' at the park:

 Making sure they get his order right at the drive-thru:

 Enjoying a beachy breeze:

 Enjoying the view:

 Rediscovered his love for puddles:

 Discovering snow:

 Smiles at the park:

 Smiles (from me at least) while visiting the Noodle in WA:

 Look at that tongue:

 Space Noodle:

 Krolls at Xmas, where are Noodle's pjs?

Can't wait for momma Christine to visit Baloo in several weeks! Happy Birthday Boys!

Red Velvet Brownies "Reddies" for Steph's Birthday

Steph loves her some red velvet, so I try to make something with that flavor every year for her birthday. Over the years I've made cupcakes, cupcakes stuffed with cream cheese, whoopie pies, and now: red velvet brownies or "reddies" as my friends have dubbed them. These suckers are insane. Cut them way smaller than I did because they are so rich you won't be able to finish one otherwise.

Recipe:
Red Velvet Brownies w/White Chocolate Buttercream (from Smells Like Home)

Brownies:
3T cocoa
2T red food coloring
2t vanilla
1 stick butter, softened
1 1/2c sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4c flour
1/4t salt

 Frosting:
1 stick butter, softened
1 1/2c powdered sugar
1t vanilla
4oz white chocolate, melted
1-2T heavy cream

Preheat to 350F. Grease 8"x8" baking pan.

In a small bowl, slowly stir together the cocoa, food coloring, and 1t of vanilla until no lumps of cocoa remain.

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the remaining vanilla. Add cocoa mixture and beat until mixture is uniform. Slowly add the flour and salt. Mix until just combined.

Pour batter into pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cool on rack completely.

Frosting:
Cream butter until soft and light. Beat in vanilla. Slowly add in powdered sugar. Once uniform, add in white chocolate and beat until uniform. Add in the heavy cream until the frosting has reached the desired consistency.

Enjoy!

Cookie Monster and Elmo Treats for Evan

It was Mr. Evan Crisp's 2nd birthday last week and I was lucky enough to be in charge of his cakes for this birthday party last weekend. His mamma, my friend Amy, requested cake pops and cupcakes that looked like Elmo and Cookie Monster. I had never tried to make cake pops before so I had to do a few trial runs before I was comfortable committing. I can't say that I'm the next Bakerella (who inspired these cake pops) but they were recognizable to a 2 year old so I call that a win! Here are the goodies:






Cake Pop Supplies:
I used mercken candy melts and wilton candy dye (to make cookie bluer) for the coating. The face on cookie was a dark chocolate candy melt cut in slightly more than half, Nabisco Gripz cookies, and candy eyes. The face on elmo was a dark chocolate candy melt cut in half, tear drop candies for the nose, and candy eyes.

Cupcake supplies:
I used cream cheese icing with red gel food coloring pushed through a grass tip (#233). The face on elmo was a cut in half oreo cookie (only one side, no icing), grocery store jelly bean, and icing eyes with a mini chocolate chip iris. The icing on cookie was vanilla with blue gel food coloring pushed through a grass tip. The face on cookie was a cut in half chips ahoy cookie, and candy eyes.

Thanks to Amy and Evan for including me on this fun day!