birthday party

2016, Travels

Gracie’s Party Under the Sea

920239+00:00 easprang

My niece, Gracie, had no idea what kind of birthday party she wanted this year. When I suggested an Under the Sea theme, she approved, so I took the idea and ran with it. I had a lot of fun with this one, and I think it turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself. Take a look!

The cake, an original creation from the bakehouse of Justin & Beth (that’s us), turned out way more adorable than we’d even imagined.

I spent hours cutting circles with scissors for the jellyfish paper lanterns and the bubble banner, but it was worth it!

Keeping with the underwater theme, we served blue Hawaiian punch with seahorse straws, Swedish Fish, and Goldfish crackers.

The Birthday Girl put her phone down long enough for me to grab one shot of her with her table of treats, and then it was right back to texting. Teenagers…

2016, Travels

Kaden’s Dino-mite Birthday

920239+00:00920239+00:00 easprang

And now, an event 65 million (or maybe more like eight) years in the making! Welcome to Kaden’s LEGO / Jurassic World birthday party! Cue dramatic music…

Kaden selected the theme for his party and granted pretty much complete creative freedom with the planning. His only request was a cake with a dinosaur on it. His mom took care of that while I made dinosaur-shaped sugar cookies. We also put together some party favor bags with dinosaur fruit snacks and LEGO brick candy.

The birthday boy was overwhelmed by our efforts, but he found a thoughtful way to show his appreciation. I guess it’s great to be eight!

2015, Travels

A Teenage Winter Wonderland

920239+00:00920239+00:00 easprang

It seems absolutely impossible, but somehow thirteen years have passed since we brought little newborn Gracie home from the hospital. Due to my work schedule at the time, I wasn’t there the night she was born. And thirteen years later, I’m still a little bitter over the fact that I missed the birth of my niece. I should have just called in sick that day, what was I thinking…

Anyway, since we can’t seem to stop her from growing up, we had to have a little celebration to mark this moment in her life. She wanted a Winter Wonderland theme, so that’s what the brand new teenager got.

I know these little guys look like birds, but they’re supposed to be snowmen. Next time I’ll give them a head, midsection, and abdomen. Maybe that will make it more obvious… Whatever they were, they were cute and tasty.

Girl child, it is cool beyond words to be your aunt and I’ve had so much fun teaching, playing with, and corrupting you over the past thirteen years. I will continue to be never more than a text message away as you navigate through your teenage years. They may be rough, but I will always be here for you. Oh, and happy birthday!