Cupcake Bake Off ~ Winter Birthday Party

It's always been a challenge to find fun activities for Avery's birthday.  Kyndra's birthday is usually on or around the last day of school when there is tons of fun to be had outside.  For AJ...not so much.  We've gone bowling, roller skating, and swimming.  All fun but nothing personalized.  I was scrambling last weekend, panicked that I hadn't planned anything for her special day.  Pinterest to the rescue!  I found this fun idea from a really great blog, Foodlets, that I'll be visiting again!  

Cupcake Wars!

It starts with supplies, mostly from the dollar store.  Supplies include:

• Cake Mixes
• Pans
• Aprons
• Candy for toppings
• Sprinkles
• Cupcake liners
• Mixers
• Spoons 
• Spatulas
• FROSTING! (thank you Mom!)

We choose teams from a hat and the first step was brainstorming ideas for their cupcake creations.  Kyndra was suppose to be the Expert Chef and Decorator to help with any decorating ideas.  She did end up feeling a little unneeded because these 4th graders had lots of great ideas of their own.  

 Each team had to choose two flavors for their cakes in case the other team got to the box first.  They were drawing and even using organizational charts on their brainstorm sheet.  Avery's team planned on making a mint chocolate cupcake with crushed up mints inside their batter.  The other team decided to make a white cupcake with Nerds mixed inside using the "rainbow" theme.

 Ready Set Go!

They had 1 hour and 30 minutes to bake and decorate.

 How many eggs do you need?

The only person they were suppose to ask for help was Kyndra.

This worked for awhile but Mom and I did end up breaking that rule a few times.

 Read your directions ladies.

I think these two photographs give you an idea of how involved and excited they were. It was so cool seeing them measuring, reading, talking, mixing, and laughing.  I loved how serious they were about the task and really acted like little chefs.

Avery's team measured 1 1/2 cups oil instead of 1 1/3. I saw it happen and just held my tongue.  The result was some very moist and delicious cupcakes!

 On to filling the cupcake tins.

How much is 2/3 full?

 Every good baker must make sure their batter tastes alright.

 I was in charge of the oven...I can't believe we fit 48 cupcakes in there at once.

Next came decorating.  Luckily Tony and Jaida got Avery some decorating tools for her birthday.  The squeeze bags looked great but frosting kept squeezing out the top and onto the floor!  I'm sure there is a trick to them but we didn't have time to figure it out.

 Mints to top off the wintry mint chocolate cupcakes.

Look at the rainbow plate job in the background!

They were judged 50% on taste and 50% on display.

 Our judges panel...one judge stepped up to the task so I also helped decide the winners.

In the end Avery's team won best tasting and the other team won best display.

They didn't even blink at there being two winners.

What a crew!

 After all of that sugar you wouldn't think we needed any more but what do I know?  These super chefs didn't seem to have any problem with an ice cream cake.

Ten candles!  How did that happen?

 Happy Birthday Avery Jo!

Birthday Bowling

For Avery's 9th birthday party we reserved two lanes for bumper bowling.  I love how excited Avery gets for  her special day.  She was just giddy! 

It started with an invitation designed by her sister.  Kyndra actually made up 6 selections for Avery to choose from.  She had a little grid with numbered drawings.  It was really professionally done.

I always "surprise" the girls by decorating their room while they are sleeping.  Well Avery has been reminding me for a week to buy streamers and balloons.  She even made a shopping list for me.  The night before her birthday Kyndra's basketball game went until almost 9 and they still had to shower.   Before I knew it, the girls started blowing up balloons and decorating!  They had more fun giggling.  They were down there naming each balloon and deciding how long it's "tail" should be to hang by. It felt funny letting her decorate for her own birthday morning but I loved the teamwork and laughter.

Party day was finally here yesterday.  We had a crew of 7 kids, Grandma and Grandpa, and my friend Stephanie.  Steph and I even got to bowl with the bumpers up!

Here's the long-legged birthday girl with her big smile.  

It's hard to believe she was only 5lbs 8oz when she was born!

Kyndra getting her first spare of the night!

 It was an absolute riot seeing these little girls swing that heavy ball.  One little girl in particular would wind up that ball by swinging it back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, finally letting it go.  One time she dropped it on her back swing!

Avery's strategy was to bank the ball off the rails...three or four times...until it finally hit the pins.

Ah...those stylish and beautiful bowling shoes.

 Our birthday crew of fantastic friends.  I really feel fortunate for the friends Kyndra and Avery have found here.  We enjoy every one of their unique personalities.

 Happy Birthday beautiful girl! 

btw it took three of us and a sledge hammer to cut through this icecream cake.  Thanks Mom, Dad, and Steph for all of your help making this party a success.

April...gone in a flash!

This month has been jammed full of exciting happenings in our house!

April 2nd we started teaching our first classes at STARBASE.  Our days are jammed with science experiments and learning.  Each day, I am completely exhausted and happy happy happy!

Our ribbon cutting was April 19th and we had some very prestigious guests including Montana's First Lady Nancy Schweitzer and Brigadier General Quinn.  Both KRTV and KFBB covered the day!

Over the last several months the girls have been preparing a science experiment for the STEM Expo.  That same weekend the girls set up their displays and joined hundreds of other kids in sharing their science discoveries. 

Last Monday they auditioned for the Missoula Children's Theaters performance of the Tortoise and the Hare.  They both got parts and spent every night last week rehearsing after school until 8!  It was a tough week but it was all worth the time and effort.  The neighbor's son had the lead role and all of those involved did an amazing job.

Now it's raining and the girls want to go out for a bike ride!  I guess I need to roll....

Gr8 to be 8!

I admit, it was a lot more fun seeing Avery turn 8 than it was passing my 41st this month!  I tell you, this little girl has come into her "own" this year.  She is amazingly smart, funny, outgoing...and girly!  Yes, in spite of her mother not having a "girly" bone in her body, my daughter has decided she is a princess and I love it!  

Avery had a small sleepover birthday party with her tight-knit group of friends.

 I love decorating the girl's doors for their birthday.  Since they don't really have a door right now I decorated the stairwell.  I had to lock two irate kitties in the "cat room" for the night to keep the surprise in tact.

 We spent a lot of time at this table...snacks, crafts, cake, pizza...all the necessities for a party.

 Make up!  LOL oh ya...did I mention the princess thing?

 What a beautiful girl.

 Avery and Kyndra actually helped make the cake in the nights before the party. They mixed, poured, and decorated the Gr8 8!

 After cake our amazing neighbors invited all 6 of the girls over to watch a movie on their home theater system.  We couldn't have topped the evening with anything else. I do believe I have the best luck in the planet when it comes to neighbors.

Well, time is passing...like it or not.  I'm at the point where I'm trying to just enjoy the days, move forward and accept life as it comes.  Without hardly a winter, I'm almost sad to see the trees budding out already.  I didn't even get to use my skis this year.  This is Montana tho...it still may be on the way.  Thank you all for your birthday wishes across the miles.  We love and miss you all!

Avery's 1st Grade Performance

Today was Avery's day to share her fiddle with her class. Avery has always been my bravest one so I didn't even think to be nervous for her. It took 2 minutes and 43 seconds for her to get started on her first song! I know that because I was recording the whole thing. It just took her a little to get that first note started but once she got going it was all good.

Enjoy the show!

Recipe for a Skate Party

Take a healthy dose of sweet girls

add a shake of grandma

stir in some friends

mix it well with some laps around the rink

toss in a table full

light a couple of candles

slide under the table three times

do the limbo

blow out some candles

do the limbo again

and out comes a super 7th birthday party!