For The Relatives

I realize not everyone out there cares to see pictures of my daughter's birthday party. But I have to satisfy the family readers every so often. So here are the pics, in case you missed the festivities...

Daphne went back and forth on which kind of party she wanted. First she wanted a Chuck E Cheese party. Then a swim party. Then she wanted a fish party. I thought that sounded promising--I planned on giving away little bags of goldfish as party favors. But then she wanted a gerbil party. I couldn't really see giving away bags of gerbils as party favors, so that idea got nixed. Then she wanted a pirate party. But finally she decided the pool party would be the most fun. And I have to admit I tried to sway her in that direction since an outdoor party means way less work for Mommy.

When the kids arrived, I had them decorate their own treat bags with sparkley foam stickers and markers.



Then the water festivities began. The kids swam in the pool, slid down the waterslide into the pool, skidded along the Slip 'n' Slides, shot each other with water cannons and squirt guns, cried about being shot by water cannons and squirt guns, threw water balloons at each other, cried about being hit by water balloons, and rolled each other in the giant blow-up hamster wheel. (I should have taken more pictures of this part of the party, but I was too busy blasting kids in the face with silly string.)

Next they decorated their own cupcakes. There had been some discussion early on about the cake. At first Daphne's cake requests changed along with the party theme ideas. But eventually she decided on cupcakes, which each child would decorate herself. I was a big fan of this idea. So I made cherry chip cupcakes, dunked them in chocolate ganache (which makes a wonderful, smooth canvas for decorating on), and then made buttercream frosting of various colors. I put the frosting in ziplock baggies and cut the tips off to use as decorator bags. And then I passed out ten different kinds of sprinkles, red hots, colored sugar, and candy flowers. All of this took place outside on the picnic table, of course. So no mess to clean up. I seriously LOVE outdoor parties! I wonder if Beck would want a pool party too. Next December.

What I had invisioned for the cupcake decorating:



How they turned out:

Ah well, at least there were no sprinkles or frosting on my floor.


Next Daphne took a few minutes to ham it up with her presents....





And just as the kids were starting to get their full sugar buzz, it was time to to send them home.

Perfect.


I wonder if I can convince Daphne to do this again next year.