The Final 8th Birthday Celebration!!!

Again, I am posting things OUT OF ORDER, but last night, we finally celebrated the twins' 8th birthday with cake/cupcakes. YES, their birthday was 4 days ago, but I had baked everything days ago AND ran out of time to decorate. So, I finished up their cakes/cupcakes yesterday, during the school day, and we enjoyed them after dinner.  Being the twins' are boy-girl twins, it's a little more challenging coming up with a theme, even if it's just a color theme, that works for BOTH of them.  So being we LOVE emojis, I decided to make them an emoji cake and cupcakes.  I LOVED the way they turned out.  

Let's "FACE" it, neither of these dessert items would be AS CUTE or PERFECT alone.  This is COMPLETE because of the grouping. Agree?

Above: The heart eyes emoji, smiling big.  I made a lemon cake, yellow frosting, and yellow buttercream fondant.  Below: Poo emoji cupcakes.  The cake was chocolate and double fudge icing.  I also filled the inside of the cupcakes with a yummy chocolate concoction.

The emoji cupcakes were decorated with gold foil cupcakes liners, Wilton candy eyes, and cute, tiny plastic, Mr. Potato head type pieces that I found years ago and I am so glad I purchased.  I use them ALL the time to dress up foods to look like humans.  

Girl Poo!

"Nanny, nanny poo poo!"

Upon serving the cupcakes, this happened.  HAHA.  I laughed actually.  It was a perfect photo opportunity! "Poop happens. Pick it up and keep on going!"

And now, for the final celebration.... they literally had 9 celebrations.

We sang Happy Birthday and dug in! Even daddy took a bite.

The night of their actual birthday, I presented these COOL, surprise, PAPER MACHE, emoji balls to them.  I wanted these to be opened on the same day that I presented the cake, but it just didn't work out that way. I found them at Wal-Mart for $2.48.  As you begin unraveling the paper mache, there are HIDDEN surprises waiting.  Watch the entire video to see what was inside! It's hysterical, BUT I am a proud MOMMY for the way it was handled.  

Ty told a small fib. He told his brother and sister that he made these. LOL! Not really sure why, but I corrected his fib over time. I LOVED Jax's comment, "Who would do this?" I think what he meant by that was, who would spend all of this time making their to have someone destroy it. YEA... I know. I feel that way EVERYDAY when I clean my home and you little rugrats come busting through the door to destroy EVERYTHING I have works so hard at all day. Hehe.

Inside the paper mache balls were the following: an emoji sticker, a pair of emoji earrings, a decorative hair band, a ring, and a princess crown.  I am so glad that Jax was such a good sport and it wound up being FUNNY, but seriously... what a fail. Walmart... PLEASE specify if the item is for a BOY or a GIRL so this never happens again.  

OH AND PS. Do you see the emoji face on the emoji paper mache balls? Well, I chose to RE-USE it for their cake.  HAHA. WHY reinvent the wheel when you can just re-shape it!

Come, Sit, & Play For Sadie's 1st Birthday!

I blocked out our phone #, on the invite, since our blog is public! Thanks Lauren for drawing attention to this!

The invitation is out.  With only #7daysandcounting until our fur daughter turns 1, we are ready to celebrate. I really hope several pooches come and play! Sadie loves treats, but playdates, to her, are much better!!!! I created this adorable invitation to share, electronically, with anyone and everyone I know that has dogs. If all else fails, off to the doggie park we will go. I also wrote a little note to help create some anticipation, hehe:

"No paw-ty is fun without fur friends.  This is a fur real celebration.  Calling friendly dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages.  Arrive with your tails wagging.  Mini hot dogs, unlimited toilet bowl water, and doggie friendly cake will be served.  Please R.S.V.P. so the right # of paw-ty favors are available. Finally, please wipe your paws before entering.  We're going to have a dog-gone good time!!!!"

The pre-party prep work began last week.  I just decided to do ONE thing a day.  It's been fun and there are no late night party creations or stress hives happening around here.  The DOGS don't care know, so the details aren't really necessary. Haha.  

I've already made homemade peanut butter and honey dog bones for Sadie girl, as well as, chicken stuffed/flavored bone shaped ice cubes.  That was #11daysandcounting and #10daysandcounting.

I also purchased Sadie some new BLING to wear throughout the year.  After all, everyone knows that diamonds are a girl's best friend. It's hard to believe we are just not getting around to getting her a name plate.  Don't worry, Sadie is chipped, so if she got lost, eventually, I believe we would have received her back!!! #9daysandcounting.

And finally, party decorations! Just a few.  Nothing major, but we have a party animal dog mat for when her guests arrive, party hats, a party crown, and a sweet sign that reads, "LOVE is a four legged word!"  #8daysandcounting.

Be on the look out for another post on the last few details and of course the post party pictures, IF anyone shows up.  LOL! 

Salem Red Socks SURPRISE Birthday Party!

Allow me to set the stage, for the SURPRISE birthday party, for our double digit, firstborn boy!

On Mother's Day, after church, on Sunday, May 10th, Lilah, Jax, and I left in one car and Darren and Ty left in another.  We NEVER take two cars to church.  I made up a long story that I had to run out and get Darren's mother a Mother's Day gift.  Ty bought it!  On the way to the stadium, I FINALLY told Lilah and Jax that we were NOT actually on our way to go shopping, but rather we were on our way to decorate, at the Salem Red Socks stadium, for a surprise 10th birthday party.  They both squealed with excitement for their brother.  I was thankful for their help!

We decorated from  about 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm.  I decided to decorate using baseball items, the colors red, white, and blue, as well as the American Flag.  Let's face it... baseball is ALL AMERICAN!

A flag from A.C. Moore.

 A birthday banner that has been used since Ty's FIRST birthday party! #traditions

 Baseballs and peanuts!

A few baseball photos/props of the birthday boy!

For each party guests place setting, I used #redplatechargers, #baseballdinnerplates, #Americanflagnapkins, and #whitestyrofoamcups. I drew, onto the cups, baseball laces in red and the guests names in blue.

A personalized name poster. I purchased LARGE, white wooden letters from Michael's Craft store and painted them red.  I purchased a piece of white foam board, from the Dollar Tree, and hot glued the painted letters on the foam board.  Then I painted some baseball laces onto the foam board.  I LOVE the final look.  This poster board now resides in Ty's sports room.  

 My favorite decoration was the #10 balloon!

The "placemat" was faux grass, purchased from Lowes.

The twins and I were able to relax for about 15 minutes and watch the baseball players practice.  We had the entire stadium to ourselves.  It was very cool. 

I spy Lilah and Jax.

 At 2:45 pm, the guests arrived and patiently waited for the birthday boy to arrive.

Did Ty have ANY idea? NONE! As a matter of fact, Darren later shared with me that when he told Ty he had to run an errand, Ty began throwing a fit.  He refused to get his shoes on and begged to stay home alone! Darren demanded he get his shoes on and get in the car.  Ty eventually obeyed.  

Darren arrived, with Ty, at 3:00 pm.  We were hiding behind a white fence.  I spotted Darren and Ty and said, "He's here! Ready!?!?!?! On the count of 3 everyone yell surprise.  1, 2, 3!!!! SURPRISE!!!!"

Ty was extremely appreciative.  He came over to me immediately, hugged and thanked me! I told my girlfriend Jody that it was such a sweet reaction. She agreed. He had a smile from ear to ear!!!

Surprise parties are the BEST!