Fun Finds for Birthdays

I got lucky at a garage sale on Saturday and found some fun 'props' for the ninja party I was putting on for Johnny this weekend.  It's too bad I didn't find film in time for the polaroid camera I bought (simply for looks in this case), but the typewriter was the perfect thing for the kids to 'register' themselves for 'ninja training school', aka backyard obstacle course and party games.  The origami stars made a fun craft, although I had pre-folded some of the papers for kids that were really having trouble with the instructions.  They were supposed to be like 'throwing stars'... but apparently real ninja throwing stars only have 3 points, as one of the kids so kindly pointed out. 

Peony Princess

The palest of pink peony in my vintage Korean celadon bud vase has even our little kitten stopping to smell the flowers...
Hope you have a great weekend.  It's Johnny's 8th birthday today so we are planning and getting ready for a slumber party complete with mini golf and movies!

Home Parties

I've been holding onto the notion of having small home birthday parties for as long as we possibly can.  It is no easy thing to entertain 6-8 boys in our small place if it rains and so we left Sasha's kid birthday party for this past weekend.  The weather was perfect, we set up game stations, only invited 6 extra kids (+ my 2), made it for 2 hours, and provided lots of snacks & goodies.  Simple, fun and not too expensive.  Games included Balloon Darts (yep, pop balloons with darts), Drive-way bowling, and Bocce Ball.  Fun and not too competitive.
Candy Apples with 'Nerds' on the bottom to keep them from sticking to my pan (we had some milk allergies in the mix so I couldn't do caramel apples...).
And a 'Vegan' recipe for 'Wacky Chocolate Cake' (using 'Earth Balance' instead of Butter)
1.5 cups Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
3 Tbsp Cocoa
pinch Salt

1 tbsp White Vinegar
1 tsp Vanilla
5 tbsp melted Butter or Earth Balance for Vegan/milk allergies
1 cup Warm Water

Dry ingredients into a bowl (sift if you feel necessary, I just whisk it).
Wet ingredients in a large Measuring cup- yes it looks kind of icky and I know there are no eggs...
Pour wet into dry and mix with a spatula until mixed.  Pour into a 9X9" pan or cup-cake tins.  Bake at 375 F for 25-30 min for pan, 20 min for cupcakes. Don't overbake- if the top springs back when you gently touch it it's done. Quick, easy, moist and yummy. No icing necessary.  Especially great when you run out of Milk and eggs when people stop by...

Playing in the Sand

 One of the best things about living in and around Vancouver is that we aren't far from the ocean.  There is something so therapeutic about heading down to the beach on a balmy February day and making a sandcastle with the boys.  It was great to see their faces and imaginations at work as they built tunnels and roadways, borrowing buckets to see whether the water would make it through their canals. 
Today we celebrate Sasha turning 6.  It is amazing that the time has flown by so quickly and every time he grows a year older I feel a little sad that he can't stay 3, 4 or 5 for a little longer. 

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy 60th Birthday to my dear Mom! I recently found these old photographs of my Mom as a 4 or 5 year old back in the 50's. Her poise and grace is still characteristic of how she carries herself today! Have a great day Mom & lots of love!

The Big 5 and hand-made Birthdays!

I've been planning Sasha's 5th birthday party this week and I can't help checking in with Sharilyn of Lovely Design as she plans her daughter's 2nd birthday. How adorable are those goody bags and invitations! Too cute and so inspiring!

There is something so great about a 'hand-made' birthday party! So far we have managed to keep our parties at home, have under 10 kids come and keep things pretty simple and fun. This year it will be much the same, but I'm still working on a game plan. Not that my ideas will be even close to how cute little Adelaide's party was...