Decorating Cookies the Easy Way

O loves to make and decorate cookies. The best way to do this is to just by the premade icing tubes; they are so easy to use. I had promised O he could decorate the cookies on Friday, but we ran out of time. So, Sabbath morning, before church, I let him decorate cookies. At his Sabbath School class, he was acting pretty energetic and Marie asked him if he ate cookies for breakfast, which he responded to in the affirmative. Marie told me this, laughing, probably because she thought he did not have cookies for breakfast. But yes, he had. Lol.

(I might have done some decorating, too). I can't recall if I had cookies for breakfast that day.

Cookies and Milk

Welcome to A's party.  This year's theme was cookies and milk with a vintage (somewhat farm-like/somewhat school-like) flavor.

A's dress was made with the Yorkshire Mini pattern from Sewing in No Man's Land. This lady's dressmaking skills are amazing, by the way. I had some serious problems with sizing and let me tell you, I am glad she was able to get into the dress (it was tight)! I spent way too much of my party prep time making the dress, but I was pleased with the result.

 I made the top banner out of a linen-like fabric with freezer paper stencils created on the Silhouette. (Inspiration from Cake). The bottom banner was paper and also cut out on the Silhouette.

Milk jars are Starbucks Frappacino bottles with labels removed. The little freezer paper wrapped sandwhiches in the background were a big hit with those under the age of five. And some adults too.

This cake could be one of those 'nailed it' pictures on pinterest. I hesitate to give the link to my inspiration, but here it is. No surprise, Dandee put me to shame.

I aimed for as many types of cookies as possible, which ended up being only four. Really, it was enough. The lemon crinkle cookie recipe can be found here.

The s'more chocolate chip cookies can be found here and the double trouble ones here. This is the best picture of the cupcakes that I have, which are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes. I'll definitely hold onto this recipe!

This was an activity for the older kids. Kids planted a bean in half an egg shell. Beans are supposed to grow really fast. Although initially pleased with the activity, I think that the parents may have been a little less impressed on their way home since the kids were carrying these upside down (and losing the dirt) before they even got out the door. O didn't get to keep his because we went away for a few weeks right after A's birthday.

Friends went home with mini gingersnaps in a milk carton giftbox and flowers in vintage favor baskets. My mom found these somewhere. The milk carton template was generously made available for free download by Kristen of Paper Crave at The Sweetest Occasion.

My little sweetie with her Daddy.

The kids were super excited about the rainbow during the less than 5 minute rain shower that occurred mid-party.

A is One

We had gift opening with just the immediate family the day before A's actual birthday and big party. We gave A a walker that can be transformed into a ride-on and then a shopping cart. She was surprisingly super excited about this, as can be seen from her big grin. More mobility!

In Sancho's family, it is tradition for the rest of the children to get a small gift on their sibling's birthday. Oliver was very pleased with this.

Nana's gift to A.

Mommy's gift to A. This is another project out of Anna Marie Horner's Handmade Beginnings. I've modified it to include felt shapes attached by velcro under each flap. I'll try and post the whole quilt one of these days.

To the market, to the market

I finally got Dana Made's market skirt sewn up. The tutorial was for size two with instructions for altering the width for different sizes. However, I didn't see any for altering the length, so I just guessed. I was dreading making the pockets, but actually found it kind of fun! This last photo is the look A gives every time that she stands up from a sitting position on the unfortunately pink stairs. She is just so pleased with herself that she can do this.

Baby-in-the-Hoodie

I've literally been wanting to make A this jacket since before she was born. I even had the black and white gingham purchased prior to her birth. After my most recent exam, I finally got the chance to do it. It is from Anna Horner's Handmade Beginnings sewing book, which I love so much that I have probably made at least 1/4 of the projects in the book.

String of hearts.

Please excuse the color of my walls. Yep, that's right. The grey wall is sponge painted. I take no credit. It is a rental house.

The S+P owls are from Indigo. Love the home decor in that store.

Backing Into Corners

'A' is on the move- backwards that is. She can get up on her knees and hands, but thus far has only figured out how to make it work backwards. I so enjoy seeing her making all the changes and, for some reason, am excited about her learning to crawl. I really don't know why, though, as I love the stage she is at and am not that eager to baby-proof the house! I guess it is just exciting to see 'A' learning about herself and the world. These days, she is starting to like butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Peas are not a hit. She also loves to choose cars out of Oliver's car container - this can keep her entertained forever. I'm sure the cars are not technically baby acceptable, but they are certainly large enough not to be choking hazards!