Monday, June 29, 2009
This party was for a one year old, but I knew that children of all ages would be there. A good way to include party guests of varying ages is to set out activities that they can just grab and do with little explanation. For example, these jars held bubblegum, mini bubbles usually used at weddings, sidewalk chalk, and sand shovels. The party was held outside at a park, so these were great for the kids to use there or to take home and have for later.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
This is how I make a paper banner.
directions:
1. Cut out circles and letters, about 3 or 4 inches.
2. Choose your ribbon color
3. Using adhesive, stick the letter to the circle
4. Hole punch two holes to the top of the circle to thread ribbon
5. Thread the ribbon through the top, leaving enough ribbon on each side to hang
6. Ta da, you’re ready to celebrate
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Here is the drink container that I scored at Target at the last minute. It worked out great. Next time I’ll use some vinyl lettering on the front of the container to say something fun like “take a drink” or whatever. I bought bottled water in regular and mini sizes and I peeled off the wrappers to give them a cleaner look.
For all of the adorable pictures and posts from the Pink First Birthday Party, click on the tag below.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Have a baby turning one? If you are as diligent as I was with my kids, then she hasn’t been exposed to lots of allergens yet. So why make her birthday the first time? Make a cake just for her without tree nuts, peanuts, soy, eggs and dairy and you can have fun on her big day instead of worrying about something like this: my son has a sensitivity to milk and the dairy-filled frosting he smeared all over himself on his first birthday put a damper on the festivities as we had to stop the party to give him a full bath to calm his itchy, red skin. This recipe is worth the trip to the healthy food store for a little peace of mind.
Simple Cake
2/3 cup rice milk
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup light agave nectar
1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 325°. Cut 2 circles from parchment paper to fit 2 six-inch round cake pans. Lightly oil and flour the round cake pans and place parchment circles in the bottom. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice milk and apple cider vinegar. Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes to curdle. With a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat in agave nectar, applesauce and vanilla. Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix until smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of both cakes comes out clean. Let pans cool for 30 minutes and then carefully turn out onto a cooling rack. Once both cakes are completely cooled, stack (with a layer of frosting or organic jam between cake layers) and frost.
Frosting
(this may contain soy, depending on your margarine):
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated shortening
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated and dairy-free margarine, like Earth Balance
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup rice milk
Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes. Add the vanilla and rice milk. Beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy.
(Both recipes adapted from the book “Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World”)
For all of the adorable pictures and posts from the Pink First Birthday Party, click on the tag below.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Ever thought about having a birthday party at a park? How about making sure that no one else can use the tables you’ve planned on decorating? For this party I rented the largest covered pavilion at the park ensuring us total use of the space. Also, most parks have bathrooms, drinking fountains and play areas to keep the kids entertained.
For all of the adorable pictures and posts from the Pink First Birthday Party, click on the tag below.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
directions:
1. You will need: tape, adhesive of your choice, sucker stick, ribbon, and any paper shapes that you want to use. I used a scalloped punch, a smaller circle punch, and a number “1″ punch.
2. Using adhesive, I stuck the “1″ onto the small circle and then I stuck those onto the scalloped circle.
3. With a small piece of tape I taped the sucker stick to the back of the scalloped circle.
4. Then I tied a ribbon on the bottom. Easy Peasy. Now go find a cupcake.
For all of the adorable pictures and posts from the Pink First Birthday Party, click on the tag below.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I used a lot, a LOT, of cake stands for this party, but the two tall pink ones were definitely my favorite. They are pink milk glass made by Mosser Glass in Cambridge, Ohio.
For all of the adorable pictures and posts from the Pink First Birthday Party, click on the tag below.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I tried to use the number “1″ as much as I could at this party. I had this idea in my head to put ones in the flower arrangements somehow, maybe on a stick or something. But finally it came to me that I could just apply a vinyl “1″ to the vase and it would be so inexpensive and easy. I ordered my vinyl from Chatty Walls. I like the way these turned out, but I’d try one of their colored vinyls next time, maybe pink?
For all of the adorable pictures and posts from the Pink First Birthday Party, click on the tag below.
