Gallop Over to the Birthday Party!

 We really aren't sure why Kylie chose a "horse" theme for her third birthday.  When I asked if she meant "My Little Pony," she shook her head, "No (Silly Grandma!)." 

Her mom created an invitation with a cute pink horse and polka dots, so a cookie was born!  I used the brush embroidery technique for the horse's mane and tail.  (Thank you, Ali Bee, http://snargblog.blogspot.com/
for teaching us brush embroidery at Spring Fling.)  Of course, there had to be some bling on this horse, so the brushed areas received a touch of disco dust.  (That stuff should really be called Magic Dust!  Love!)

Favors are nice, but the kids enjoy munching on cookies during the party, so I created a platter which included two special cookies.  The birthday cake with candle is huge.  Of course, the birthday girl reached for that one first!  Adults tend to pick out the smallest cookies . . . and return to the platter several times (hoping no one will notice).  Thus, the reason for stars . . .

Speaking of stars . . . here are some of my reasons for making cookies . . .

Kylie (3) chose the biggest cookie . . . or did she really recognize her name?

Little Ben (16 months) lights up when he sees a cookie tin.



"Please, Mommy, just one more . . . again."



Jack (3) took his "Giddy Up" cookie to the great outdoors. 
Kendra (5) was busy playing.  I wasn't able to snap a cookie picture of her.



Kylie, our Giddy Up Girl, celebrating a third birthday!



Happy 3rd Birthday, Kylie!  Thanks for inviting us over to your stable  (complete with your front door decorated as a barn door).  It was a fun party!

Peace, Love, Cookies to All!



Kendra in Wonderland

Let me introduce Alice, at least my cookie interpretation of Alice in Wonderland. 

http://www.karenscookies.net/Girl-Cookie-Cutter-KC-_p_1804.html

I had an assortment of girl cutters to select from when I knew that I would be creating an Alice cookie. One was rather small. Another had arms that could easily break off in a favor bag. Then this little gal appeared in our goodie bag at Spring Fling! She was perfect, and she was free! Mike and Karen of Karen's Cookies were so generous in their sponsorship of this cookie event.  I digressed . . . let me return to Alice . . .

It is hard to believe our oldest granddaughter will be five and starting kindergarden in the fall.  It was her second birthday that started this cookie journey for me.  Since then, not a birthday has passed (or a grandchild born) without a cookie to commemorate the celebration.  Kendra has been stuck on princess themes for a few years, so her mom was thrilled to hear that Kendra wanted an Alice in Wonderland party for this birthday.  She loves the movie.  I find it a little creepy and didn't want to do any characters that could create nightmares for her young guests.

When I asked Kendra what cookie she wanted as a party favor, she told me in a rather matter of fact tone, "Grandma, you take a circle and you cover it in black.  That's the black hole that Alice falls into."  That would have been just too simple!

Instead, Grandma pulled out the crayons and the cutters, drawing some other possibilities for party favors.  Kendra is rather selective.  A dress is NOT Alice.  She wants a face.  I tried to sneak one by with just eyes, but Kendra quickly told me, "I like this one, but add a smile."

So, smiles she does . . . I also made a key and the Cheshire cat to keep Alice company in the favor basket.

Hopefully, this small assortment isn't a problem when handing them out to guests.  I usually like a selection of one for small children, but if the granddaughter asks for three . . . Grandma makes three . . . grandparent law, right?

Happy 5th birthday, Sweet Kendra!  Please don't grow up too quickly!

Kendra and sister Kylie.

Elmo . . . Round 2

Ready for Payton's Party 2012

Nothing like sunshine and smiles, which easily describes the day that Elmo was done and ready to party.

My first Elmo in 2009

This was actually my second run at Elmo cookies.  My first batch was done three years ago when I first began this cookie adventure.  Fortunately, I can compare the two versions and see some personal growth in my skills (or more tips and tricks in my back pocket).

Happy Faces 2012

These are going to Payton, celebrating her second birthday.  She loves Elmo, so hopefully she loves these cookies as well! 

At least I won't be there to clean up red and black frosting faces. 

Enjoy and Happy Birthday!

Fireman Jack Turns 3!

Our little fireman celebrated his third birthday in true fireman style.  Last Easter, we gave Jack a fireman raincoat and boots, which has been his "uniform" for the past year.  Grandpa Zaban has equipped Jack with every version of firetruck he can possibly find as well as a video that taught Jack how to slide down a pole and jump into his clothes when the siren sounds. Jack visited the Frankfort Firehouse several times and has stopped at the Kenosha station for unofficial inspections in the past few months.  So . . . it was no surprise when I got a call from Jack requesting "Sire" cookies for his birthday.  He didn't really care if I brought Grandpa to his party, but he wanted to be sure I would have cookies with me! 

Of course, Grandma made a variety for all the little ones to sample during the party.  Jack reached for the trucks.  Brother Ben had to shadow Jack.  Kylie liked the dalmation dogs, as did Kendra. None of the kids wanted a small cookie . . . bigger is better . . . small is for babies.

I also made firetrucks with the "3" done in a hose design.  These were bagged up with "3's" and "J's" decorated with dalmation spots or a firehose.  In addition to giving them to those of us at his party, Jack shared them with his babysitter, pediatrician, and guys back at the fire station in Kenosha.

Seriously, THIS is why I make cookies!  The little ones are so excited to open the tin and to share with their friends.  (For once, we got a picture of a grandchild holding the cookie facing the camera!)

Kylie, Kendra, Jack and Ben . . . The four of you make my life sweeter!

Ben Turns One!

Curious George for Curious Ben.

It's official!  We have no more babies in the family.  The littlest of the grandkids turned one.  The theme for his birthday party was Curious George, so Grandma was busy creating plenty of monkey cookies. 

Of course, just monkey cookies would be way to easy.  Grandma had to throw in some bananas, balloons, candles and special message cookies as well.

A little cookie variety for Ben's Birthday platter.

Cake was a Smash Hit!

Look at this happy little guy!  He loved his party.  All the cousins had such fun. 

Fashionably Fun Birthday Cookies

Our granddaughters' babysitter requested cookies for her daughter's sleepover party.  Melanie just redecorated her bedroom in hot pink, black and white, so we decided to stay with that color scheme.  The invitations were birthday cakes, so the main cookie was a cake dripping in frosting and topped with 9 candles to mark her 9th birthday! Melanie is a very stylish gal, so the zebra print on her initial seemed to fit her personality.