Chase's 7th Birthday!

How is it possible that I haven't posted about Chase's 7th birthday yet?? ((Spoiler Alert: Today is February 3, 2017, but I'm going to backdate this post to October 2016 so it shows up in the right spot on my blog!)). It was such a fun day with so many exciting ninja things that Chase loved! I won't do a huge recap in text here; as usual, I will let the pictures tell the story!

First up? The invitation! Simple and fun!

I was proud of the Lloyd (from LEGO Ninjago) cake I made. Lots of fondant (side note: did you know fondant is basically just marshmallows and powdered sugar? whoa.). I continue to learn about making and working with fondant every time I cover a cake with it, and this one was no exception! Chase requested a chocolate cake with cookies & cream buttercream filling, and he wanted it to look like Lloyd, his favorite character from the show. I did my best! :)

A few fun party accents: the LEGO Duplo napkin holder:

The LEGO utensil holder:

I let Chase choose the entire menu for his party. It will come as no surprise he picked a wide variety of healthy choices from across the food pyramid.

Ya, right.

Let's see... fruit snacks!

Granola bars!

Cheese puffs!

Fruit (finally something healthy)!

Veggie tray.

And of course, M&Ms.

Beverages were simple and included lemonade and bottled water.

Some of the lovely party decor, compliments of LO! I especially loved her Lloyd made from crape paper!

Outside, hubs had put together a Ninja Obstacle Course in the backyard for the party guests to enjoy. Chase LOVED it!

Practicing his ninja star throwing skills.

Such determination!

Go, Ninja Chase!

Time to sing and have cake! Love the big smile on this boy's face!

Make a wish, sweet boy!

Naturally, he loved opening his presents after the food, fun, and cake!

A special birthday decor addition from LO introducing all of the ninja!

What a wonderful day we had! We are so very blessed to have this amazing, incredible boy in our family! We love him SO much!! He is such a blessing... I just can't even put it into words!

Happy 7th Birthday, Chase!!!!!

LO's 9th Birthday Extravaganza: Part I

Happy 9th Birthday, LO!

We had such a wonderfully busy weekend celebrating a certain little girl's 9th birthday! She's been planning her party for several weeks now, and was responsible to oversee several of the details.

I'll include a bit of commentary with these images below, but just a heads up... this is mostly a montage of photos from her big party!

Here she is decorating the sea star cookies we made for one of the party favors.

Beautiful sweet girl! This is one of the pics I took of her in the seashell crown she designed for her party.

Her custom mermaid artwork!

The sea star cookie favors!

A lovely centerpiece project we worked on together. I loved the added homeschool lesson that came from this project!

Easily my FAVORITE centerpieces. Thanks, Pinterest!

Artwork also designed by LO. She and I worked together on the "9" covered with mermaid "scales."

My first attempt making homemade marshmallow fondant for a cake!

I was rather pleased with how the cake turned out. I learned a lot about what I did wrong, so that was super helpful! She designed the cake bunting herself.

Cupcakes with custom cupcake toppers using the birthday girl's artwork!

Chocolate seashells in "sand" (a.k.a. Golden Oreos).

Loved this punch recipe! Hawaiian Punch, pineapple juice, and Sprite!

LO decided to "bedazzle" the water bottles... ;)

Because every birthday party needs a Sundae Bar!

Yes, we bedazzled the forks and spoons...

One of her favorite decorations: the seahorse from Hobby Lobby!

My birthday princess!

Silly girl!

She wanted to light her own candle {very first time ever!}.

Yummy sundaes!

After the party at the house, it was time to head to the pool for more fun! Here's crazy Chase doing his thing!

LO with her sweet cousin!

More Chase!

And of course E had to get in on the action!

LO had a great time at her party and I think all of her friends had fun, too! It was such a wonderful day and was so much fun to focus on and celebrate my sweet girl. I just love her so much and I am so happy that I get to be her mom!

Stay tuned for Part II of her birthday extravaganza!