I visited Lifeasmom.com’s Birthday Cake Round-up.
Why?
Because I love love love themed kid parties and making the cakes to go along with them.
This is the ladybug cake from my daughter’s 3rd birthday. I used my big glass measuring thingy from Pampered Chef because I remembered hearing at a party that you could use it to bake a cake. I finally found out how long to bake it by searching for the Barbie Cake recipe. I used mini-oreos for the spots and chocolate twizzlers for the legs and antennas, and a cupcake for the head.
And above is the full effect. I told you I love party themes. I made these flowers to go throughout the entire house.
And here’s my superman cake. It was totally freehand and I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but all the kids knew what it was, so that means it’s good, right?
And here’s the dining room wall decorated for that party. Like the beach towel tacked to the wall?
I’d love to share more, but that would require scanning since the others were taken back when we took party pics with one of those cameras that uses . . . um . . . y’know . . . film. Yes, that’s what that stuff is called.
I’ve followed in my mother’s footsteps and implemented the policy of only having a “friend” party every other year, starting when they’re three. I don’t go all out when we have the family parties, but to me, they’re just as fun and special. And my kids are totally okay with it because they know what to expect. The fourth birthday is the hardest since they had their first party at three. We’ll see how my daughter handles it, thankfully she’ll have the added benefit of two older brothers to tell her to get over it.
So why the title of this post? Because it’s true.
When I started this blog, I had no idea who would want to read it. I felt very alone, other than the people I saw on shows like Hoarders. Friends who have earned the level of trustworthiness (translated -love me anyway) status to be able enter the house when it’s at its worst are usually shocked. Even knowing me, they didn’t know that I had this “issue.” People often tell me that they wish they had the energy I do. But it’s creative energy. Energy to notice my house and keep it tidy, not so much.
I love to check out my follower’s blogs, and I must tell you that you guys are awesome. Seriously, you should go click through.
I’ll clarify that I am in no way calling any of my readers slobs. I assume that most struggle with housekeeping, though probably not as much as me. But when someone comments that my thoughts are similar to theirs, and I go to their blog and find that they are unbelievably creative, love beauty, appreciate art and are intelligent, it makes me feel so good. I like to think that I’m a little of each of those things, but sometimes my slob issues make me feel like I must be kidding myself.
And hey, now that I’m this far in the de–slobification process, surely I’ll be able to put even more energy into the parties next year when I don’t have to spend an entire week cleaning the house first!
And for anyone reading who is totally not a slob, my friend whose creative kids’ parties beat mine out everytime is not a slob at all. You can drop by her house anytime and it looks great.
Check out more cake ideas at Lifeasmom.com.
Buttercup says
Isn't it funny how easy it seems to be plan, put together, and pull off a party? (Or class parties, or birthday treats for school) But planning, putting together and pulling off keeping the house clean seems to be impossible. I can be the most organized person on earth when it comes to those things, but my house looks like all your "before" pictures, lol. (I'll have to post my werewolf cupcakes someday…if I do say so myself, I was damn proud of them!)
Beautiful job on those parties!! I LOVE the ladybug/flowers!
Nony says
So true Buttercup!
mom2priceboys says
I adored this. Once again your post is so relevent in my life as right now my 2 tweenaged boys are cleaning their rooms (a skill I cannot teach them) for our first guy sleepover 12th birthday party this weekend.I am lucky for decorations, as it only needs to include outlets for dualing video games LOL, my other responsibilities are paying the pizza guy and baking a brownie cake frosting not required.
Anonymous says
off the topic but I went at your very beginning of your journey. I am reading it wishing I could sit here and read it with my coffee but I need to do something around the house. So far I trying to stay warm, make upteen phone calls for hubby. second lol. clean out the refrigerator, and working on the shining my sink (flylady) Now I need to start pizza dough, and work on livingand dining room. Plus keep working on the laundry. Have a great weekend. Will cont. to read about your journey.
Catherine says
Wow, I love the ladybug cake! Great job!
Anonymous says
I'm so proud of you. You are doing a great job, and it takes so much energy to make changes. I'm struggling with energy myself right now, and reading your posts make me want to get up and get some things done!! You are really working hard to put your family first. Keep it up!! (Loving you unconditionally)
shirley says
love the cakes!!! i enjoy making special b’day cakes too and i’m so glad that i now have grandkids to make them for! this year’s cakes have been a purple castle for a certain 5 year old princess and a “panna bear” for another g’daughter’s 2nd b’day. in a few weeks it will be a dinosaur for my grandson and a few weeks after that will be toadstool cupcakes for a fairy/gnome/woodland themed 1st b’day party for my youngest g’daughter.
you are absolutely right!…..we ARE a lot of fun!
now, aren’t you glad you cleaned out those junk drawers and found all those tacks you needed to pin up the cute flowers? 😉