It's Never Too Late for Pictures of Cupcakes

In the midst of all the packing and unpacking (thankfully, not of the same box or then you'd know I had totally gone off the deep end), I neglected to post pictures of Sydney's birthday bbq. Here's a smattering of the day's festivities, and if you're so inclined you can click on a photo and be transported to the Flickr set for more pictures.

Since the weather was hot enough for swimming, I decided to have the party down at the creek. It's usually a couple degrees cooler there, and then the kids can swim and all is well. Plus, we'd never had a full-blown birthday party at the creek, and I like being original like that. Or difficult. The line between the two is a bit thin.

It requires a little bit of extra work having parties at the creek.

There is a certain amount of finesse required to get a bbq down a steep hill. I didn't see how it got to the creek, but as if by magic, it was there when I got there. The BBQ fairies delivered it, I guess. Just like they delivered the tables and chairs. I love the BBQ fairies. They're so handy.

Sydney had requested a butterfly cake, so I did my best.

I was happy with how it turned out. I'm totally converted to icing in sandwich baggies. They're a cake decorating miracle.

I knew the cake wouldn't feed everyone, so I did some cupcakes as well.

That blue icing? It was purple until I took the cupcakes outside. And then the sun turned them blue. Fortunately, Sydney saw them when they were purple and so she didn't mind the color shift. Icing in baggies was again my decorating trick. As well as microwaved canned frosting to dip the cupcakes in. Makes them smooth. Or in my case, "smooth-ish."

I got my cupcakes tips and inspiration from this book. If you like creative cupcakes, you need this book. It's very cool.

All in all, it was a great afternoon. A little song,

a little sand,

and some big smiles

(that would be my super adorable nephew smiling like he always does).

Several of us stayed down at the creek long after the party ended, watching the kids build sand castles, the swallows swooping across the water. It was a perfect day for the greatest little five year-old I know.

Comments

[Alison]

super cute cupcakes. :) I like the microwaving and dipping idea. And you worked wonders with the plastic bag. I've been a little negligent in reading blogs lately, but thought i'd stop by here... sorry to hear about your house plans being changed but so encouraged to hear your attitude toward it. I have really been learning that when the Lord brings something into my life (especially something I can't change!) it is always so much better to go along with it and find the things to be thankful for. Keep seeking him! (And I'm only a little jealous of where you get to live. :))

[Jen @ The Short Years]

I am totally in love with the sandwich bag icing thing too. I had never heard of the microwaving and dipping thing, though. I'll have to try it. Your cupcakes are supper cute!

[Megan]

You always make the coolest cakes! Those cupcakes are great too. Did anyone ever teach you about baking or did you teach yourself?

[Tamara]

Woohoo - I'm so glad you posted these pics - Ellie is having her 4th b-day party on Saturday - a "butterfly" themed party and now I know just how I will do her cupcakes... can you e-mail me the "directions" for microwaving the canned frosting and dipping???

[Margaret]

I am impressed with that lovely cake AND those cupcakes! Syd is beaming.

[violetismycolor]

What a cute cake and what wonderful cupcakes. Did you save one for me? Didn't I ever tell you how MUCH I love cupcakes? Great photos.

[Laura]

I spoke with a barbecue fairy a day or two after this event; he confided that his is no easy task. Syd will appreciate all the effort that goes into these celebrations when she is older: good job of documenting!