Lego Brick Cake

I make my kiddos homemade cakes every year.  It's one of our birthday traditions.  My son's cakes have included...  Winnie the Pooh, Train, Thomas, McQueen, Spiderman, Scooby Doo...  This year it is a Lego Brick theme.  If you look online you will see many beautiful Lego Brick Cakes out there...  like this one I found here.

Is this person who made this from Ace of Cakes or what???  I will say their directions for this cake do not fit the picture. 

If you google Lego cakes in images, you can see a million tries at this cake!

My try probably falls somewhere in the middle of the pretty scale.  I know it will taste awesome because I used my Grammy's Yellow cake recipe!  Here it is.  Ta-da!

Now, I ended up making a sheet cake.  I actually had enough cake for another brick...  but at around 12:30 last night that brick ended up in the trash because I was tired and began to think...  Who is going to eat all the leftovers???  Me, of course!  I don't need a yummy tasting cake staring at me following the birthday weekend.  So a big portion ended up in the trash!  Better there than on my hips later.  Right?

I used Little Debbie Cup Cakes as the knobs on the Brick.  Some websites tell you to use large marshmallows or rice krispie treats shaped as circles. 

You can't tell from the picture, but one brick is on top of another.  I used a large thick poster board as my bottom.  I then iced that in green.

As easy as this may look, it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.  The Birthday Boy hasn't seen it yet.  When he does I am sure I will think it was worth the work when I see his toothless smile. 

EASY Lego Party Marshmallow Pops!

Gearing up for a Lego Birthday Party for my son.  We have done BIG Star Wars and Spiderman Parties in the past.  This year we are keeping it as simple as I can possibly stand.  He was allowed to invite four friends over for four hours of Lego Fun.  We will play Lego games, go mini-golfing, eat, and have fun building. 

I saw these lego pops and had to make them!!!  They looked easy to make and I think I even made it easier than the directions on the site I found them on. 

First off...  Get a bag of large marshmallows,  mini marshmallows, yellow wilton melting candy  ,

Lollipop sticks, and an edible pen!

I let them dry in a Styrofoam square.

Put the large Marshmallow on the stick first and then add the mini marshmallow on top.  Roll the two mallows in the melted chocolate and let dry.  I did use a butter knife to smooth the chocolate and make it even all around the Lego head.  Once they are dry, draw on your face with the edible pen.  My hubby even had fun drawing the faces with me. 

Aren't they cute???  I will add them to the table with the snacks and cake.  I also wrapped some to put in the treat bags.

These were fun and easy to make!!!

Now on to making the homemade Lego Games and Some other Lego Fun which I will post later. 

Magical Birthday Parties!

I LOVE parties!!! Cannot stress that enough. Always have since I was a kid. I love fancy table clothes, balloons, decorations, and the happy feelings! I remember as a kid making confetti out of a hole punch for a week so I could throw it at my friend on her birthday. As an adult, I LOVE planning a party or hosting an event. It can be stressful, but the fun and the final outcome out weigh the stress.

This year I got the best award for my party madness... as I was working on the favors for my sons party, my son came to check out the goods and said; "Mom, you always make my parties so fun and you work so hard for me!" That made it all worth it!!!

My kids will only want the themed parties for a few years... pretty soon they will be all grown up and I hope they will think back to their birthdays with fond memories. I love seeing my kids light up at their birthday parties. Some people probably don't agree will my method and may think I am spoiling my kids... but I don't think so... Birthdays are special days and is their one day to feel like the king or queen on the day... The rest of the year, it normal and we try not to live with lots of glitter and glitz.

Well, this year I took the easy road (unlike last year and the year before), for my son's 7th Birthday Party and had the party at an Ooogles and Googles instead of our home... Totally stress free for me. All I did was make the favors. My son choose the theme of wizards. The party was so much fun. All the party goers became wizards. Dressed in the wizard hat an all. They even had the opportunity to make a magic potion that bubbled up (baking soda and vinegar in a mini cauldron). The kids had a blast, my son loved it, and I just took pictures and enjoyed. Wow!

My only contribution was the goodies bags. I love making goodies bags for my kids parties. The picture above shows this years goodie bag. It had a Star Wars Pez Dispenser, Magic Wand Candy (from Oriental Trading), Eye Ball (Oriental Trading), Magic Stickers (Oriental Trading), Box of Tricks (Michael's Dollar Bins), skull candy bracelet (Michael's). I bargain hunt all year for treats to put in the bags and every year I make a CD of my son's favorite songs. This year most of the songs were sports related... WE are living in the CITY of CHAMPIONS, you know! I love make the CD label and collecting the songs in one place.

You can view my Cars, Thomas, Spiderman, and Star Wars CD's Too!

Every year, my mom makes her famous cookies... Below were this year's magic cookie... They were yummy.

In the past she has made; trains, spider man, and darth vader cookies...

Another birthday tradition I have is that I make my kids cakes every year using the Wilton Pans. People think it is so hard... but really it takes time, but is easy to do. I love the finished product. This year was Scooby and Little Mermaid!

Hopefully you will find an idea or two you can use for a party you are planning! Have fun!

My Pumpkin in So Big!

Seven years old today! What? Where has time gone? If the next seven years go as fast as the first seven, I will have a 14 year old soon.


This little guy has grown quite a bit since these pics. were taken... but he is still my baby! He may drives me crazy on some days, but on most days I smile and thank God for the gift of his precious life.

I close this post with a song I loved when he was a baby by Twila Paris and the words still ring true.

"Your Whole Life Long"
I pray the Lord will hold you close and keep you through the night
That you will wake up smiling in the early morning light
That He will always comfort you and make you brave and strong
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life long
I pray that you will grow up to be wise and good and true
I pray that you will please the Lord in everything you do
I pray that you will hear His voice and learn to sing His song
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life long
I pray that you will follow Him
I pray that you will follow Him
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life long
I pray the Lord will bless you with His presence every day
I pray he will protect you every step along the way
Help you love what's right and lead you far away from wrong
I pray that you will follow Him your whole life

Happy Birthday Butter Man! I love you!

This Cupcake is Soooo cute!!!

I got my mom a big cup cake pan from Williams and Sonoma for her birthday. Last night she tried the pan out and her creation is seen here! Isn't it the cutest thing? She said it was very easy to make and it came out of the pan very easily. You use one box of cake mix or your favorite recipe and cook as directed in the pan. Then decorate how you like. So many different ways you could decorate. Wouldn't this be cute for Valentine's Day? Decorate it with pink icing and sprinkle with candy hearts. Cute and easy! Below is what it looks like cut.

Amazon has the Wilton cupcake pan which looks very similar and has gotten good reviews. Follow the link and click on customer pictures to see all the things people have done with this pan.

There is a good cake recipe and pictures of the GREAT cupcake on the link below.

http://dobetter.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/great-vanilla-cupcake/

Star Wars Under Construction

It's a work in progress, but I have posted a page on Teaching Heart about the Star Wars Party I had for my son.

You can watch me work on the Star Wars page here:
http://www.teachingheart.net/starwars.htm

Candy Birthday Cake

I have heard of a Diaper Cake (my friend Mara makes awesome diaper cakes). You can see how to make one here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bKwE9POjnE

Have you heard of a candy cake??? Isn't this so cute? My friend Nancy made this for her mom for her birthday. Thought I would share it! Thanks Nancy!

Here is one for Christmas:
http://www.wrapcandy.com/candy_cake.php

Birthday Parties In South Hills Pittsburgh Area

My friend Nancy came up with a great list of local birthday parties. I thought I would post it here in hopes it may help some one in the blogging world. Thanks Nancy for all your work on this!!!

Local venues for kid birthdays

Iceoplex 724-745-6666 jchapman@iceoplex.net
2 packages to chose from- 1 hour public skate or 1 hour court- includes beverages, treat bags and hostess. Private room for hour 15 min. Includes 9 guests and birthday child. Prices- court $323(Pizza) or $303(hotdogs) skate- $210 (Pizza) $190 (hotdog)


Trax Farms 412-835-3246x113

Ages 3-7. 3 packages to choose from included in all-reserved tables, cups, napkins, utensils, placemats and balloons. Crafts to choose from are bug box, backyard nature craft, garden party craft, seed buddy craft or tea party craft. Seasonal crafts also available. Party area may NOT be peanut free. 12 child minimum. Packages are $9.99, $11.99 and 12.99 per child.

Young Chefs Academy-724-941-6672 http://www.youngchefsacademy.com/

Ages 4 and up. Several packages available. Includes 1 ½ hour, invites, drinks, paper goods and balloons. Contact for more information. Prices per child are $20, $25 and $30.


The Little Gym 724-942-0100 http://www.tlgpittburghsouthhillspa.com/
All ages. Includes 1 hour gym with instructors, ½ hour party room, invites, paper goods and drinks. $280 non- members, $250 for members. 15 kids $9 per child after. Maximum 20 children.

Fired Up 724-941-0302 http://www.firedup.com/
2 hours of time in studio, use of all paints, stencils etc. Selection of ready-to-paint bisque items. $12 per child.

Cool Springs Golf- 412-831-5080 http://www.coolspringsgolfcenter.com/
All ages. Private party area for 3 hours. Indoor party room or outside tent with picnic table. (Specify when booking.) $25 Mini-golf prices $4.00 per person, batting cages 45 pitches $4.00. All food extra.

Oogles and Googles 724-222-kidz http://www.ooglesngoogles.com/
Prices are for 12 children. Three packages to chose from, all include themed costumes for each child during party, face painting, make-up for girls, tattoos. This is $200, $5.00 add. Child. Packages 2 & 3 include themed invites and thank yous, paper products, juice and souvenir photo of every child. $285. $10 add. Child. Package 3 is 2 hours of entertainment, themed party favors, cake and 2 extra large pizzas. $365. $15 per add child.

South Fayette Pool- 412-221-4542x230 www.southfayette.org/aquatics/index.html

If you are interested in renting the pool for a private party, details follow: A non-refundable deposit of $60.00 is needed to schedule party times/dates.
Less than 15 swimmers = $45.00 upon arrival
16-25 swimmers = $4.00/swimmer upon arrival
26 or more swimmers = $3.00/swimmer + additional guard fee of $30
This price covers the cost of lifeguards and use of the facility for 2 hours. You are permitted to arrive 20 minutes prior to the party for set up. Food and drinks are permitted. Parties will be held on Saturdays from 2:00-4:00 and 4:30-6:30. Due to scheduling restraints, parties must be cleared 15 minutes after the ending time or a $25.00 additional fee will be charged

Other area places for birthdays

Trolley Museum 724-228-9256 http://www.pa-trolley.org/

Mt. Lebanon Ice/ Swim Center 412-561-4363 www. Mtlebanon.org

Scrap booker’s Dream 724-942-8951 http://www.scrapbookers-dream.com/

The Art Shoppe-724-941-1688 http://www.theartsshoppegallery.com/

Little Lake Theater- 724-745-6300 http://www.littlelaketheatre.org/

Destinta - 412-914-0995 www.destinta.com/t1.php

Route 19 Bowling Center -724-225-4800

Build-A Bear - (412) 851-9033 http://www.buildabear.com/

Chuck E. Cheese- 412) 257-2570- http://www.chuckecheese.com/


Helpful websites

http://www.coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com/index.html

http://www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org/

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/birthday/index.html

http://www.party411.com/kids.html

www.amazingmoms.com/htm/KidsBirthdayParties.htm

http://www.alphamom.com/buzzoff/2008/04/best_ideas-for-kids_birthday_parties.php

http://familyfun.go.com/

www.partyideaskids.com/birthday.html

http://www.birthdaydirect.com/

http://www.celebrateexpress.com/

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1581036,00.html

Birthday Parties!!! Star Wars Part II

Tip Junkie is running a week of birthday ideas... For my friends that think we go all out for Z's parties, hop over to Tip Junkie and check out the super cool parties she is featuring there.


The Teaching Heart Spiderman Birthday Party was featured on the Tip Junkie blog!


Right now I am about a week away from Z's big Star Wars Jedi Training Camp Birthday. I love planning parties as I told you here. Still there is so much I want to do and getting it all done is always the problem. So far the garage is cleaned out, the games are all planned, and I have written two scripts (one that includes rain and one that doesn't) that detail how the party is to be set-up. My philosophy is when you have more than five boys in the a small area, keeping them constantly busy usually keeps them out of trouble...


Last night I was working on party stuff from about 9 till 2:00 AM. Time flies when you are having fun. You should see my to-do list... It is sooo long. My hubby is very much into the planning of this party. He even created a 12 minute training camp video complete with Star Wars clips to match the games I have planned. He recorded my son reading a few lines and added my son to the video. Yoda is even on the video wishing Z a happy 6th birthday. Hopefully Z loves the video and it will be a nice keepsake for us. My daughter, who is 2 1/2, has seen it and it kept her attention very well! I am hoping the kids at the party will enjoy it too.


Of course I have already started checking the weather and they are calling for rain... We will manage with the rain, but I would much rather be able to use the outside too! Fingers crossed!


With all this party talk, here are a few links that party planners may find interesting or helpful!


How To Throw a Kids Party Without Costing a Fortune - good tips on keeping the cost down. I also like the explanations of why people throw kids parties.

Birthdays Without Pressure - They tell you what an out of control party is... You have to read these examples!

Time Article - Very interesting about what some people do.

FYI: I learned something new while planning this party. TRY YOUTUBE for ideas you can really see. Go to www.youtube.com and search for the party theme you are looking for (star wars birthday, princess birthday, Dora birthday...) and watch other peoples clips from their party. I think I watched every Star Wars Birthday Part Youtube Video ever made. That may explain why I haven't gone to bed till at least 1:00 AM for about a week now!!!

Here are some youtube examples.
Star Wars Birthday Party
Star Wars Party II - hopefully the kids don't do this to Vader at Z's party!!!
More Star Wars - PS. if the Birthday Gods want to give me their weather, I'll take it!
Jedi Training Birthday
Princess Birthday Party
Spiderman
High School Musical Party

33 Years of Blessings

If I could pick a song that summed up my life it would be Blessed by Martina McBride. Today is my birthday and I feel so thankful for all that God has blessed me with.

I get kissed by the sun

Each morning

Put my feet on a hardwood floor

I get to hear my children laughing

Down the hall through theBedroom door

Sometimes I sit on myFront porch swing

Just soaking up the day

I think to myself, I think to myself

This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed

And I feel like I’ve found my way

I thank God for all I’ve been given

At the end of every dayI have been blessed

With so much more than I deserve

To be here with the ones

That love me

To love them so much it hurts

I have been blessed

Planning A Star Wars Birthday Party Part 1

First of all you have to know that I love birthday parties! I always have since I was a little girl. I love setting up tables with fancy decorations and playing birthday games. Growing up I was always making homemade gifts for my friends and family... In high school my group of friends and I always made a big deal over our friends birthdays. We decorated lockers, decorated the cafeteria, and just had fun if a friend was having a birthday. College came and I found myself decorating my apartment for my roomies birthdays, decorating a flower pot to place dirt cake in, and making sure we all went out to celebrate. Then, I taught school after college and birthdays were always a big deal in my classroom. You can read more about that at: http://www.teachingheart.net/Birthdayunit.html
Finally, I had a baby boy and started making his birthdays a big deal on his first one and then his second through his fifth just got better and better... Yet, I learned that I probably could have held off till the 4th or 5th birthday before having the big kid bashes - so my daughter won't be as lucky and she will have to wait till her fourth before I start the parties for her.

I am in the beginning stages of planning my son's 6th birthday. Last year is was a Spiderman themed party and a big hit with him!!! You can see more of the Spidey B-day at:
http://www.teachingheart.net/spiderman.htm

The big downfall of the party is having it at my house. I would much rather have it somewhere else. Last year God was on my side and kept the weather nice so that I would not have to have 20 plus screaming kids & their parents running around my house... This year I am worried about numbers again. It will probably be more than 20 kids if I invite his new Kindergarten class boys plus some of his old friends. I don't want to leave anyone out. Then on top of that you have siblings that you feel you need to invite. I have a problem with guests lists, mine are always too long. So I am still trying to decide what to do about the guest list. I am leaning towards inviting the 15 boys in his class, plus the 15 other friends and doing some heavy praying that it does not rain. I'll let you know what I decide.

One of the first things I do when I start planning the party: look for ideas on line... here are some good sites I have found.

Birthday Party Video
http://calluna.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/star-wars-birthday/

Smart Mama - Check out the decor and the cake!!
http://smartmama.blogspot.com/2008/03/7th-belated-star-wars-birthday-party.html


Check out the Yoda Cake - Directions how to make it included
http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2008/04/14/bake-a-yoda-cake/

Another cake plus Yoda Cupcakes

Star Wars Bubble Sabers

More Links to Look at For Ideas
http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com/star-war-birthday-party.html
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/guestsubmit?action=displayguest&topic_id=22&guest_id=4240&category_id=
http://www.starwars.com/kids/activity/crafts/f20051026/index.html

I hope to post more as I plan and I will put together a page about the party on Teaching Heart in September...

Flocking Idea that is more personal...

Flocking... you may have heard of it with flamingos. If you are looking for something more personal, try taking a picture of the birthday persons head and blowing it up to life size. Stick those in the yard and then everyone will know whose birthday it is. For this particular birthday we printed out the sign, "Guess who is 40?"

Some links on flocking:

Sometimes, an ordinary card just isn’t enough. Sometimes, the occasion calls for more… much more.

This is a commercial site... but you can get many ideas if you look here.

http://www.flamingosbynight.com/index.html

Click for Kids Birthday Display Ideas

Have fun being creative with this...