Birthday Cupcake Fun!

Finally able to get a card reader that worked so that I can share my birthday planning hard work. I had so much fun making the cupcakes for the birthday party that I'm going to make   it a family tradition.



Jungle Animal Cupcakes



I used the Betty Crocker Jungle Animal Cupcake Recipe. The hardest part was keeping my hand steady to draw the lines for the zebra (not my favorite animal right now). :) Anyway, it took me about 5 hours to bake and decorate 48 cupcakes. I had to modify the decorations used so my 1 year could eat the cupcakes.

Lion

• Cheerios (oat cluster crunch)
• chocolate baking bits
• pretzel sticks

Tiger 

• orange m&m's
• chocolate baking bits
• pretzel sticks

Monkey

• mini marshmallows
• chocolate baking bits
• black milk chocolate candies

Zebra  

• mini vanilla wafers
• chocolate baking bits
• black jelly beans, cut in half vertically

Of course since our Yus is a Leo the lion was the main attraction. I made a mini cake lion just for him. It was tons of fun! 

Yus' Lion


nkoyo

Weekend Grove Music

This weekend will be filled with the happy birthday song! Happy Birthday Yusuf mommy & daddy love you much! 

And you know we have to sing it the Stevie way too! 

 Have a safe and blessed weekend! 

nkoyo

3 + 3 = 6

A little background: 

James and I have been married for three years and together for four. Yes, that's right! We met July 2007 (a few months after I graduated college) and three months later we were engaged and Married on July 5, 2008. When you know, you just know. I thank God ever day for blessing me with a PARTNER, a FRIEND, a LOVER, and in his own right a COMEDIAN! 

So, on today I want to wish my MAN a HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY! I believe I have already given you the best gift of our son with God's favor. :) So, have a great day love. My 'Weekend Grove Music' comes a bit early this week with yet another Jill Scott song feat. Anthony Hamilton ~ "So In Love".

 

And yes, we share the same birth number and our son was born on the 6th (June 3 + Aug. 3 = Aug. 6). Remember to speak loving words of support and motivation to your partner and children ~ James 3:3-6

nkoyo

Birthday Planning - Final Stretch

We are officially just ONE weekend away from Yus' birthday party and I'm starting to get really, really, really excited. I got a great idea for a fun activity from a co-worker. I've been really leery about hiring a clown, a masked man, or even having my husband read a story. I just think kids under the age of 3 are going to be a bit freaked-out by a clown or a masked man and may become restless with story telling. My co-worker suggested some type of arts-and-craft. In that moment a light bulb went off. Why didn't I think of that! The craft can also double as the party-gift. GENIUS! 
So, the craft will be sponge/finger painting on a canvas. First, thoughts are this is messy right! Well, I will also be providing a smock and the party is at the Park so clean up is a breeze. Wipe anyone? I think I have it all figure out and hopefully my little sister will step in and help. She's seven so this is right up her ally. 

Jungle Canvas Creations: 
~ let the kids create their own jungle canvas (pictures to come)

1. all white 8'x10' canvas'
2. paint (in party colors)
3. jungle animal sponges 
4. jungle animal stickers 
5. smock/large t-shirts 
6. large sheet (to cover table or lawn area)

UPDATE: Things to Do before the Big Day

10) cake mix for jungle cupcakes

9) jungle cupcake decorations

8) jungle decorations

7) find safari entertainment - i.e. put together a skit for daddy to do w/ stuffed jungle animals

6) decided on the menu w/ FiL

5) send out the invites

4) final guest list (may have to call some folks)

3) birthday boy outfit

2) favors

1) dinner spot for the hubs' celebration

Almost there...

nkoyo

Cheap School Invites

So, the BIG DAY is just two weeks away and I realized Monday I needed to send invitations to Yus' school friends and teachers. Since, I'm on a budget these days. I decided to create the invitations on paint and print them out. I found this blank template that divided the page in fours and a cute baby lion to show the jungle animal theme.  

1: copy paste the blank template into paint

2: add party details

3: add cute/party theme photo

4: save/print desired number

5: remember to bring to school the next ~ ask the teacher to attach to 'what I did/ate' note for parents

easy & fun school invitation

nkoyo

Birthday Planning in 4th Gear

A year ago I thought it would be wonderful for our son to be born on James' birthday. Now, I'm wishing they were born in separate months LOL. :) With just two days between their specials days I don't want the hubs' BIG 3-0 to be understated because our little man is turning the BIG 1. I feel the wallet getting smaller and smaller and I see the dollar signs.

Things to Do before the Big Days

10) cake mix for jungle cupcakes

9) jungle cupcake decorations

8) jungle accessories/decorations

7) find safari entertainment - i.e. put together a skit for daddy to do w/ stuffed jungle animals

6) decided on the menu w/ FiL

5) send out the invites

4) final guest list

3) birthday boy outfit

2) favors

1) dinner spot for the hubs' celebration

OMGosh! The first week of August is going to require a lot of planning for-ever. Not mention all their major milestones are together... 35 and 5 years old, 40 and 10 years old and then mid-life crisis and puberty oh! the joys ahead of me. ... And this is why a clearly live in the moment and I'm learning to master the art of selective hearing. hahahaha  

nkoyo