Me Want Cookie

A Cookie Monster Celebration

As we know, I love to throw a good kids' party. Margo is obsessed with cookie monster and she loves her music class, so together we had a fabulous cookie monster themed second birthday party, complete with the terrifically talented Miss Marcia as entertainment. 

We LOVE Miss Marcia!

 I cannot stress enough her wonderful demeanor and talent with the under 8 year old sect.

Dare I say, she is the toddler whisperer? 

In the nearly six years I have known her as a Kids Music Round instructor, I have NEVER seen her have an off day. 

If you're in Southern New Jersey check her out.

www.singmarcia.com

Marcia provided the entertainment but the rest of the party revolved around COOKIES! 

I didn't want to go full heavy on the Cookie Monster theme at first, but damn you pinterest! There are so many cute ideas out there, I couldn't help it. 

Decorations

In keeping with the traditional cookie monster palette, I used a royal blue and white color scheme. Streamers in white and blue were suspended in the dining room, while miscellanous photos and cookie monster quotes found their way throughout the house. Using cookie clip art , I printed out the image on white tag board to create the happy birthday banner. 

Moira helped with the decorations too, as she created an illustration of cookie monster to add to the ambiance. 

In addition, I created a cardboard cut out letter M. Using cookie crisp cereal I hot glued the cookies. Thus creating a quite adorable and potentially edible personalized mantle decoration. I also use various pieces of scrapbook paper and printed out the letters via Microsoft word, to create another Margo banner for the living room. 

Favors

Using blue lunchbags I purchased off Amazon and black & white construction paper, I created cookie monster goodie bags. 

Inside, for the little ones, they received a Cookie Monster book I found this fall from the dollar spot at Target and a cookie monster pouch from Earth's Best Organics. For the older guests, I purchased ring pops and packs of Chip's Ahoy chocolate chip cookies. 

 The Food

We provided a delicious lunch of mac & cheese and chili for our guests lunch. But as is the star of most birthday parties, dessert was the star of the show.

Cookie dough dip was divine! Paired with Nilla wafers, OMG!

Check out the recipe from Love & a Prayer here

The star of the dessert wasn't a cookie at all, but rather, a cake, a 

Cookie Monster Cake!

 

Using a round cake pan, some buttercream icing, and blue food dye, I was able to create this little Cookie Monster Smash cake. I had fun with the piping bag. I also used the white frosting center from oreos to create eyes and brown mini m&ms for the pupils. 

Margo enojoyed it! 

I cannot believe my baby is two! Where did the time go? 

I will say, it has been quite the trip and I feel so very lucky to be the mom to three wonderful little ladies. 

Turning Two is So Sweet!

Check out my Cookie Monster pinterest board here!

A Great Day to Be BRAVE!

When Maeve suggested a Brave theme for her fourth birthday party, I eagerly began searching for things related to Merida and her fabulous family. Unfortunately, while Merida is still a very popular princess in my home, her popularity seems to have decreased, as the amount of Brave related accessories and gifts have dwindled.

Thankfully, between some searching on Pinterest and Amazon, I was able to gather enough materials to make this a great day to be Brave. 

Find my Pinterest party planning board here.

Guests followed the blue wisps down our front path, to our door where the festivities were underway.

Decorations

As I mentioned, the amount of Brave related party products are limited, thus I found myself making a lot of my own.

I made the Brave sign using the Little Golden Book as inspiration. 

I found these quotes, printed them out and mounted them on scrapbook paper. They helped to add some decoration to the dining room where the majority of our celebration was held. 

Using a template I created a personalized birthday banner using shades of purple and teal.

I also found a photo of the tapestry and had that on display as well. 

Moira added her own decorations of the Queen, the triplets, the King, & Merida which we displayed for everything. 

Activities 

Coloring

We began by coloring photos of Merida as we waited for our guests to get together. 

Necklaces from the Crafty Corner

We each had our turn at the Crafty Carver and each made a colorful necklace. 

Pin the Arrow on the Target

Because it was winter and we were stuck inside the house, I refrained from using actual bow and arrows. Instead, I created a target and made arrows in different colored papers. A different take on pin the tail on the donkey. 

Teach Queen Merida to Fish

The next game was created by my girls. 

They really enjoy the scene in Brave where Merida teaches Queen Elinor the bear, how to fish in the river. From this inspiration, I made a toss it board, using a photo from the Brave  golden book to make Queen Elinor the bear. There were three holes punched out and then we used rainbow goldfish crackers. Each child took turns tossing the fish into holes. The children loved throwing food, and a few fish did make their way into some mouths. 

Follow the Wisps Scavenger Hunt

Since we were stuck in the house, I decided to plan a final event that was fun and gave our guests a chance to run around. I made clues instructing the kids to run from room to room, and each was tied with blue tulle. The final clue had the children run to the playroom where their favor bags were hidden. 

Birthday Cake 

I used a tutorial from here  for inspiration. I made my own butter cream, and kept one without icing for the birthday girl. It worked perfectly to hold the number 4 candle. It was huge hit amongst the parents and kids alike. However, I now have set the bar for the next birthday confectionery treat. 

All in all, this celebration was a labor of love. 

We had a fabulous time and my Maevie had the celebration of her dreams. 

Happy Birthday to my Brave little girl! 

Blessed

Our sweet Margo Baby was baptized Sunday, April 28 surrounded by our family and closest friends. Our dear friend, Lynsay serves as Margo's godmother, while my baby brother, Joey is smitten and happy in his new role as godfather. 

While we were unable to use the same beach chapel we had used for our wedding and previous baptisms, we were honored to have the baptism officiated by Brother Bob. 

I do believe there was some degree of divine intervention in this event. 

Let me submit the following evidence:

1. Not only did I find a dress in my closet that fit my post baby body, I also discovered a pair of fabulous red heels that worked beautifully. 

Winning!

2. During the ceremony there were nine children present. Throughout the nearly thirty minute event, there was barely a peep, even from our youngest guest, Zoe who is 10 days younger than Margo.

They made the faces AFTER the event. 

3. Margo was happy the entire event.

Okay, not the entire event, but the entire ceremony, even as the water was poured on her head. 

She even calmed down enough to get a photo with her sisters. A photo in which they all were looking at the camera at the same time!  

frame worthy

4. Finally, my sister was able to keep the baby in...

for only three days later, we met our newest member of the family, 22 days early.

Tiny, but feisty!

Welcome to the world Danny!

What a week! 

Photos courtesy of Ashley Pierce Photography.