Pigtails!!!

Improvise

Well, I think the heat of the day made my kitchen too warm. I was able to make a few more sunflowers before the frosting started to melt again and then I had to improvise. I decided to frost the rest with the green base frosting and then add some nonpareils to the sides and some ladybugs on top to go with the sunflower theme. I think they turned out ok. At least I know that I can make the sunflowers, but not on a day that is close to 100 degrees outside.
I am actually very proud of myself for the few cupcakes that did turn out well. I was worried for a while that I would not be able to pick up the technique, but I figured it out by myself and that made me very happy. Jason and I are looking into cake decorating classes for me to take. I think that would be so much fun for me to do and maybe I could go into business for myself one day doing parties. Who knows?
Anyway, I thought I would share the results of my efforts even though we may not be bringing them to the party after all. Maddie is now taking a nap and the party is over half an hour away and it has started already. O well. At least we will see everyone on Sunday. There were so many desserts already on the list that I do not think the cupcakes will be missed.

Sunflower Cupcakes

Tonight we have a FLOCK get together so I decided I would use the left over box of cake mix I had from Maddie's party to make cupcakes. I saw the design for sunflower cupcakes in my "Hello Cupcake!" book and decided to try it. I had a few mess-ups while trying to figure out how to pipe the petals, but I soon caught on and was able to do about 7 cupcakes that look really nice. All of the sudden though, the frosting started to melt (Mistake number 1: putting the frosting in the fridge) and now I can't seem to do anything with it. Now I do not know what I will do. I am going to try bringing the frosting back to room temp and I hope it will set up a little more so I can finish. Otherwise, seven people will get sunflowers and everyone else will have a regular frosted cupcake (what is the fun in that?).

Walking With Her Stroller

12 Month Doctor Appt

Maddie weighs 17 lbs 4 oz and is 27 1/4" tall. The doctor was very pleased with everything she can do now. We have to keep her on formula for the next 6 weeks, but after that it sounded like we can put her on milk! I guess her weight is not that much of an issue. One new thing I learned today is that my pediatrician wants her to remain in a backward facing car seat until she is 2 and 30 pounds. I am glad we bought the convertible car seat! I guess that is the new age and weight that is being recommended now. The visit ended with shots which were not very fun. She goes back at 15 months. Now, we are at home and Maddie is taking a nap.

Visit with Grandma and Fun with Treyden

This past week my mom was able to fly out to visit. It was great to have her here for Maddie's birthday. Maddie had so much fun with her grandma. It was so sweet to watch. Later in the week, I babysat our neighbor's baby, Treyden. Treyden and Maddie are exaclty one month apart. You would never know it though. He is huge! Maddie loves playing with him. Poor Treyden was a little under the weather (actually, so was Maddie), but they still had lots of fun. :)

Maddie First Birthday Party

All of the kids playing in Maddie's room.

Yum! Frosting!

She dove into her cup cake. It was so cute!

The table all set.

The butterfly cup cakes. They turned out so well. I was so nervous putting them together, but none of them broke!

Maddie's first birthday party went so well. We moved all of the toys into her room which ended up becoming the most crowded room in the house. All of the kids had such a good time playing together. Maddie loves playing with other kids. When it was time for her presents she paid more attention to them then I thought she would. Jason captured all of it on video which is why no pictures are posted. Maddie loved hearing everyone sing "Happy Birthday" and when her cupcake was placed in front of her she took her palm and smashed right into it! It was so cute. She loved it! All in all, I think her party was a huge success! :)

To all my family and friends in CA, we missed you and wished you could have joined in the fun!