MoMmY BUG: 8 Fiesta Lessons

Justn's birthday was Tuesday, but we celebrated it last Saturday complete with pinata, presents, pizza, ice cream and cake. He wanted a star wars cake with chocolate chips and cupcakes. One thing we definately try as hard as we can to make possible is the cake of choice. Sometimes it's a challenge, and it always ends up to be fun. This one wasn't looking promising and I had to just do things as they came. One step at a time. I had thought to do the cake the day before, but worried that it would effect the taste of the cake, not being freshly baked, and not considering puting it in our tupperware cake container for preservation, this is what we ended up with. So although I have thrown many a birthday bash, I never seem to learn to plan ahead as well as I should. This was the cake result...

I lucked out that the cupcakes around the cake make it look grand. They are actually hiding what could have been tramatic flaws. When I got the second cake out of the oven (there being two in order to make cupcakes as well) I had to frost it without it cooling completely.

lesson #1: Frosting a hot cake doesn't work out too well. Cause, as you know, the frosting gets soft and the upper layer then starts sliding off. On the bright side, making two different flavors of cake (Chocolate fudge and Funfetti) makes for one of the "best tasting cakes EVER"--who knew?!

Lesson #2: Streamers can be put up the night before. This is a much better idea than 30 min. before the party starts, when you are doing your very best to keep your voice at an even tone and avoid fumbling and shaky fingers knowing you are cutting it close. Still having a cake to frost, party boxes to decorate, a pinata to fill and hang, and a table to decorate.

Lesson #3: Always have a "run around man". For the above reasons of faulty planning, it is a good idea to have someone else be able to do the last minute "pick ups".

I'm very Grateful to Steve who was my right hand man as he did much running around... such as: buying frosting, picking up the balloons, picking up the pizzas, and getting extra candy for the pinata (which saved my life since he picked a package of miniture chocolate bars. Some of which ended up being the decoration for the cupcakes) He didn't even complain about my poor planning, allowing me to learn these lessons on my own. (A reason he continues to be my night in shining armor!)

Lesson #4: Pinata and treat boxes can be filled the night before as well, by somebody else, eliminating much stress and anxiety!

This is where I was very grateful for the enthusiasm and excitement of the older children desiring to help get the party ready. Jeremy and Michael decorated and stuffed treat boxes and set the table. *Whew!

Lesson #5: Balloons are a must since they add such a really festive look to any party! (one thing I did do right) *pluh

Lesson #6: If going to an already festive place, the above efforts aren't necessary. Let the proffessionals do the work. Then the above lessons aren't even lessons necessary for learning...or are they?!