Birthdays...

yep, that's right; we are in our birthday season! It goes a little something like this....

Tim- June 5
Emily-July 7
Elizabeth- July 23
Jillian- August 9

I love a party, BUT throwing three little girl's parties in a row, can break us in more ways than $$. Years ago, we gave the girls choices: Party or Go somewhere as a family.

Most of the times it was travel. When there was a party it was usually combined because of how close they are and same likes, interest, people etc. Remember last year??

This year, the girls decided they wanted a party of their own.

BUT, go figure, they all want the same theme- A Cup Cake Theme- and they all want to design and decorate their own cupcakes.

Tim and I agreed, though it was tempting to just say "since you all want the same thing, how about COMBINING the party!".

Well, one down and two to go. This little mama is going to have to get creative on the same/different party theme. We'll see how it goes...


Thanks to my mom for starting a tradition on Emily's bday three years ago when Emily spent the eve at her house, to grace her with the presence of breakfast in bed.... If you remember last year......



The tradition continued; except this time with a little sister that was so excited about her sister's bday that she awoke the house at 5:48 am to start preparing her meal.



Her list given to me the day before......

I had been under the weather for about three weeks and still am not 100%, so my sweet Emily was gracious in the fact I forgot to buy the mini tea biscuits she loves; and since I was not up for baking that morning,  she took a substitute. And without my sous-chefs, I wouldn't have made it....

After breakfast, unfortunately I took a two hour visit to the doctor's office. With three different doctors over three different weeks suggesting I go get checked out for Asthma, I will now make that journey.....


When I returned we got ready to PAR-TAY!


This year, we just had a few friends, just a small little crowd of girls, no grandparents, aunts and uncles, just a few friends.

then we waited......

then I cranked up the party music and decided dancing while waiting is SO much more fun.......

 while the girls danced, I finished the last details......

**icing recipe below**

and set up the "create your own" pizza bar....

It was a fun time had by all with sweet friends, celebrating our sweet Emily's life!





Homemade Pizzas-


I do have a fabulous dough recipe from my SIL- will post a different time since I do not have it here at the shop with me. But in the meantime, I opted for EASIER that day and purchased 4 refrigerated pizza dough for $2.59 each in the bakery section of Publix.


I am a fresh mozzarella kind of girl. And my girls prefer homemade pizza sauce over store bought. So here are some of our favorite toppings....

I am a pesto or just plain olive oil kind of girl as well....but my kiddos prefer the sauce. Here's what I do......

In a small pot bring to a simmer one large can of Crushed tomatoes. Crush and mince 2-3 cloves of garlic. Add to tomatoes. Grind about 1 tsp of sea salt, add 1 Tbsp of sugar and stir. Simmer about 5 mins or so. Chop 4-5 basil leaves, add to sauce, stir and simmer about 5 more minutes. Sauce will make a good 5-6 pizzas. I store in a mason jar in the fridge for no more than a week.

We love leeks. Spring onions are great as well, but leeks give a more sweet taste and beautiful aroma when cooking.

and let's not forget Kalamata Olives :)

I lightly grease baking sheet with olive oil and bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 mins.

Fun meal for the kiddos to help with! Enjoy! 






Cupcakes were boxed, butter cream. But I make the icing;


Icing- 
1 package of cream cheese soften
1 stick of salted butter soften
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 bag of powered sugar




In my Kitchen Aid mixer, I blend/mix first two ingredients. when blended add vanilla then slowly add sugar until creamy. Refrigerate; but let become room tempt for spreading.