So, my baby turned 6 last week. I'm not sobbing! I may have shed a tear, but that is perfectly OK, isn't it? *put's box of tissues down, draws a deep, shaky breath*
I love looking at Children's birthday parties on Pinterest, they are all so beautiful. The theming! The bunting! The exquisite decorations and delicious, home made food! I used to attempt all of that when Teenage Daughter was tiny, but now I am too lazy I've realised that my kids do not want structured games, they want to run free and galoot with their friends. They want junk food and sugar, any appreciation they will show for delicious home made gourmet treats will not be proportionate to the effort that went into them. If ya know what I mean.
Anyway, I aim to please, so we went with a casual, low key party in the park. It was the day of the book week parade, so everyone was in fancy dress already. I did buy some cheap bunting, but did not expertly apply it to the railing. I don't think anyone noticed it was there.
First up, I made a tie die cake. I made one a few years ago for The Gentleman and it was a big success.
A tie die cake is essentially a rainbow cake for lazy creative people. I used 3 vanilla packet cake mixes to make one large batch, which I then roughly divided into separate bowls.
I applied food colouring according to the directions on the back of the pack, and then I doubled it because I wanted some really bright colours. Then I just plopped it randomly into 2 lined cake tins, and gave it a little swirl to mix it up. Then I put them in the oven, just like regular cakes!
Do you own this book? I think everyone in Australia either has their own copy, or can get their hands on one real quick. It's the bible of birthday cakes, and has some very useful information on how to make number cakes. I've had this copy for almost 20 years, and I still refer to it.
So while the cakes where cooling, I brushed up on how to make a number 6 cake. Very easy!
Essentially, it is a ring cake and a loaf cake, with a bit cut out of the loaf so the top of the 6 sits properly.
Although it does mean you have a few spare off cuts. Oh, shame! Whatever will become of them?
You can see the tie die effect that the food colouring has.
I went with a plain vanilla butter frosting, and used a bit to cement up the join. I thought it would be good to have white icing to contrast with the brightly coloured cake. A few Freckles, and Bob's your uncle!
Cupcakes for the class! Vanilla cupcakes and vanilla icing with strawberries, yum!
I turned this lot into lolly bags, because a birthday party isn't right without a lolly bag. I made a lot extra, and a good thing too - there where about 17 children expected and I knew some of them would bring siblings, so I made extra to account for that. Then I took an extra 12 bags just in case. Lucky, I only came home with 4 to spare. There where a few more siblings than I had counted for, and a few people came without RSVPing. I was kind of expecting that, and it was a low key casual party so it didn't really matter. I just didn't want any child to leave without a lolly bag!
I put out some cheezels, lolly salad, dips and crackers for the mums, and some bowls of chips. We also had a sausage sizzle which was popular with children and grown ups. I impressed myself for remembering tomato and BBQ sauce, but I forgot a knife for the cake, and had to use a spare spatula! It seriously did not matter. The children had a ball, there was plenty to eat and drink, the mums and a few dads had a great catch up, and no one was lost or injured. There may have been a bit of a mob experience during the cake cutting, which Monkey Boy thought was just great. Mr BC created the following collage, so thank him for the terrible photo of me! At least he didn't capture Monkey Boy gleefully picking his nose during the singing of Happy Birthday. I may have been a tad stressed for a few moments.
There where lots of generous gifts, but the one that has gotten the most laughs is this game of Doggie Doo. The dog eats food made of silly putty, then poops it out with hilarious farting sounds while his tail wiggles. The person with the most poop in his pooper scooper is declared the winner. Disgusting, but the perfect toy for boys of all ages.
I think Monkey Boy had the best birthday ever, and that is what really counts.
xx