Saturday, December 12, 2009

A Post About a Tired Birthday Party by a Crazy Mama

I mean...A Post About a Crazy Birthday Party by a Tired Mama.

A few months ago, I was watching Extreme Sweets on Food Network. In it, the host visited a candy store where you can make your own chocolate bars. The chocolate is tempered and poured into the candy bar mold, and the customer can then decorate the candy bar with candy pieces. This was the inspiration for a candy-themed birthday party for my 10-year-old.

I'm sure I won't be receiving any thank you cards from any of the moms after they see the bags of candy the girls brought home, but I had fun putting it together anyway.

First, there was the cake, the plans for which changed course many times over the weeks.

When the party began, we played human Candy Land. Even though Michael spent the night elsewhere, he had a brilliant idea that brought the game up a notch. The kids all helped me place lollipops and Smarties on random squares. Alex made baggies for each girl, and they were able to collect candy as they walked along the Candy Land trail. (When I thanked Michael for the great idea, he said, "Well, it's called Candy Land, isn't it?")

Next we made our own chocolate bars. I purchased rather large candy bar molds. After the melted chocolate was poured in, the girls created their own masterpieces. A couple of them actually did create candy pictures; however, for the most part, it became a contest to see who could get the most candy to stick in the chocolate. The next morning, I popped the mammoth chocolate slabs out of the molds, wrapped them in foil, and had the girls design their own candy bar labels which were then taped on.





We also played a little guessing game. Whoever came the closest to guessing 709 got the M&Ms and the pretty glass they filled.


Candy BINGO was next. First place took a large M&M prize. We played down to last place, and each girl got to select a big candy bar. I'm pretty sure none of the moms will ever want to send their girls to one of our parties again.

By this time--and after having pizza somewhere in between lollipops and big candy bars--the girls, believe it or not, turned down cake. So Alex opened her gifts.



After the gifts, they were game for cake.



Then it was movie time. Although Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would have been more apropos for the theme, Alex has seen it a million times and instead selected the second Night at the Museum movie.

After the movie, I tucked them all in, and they went to sleep.


Right. Not really. I finally tuned out the noise around 12:30 and fell asleep. They were on their own. I don't know when/if they went to sleep!

15 comments:

Bunch of Barrons said...

Please tell me you didn't make that cake yourself. :) Cuz I will feel very lame. haha! :) What a fun party!

Kathleen said...

I did, although my husband had to roll out the fondant for me. That is tough stuff, and they make it look so easy to work with on Food Network!

tsinclair said...

The cake is so pretty. I had thought about doing something like that, but did not have the nerve to try it. :-)

Looks like a great party, and the good thing is that all of the kids will probably go to sleep early tonight.

Happy Birthday Alex!!

CrossView said...

I was going to ask if you made the cake but I see that you did. Girl, you have some mad cake-making skiils! I'm awed. Later I'll be jealous! ;o)

Looks like an awesome time for the kids! And parents may hate you - but only because nothing will ever top that party theme!

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Samantha said...

What a great job you did on the cake! I've never made a cake with fondant. The party sounds really fun! What a lucky daughter!

Samantha

Unknown said...

did you consider just giving them each a plastic sword or stick and let them sword fight all night? Or an air-soft gun so they could shoot holes in your drywall? seems that would have been much less work.

Unknown said...

What wonderful memories were made! I love that cake!

Jean said...

wonderful cake with wonderful smiles

A smile from SJ =)

dclouser said...

That's an amazing cake! What a fun and memorable party for Alex. Way to go!

Unknown said...

Great cake!

Linda said...

I made the polka dot fondant cake once, but only one layer. Yours looks much better! I didn't get my dots thin enough; your looks pro!

The other ideas are great. You are Super Mom! such energy.....

Kathy Campbell said...

That looks amazing. Looks like everyone had a blast too! What a great idea!

audrey said...

LOVE that cake!

Caseybumpinalong said...

What a fun party! I love the candy ideas!!!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THAT CAKE It tasted good to!!!