Xavier's Eighth Birthday

Before Xavier went to sleep I took his picture because it would be the last time I saw him as 7 years old. I'm sentimental that way...................................................................................................

Then while Xavier was at school I baked a chocolate cake and blew up 4 punching balls that look like big balloons I hung some crepe paper and wrapped a few small gifts to surprise him.

Tom frosted the cake and put a little plastic Mario, a number 8 candle and way too many sparklers! If I did this myself I would have only put 8 sparklers..........but it was very exciting to see all those tall sparklers shooting sparks at once. I couldn't get it on camera. Speaking of not getting a picture. I didn't even think to take a picture of his classroom treats this year. They were so pretty too. Ice Cream Cone Cup Cakes. I used wafer cones with flat bottoms. Inside each cone I put 8 M&M candies then I peeled the paper off of a store bought mini cup cake and placed it right inside the cone. It was just the right size and the way the store swirled the white frosting it looked like ice cream. They even had colored sprinkles on top. What kind of a blogger doesn't get a pictures of that? Oh well.....I live for the moment. Oh and when you make these be sure to find a pretty box to send them off in. (presentation!) Size is important these fall over unless they are packed tight. I lined the bottom with a sheet of waxed paper and covered the treats loosely with another sheet of waxed paper. Xavier told me that all of the kids loved them except Olivia complained the cone was stale......... but he told me she still ate it just the same. I imagine the cones sat in that box all day and the frosting probably was softening the cones where it touched. I will keep that in mind next time I make these and brainstorm a way to keep the cones crunchy. I know what Olivia means. There must be a way to keep that cone crunchy. No more birthdays in our house for a good while.

Happy Birthday Emma

Emma is 19 now.

7

Xavier said it was "the best birthday he ever had!"
* * * * * * *

Happy Birthday Emma

Remember I would sing to you?

Just as my Mother sang to me.

Where are you going my little one, little one?
Where are you going my baby my own?

Turn around and you're 2.

Turn around and you're 4.

Turn around and you're a young girl
going out of the door.

******************



God Bless you Emma,

and God Bless your path in life.
I Love You.

Tom is 21

Tom loves little stuffed mushroom caps, crunchy chicken wings, marbled fudge cake (if there's no carrot cake available) and a girl named Theresa. Look at how he dreams up a good wish. I hope it comes true Love. Happy Birthday. It was yesterday but the glow still lingers.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step

"Archie"
Confucius say: "A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step" ....
and so did my Dad always find an opportunity to tell me this.

The last post was in memory of my Mother so I feel it only fitting to give my Father's memory a place on my blog as well.

I miss them both everyday of my life.

Happy Birthday Dad.

A Day to Remember

When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.- Mark Twain

Xavier just turned 6 years old.

Instead of making the usual cupcakes for the class, I thought up another treat. I bought a box of giant POCKY sticks and tied a bright colored party blower to each one with a length of blue rafia. Then I tucked them all into a Spiderman gift bag and Xavier brought them to school. It was also his classmate Clarissa's birthday and the children did have cupcakes after all.

The theme of Xavier's birthday cake is my original idea but yet simple...another year older. A toy bulldozer pushing 5 birthday candles out of the way to make room for the Big Number 6. It's chocolate cake with chocolate frosting just as he hoped for but with pink vanilla frosting between the 2 layers for a little extra surprise. The cake is sprinkled with tiny bright colored confetti candy.

We have a tradition in our house that the birthday person may have the birthday meal of their choice. This doesn't usually get out of hand except for the one year Emma requested a cornish hen for each of us. I honored the request but the entire meal was very expensive and consequently her presents were limited that year. Since then she's been more frugal with her requests. Xavier had his favorite, spaghetti.

He got lots of presents and enjoyed his birthday. I hope it will be one for him to remember, although I must admit I have a hard time remembering many of my own past birthdays.

Well she was just 17,

and you know what I mean.

Hmmm, come to think of it, many of you may NOT know what I mean.

I was singing a Beatle's tune.

My little Emma has turned 17!

This is a picture of her making her big birthday wish.

Whatever it was she wished for I hope it comes true.

If you had but one wish --- THINK --- what would you wish for?

Don't tell me.

Just make a wish right now and blow out all these pages.

xox Elaine