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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

EMILY'S 12TH BIRTHDAY PARTY, COOKIES, CAKES, AND CRAFTS!


Although my daughter's birthday was a few weeks ago, we were finally able to celebrate over the weekend.  It was a two-part affair, made up of a sleepover with a few friends one night and family get-together the next night.

For the sleepover, we kept things super simple and unstructured.  I didn't plan a lot of activities, and the girls really enjoyed just hanging out!

Since I was saving her cake for the family party, I made a fun cookie "cake" for her friends with simple sugar cookie dough, the alphabet cookie cutters that we used to use for play-doh, and icing.  


Once the icing hardened over night, I was able to stack the cookies on a tray for a cute presentation.


Just for fun, I picked up some water shooters at Dollar Tree, and they had a blast filling them from buckets in the back yard and squirting each other.  I also got some glow necklaces and bracelets that made a late-night movie a bit more festive.


The next morning, I did plan a little craft activity for the girls to work on.  I bought some frames (also at Dollar Tree), pulled out a variety of craft supplies that I had on hand, 


and let them have free reign decorating them.  


The night before I had taken their picture all together and had it printed at the 1-hour photo shop, so when they finished their decorating, we popped the photo in and they had a sweet favor to take home.


I always make my kids' cakes, and while they are nowhere near perfect, we always have fun coming up with different designs, usually centered around their interests at the time of their birthday (previous girl's cakes here and here, and boy's cakes here and here).  This year my daughter turned 12, and we didn't come up with a themed cake, but ended up decorating with her favorite colors.


I stumbled across color coated Sixlets in the cake decorating section at Wal-mart and thought they would be a cute accent.  I used this recipe for the frosting this time, and it was delicious!  The cake itself is a 4 layer made in 8" pans, and they always want the box funfetti mix... easy enough!  For an easy topper, I used some scrap paper, letter stickers, and wooden skewers.


Everyone ate everything up, and both parties were a fun success!  I hope this gave you a few practical party ideas that won't break the bank...  


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Would you like to comment?

  1. Julia @cuckoo4designMay 20, 2015 at 6:20 AM

    Absolutely love the idea that they got to take the photo home with them already in decorated frames. I think I will do that for my daughter's sleepover party next time.

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  2. Such cute party ideas and such a cute girl! Hard to believe she's 12! :)

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  3. Pam @ Simple DetailsMay 20, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    You're the best at coming up with fun ideas to make your kiddos feel special on their birthdays - such great ideas!

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  4. I think this is the best kind of party, Jennifer. Simple, creative, fun and special. People tend to go overboard these days, but the best memories combine time spent with friends and family and from-the-heart celebrations. Your daughter looks a lot like you 😀

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  5. What a super fun party for Emily!!!! I LOVE the cookie idea, I will steal that for my Sophia when she turns one! lol! Love the cake too, but most importantly the birthday girl and her friends all had a great and memorable time!

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  6. Aww, how sweet, they looked like they had such a fun time! Great idea with the picture frames and picture!


    I saw your newly reupholstered settee in the corner... You'll have to share more pictures ;)

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  7. Thank you! And, don't remind me that we're that close to having a girl teen! ;)

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  8. Thanks Julia, they really had fun with that project. It was so fun to see how differently they all decorated their frames.

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  9. I know, aren't they still supposed to be babies?

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  10. I agree! I'm glad the girls didn't need to be "entertained" and just had fun together. Thanks Julie.

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  11. Thanks Vel! That cookie stack is such a fun thing to do. I've taken them to share with her class before on a previous birthday, and it's fun to give to her friends made of their name on their birthday, too.

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  12. Good job with the I spy! ;) They will be coming in the next few weeks.

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  13. so so cute! I love those cookies too, they look so professional!

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  14. such a fun party! i love the cookies, and LOVE the craft! what a fun and special idea!

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  15. Such fun ideas for a party. The girls look like they are having so much fun, friendships forever. I adore the picture of the two of you. So pretty.

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  16. Okay you are super mom and this party is adorable! I love the stacked E-M-I-L-Y cookies! Such a great idea!! I hope Emily had a happy birthday!

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  17. Betsy Jordan BakerMay 21, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    How I would have loved to be Emily's friend at that party. :)

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  18. Camilla Loosli HydeMay 22, 2015 at 11:25 PM

    Jennifer, Love your style! Where do you get all of the Bust Statues you have in your home?

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  19. how cute! I just love this idea!

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