The Mighty First
The 1st birthday of baby no.1 is very significant.
Not necessarily because it is the parents’ first opportunity to show off their superior party hosting skills (some celebrities spring to mind here!) but because of what they stand for.
1 year of massive change … the magical growth of a small, crying, milk drinking, sleeping, twitchy little person into a smiling, moving, possibly talking, personality filled person.
More than that though that first year with number one is such a huge transition to make – suddenly you are parents. There are sleeps and feeding and spending all your thoughts and money (if you have any left after fitting out the nursery!) on this person other than yourself.
A whole new understanding of selfishness is beaten mercilessly over the head at 3am and 5.30am and many other hours and nappy changes moments over those 365 days.
Your relationship is stretched and challenged and strengthened.
You worry about crazy things that will probably never happen but just the thought of them is enough to almost suffocate you.
You become a whole other person you never imagined you had in you. No, I don’t agree that when you become a parent you leave your brain at the door and pick up mushy talk and conversations that only revolve around what was in the last nappy (although this may happen occasionally!) But parenting brings out some new skills in you – skills you wish you had more of at various times of the day and night – but skills you do have and have never needed the same way – patience, gentleness, kindness, self-control (ever walk into the side of a table while holding a sleeping baby?)…..
On Saturday we celebrated the 1st birthday of our gorgeous little god-daughter and I was reminded of what a massive, rewarding and tough year it is for the ‘new’ family. Her parents have done an amazing job, and she is, and will continue to be, a gift to all who come in contact with her.
These photos are from the day. The cake I made inspired by a picture on pinterest. And the little dress and rompers I made.
Another dress up party ‘Children’s Character’ we went as Barbie, Teddy, Penguin and Action Man. Some decisions weren’t finalised until we left the house!
If you are a parent what was the most surprising, challenging, wonderful moment in that first year?
DIY Cupcake Loving
Have you entered my giveaway yet?
This year I am trying each month to make a secret cake for a family with my boys and deliver it.
We’d been meaning to do one for some near-neighbours who are moving. It didn’t happen.
So while I hosted their girls during shifting day we approached it another way.
I made cupcakes and the kids decorated them.
They all ate one (hey I’m not expecting them to be that altruistic) and then the girls took the rest home.
Fun activity and Random Cake of Kindness – done!
Haere Ra
Which means goodbye….. One of those ‘awesome for you fellas, not so awesome for us‘.
Last night we said good-bye to Aunty Nommy (my sis) and Uncle Alex who are off on a grand adventure to Holland.
I am very blessed in that I get to be in a family where my siblings are also very close friends.
So we made them a ‘kiwi cake’. It wasn’t until I travelled that I discovered how attached us kiwis seem to be to confectionery, especially chocolate with marshmallows.
As a non-pav eater I liked this as a kiwi send off.
When they arrived for dinner they played the boys a song uncle Alex had composed and recorded using their voices and Flip on the harmonica. Having a composer for an uncle is SO cool!!! Maximum street cred here.
I love that they are off on an adventure together… I love that skype means we’ll still get to see each other…. I love that I am ‘babysitting’ some jewellery, art, furniture and kitchen stuff….. I love that you only feel sad about goodbyes when you really love the people leaving.
N and A may you find in your adventures a welcoming horizon and a vista that surprises and delights you at every turn.
We love you. very. much. x
Guitar Cake
I have been cooking up some cakes – 3 to be exact – 3 cakes to make 1 large cake.
We have a friend’s birthday and I am on making the cake. I got this idea from the ‘original’ women’s weekly cake book (a classic from my childhood!).
Unfortunately I also used their butter cake recipe which only rises about 2cm – so it’s a bit pathetic looking – ah well, I guess perfection is not attained by many. I must remember just to use a cake recipe I actually like next time.
The birthday boy is a multi-talented and lovely person so I had rather a range of things to choose from but The Atlas and I settled on the guitar being the best choice. The hardest part was finding a flat old-fashioned licorice strap to make the frets.
Happy Birthday Stefan.
Today I am also remembering my Mother-In-Law whose birthday is today. We were always remembering at the last-minute and never getting her present to her on time. This was my year to get it right and I missed my opportunity because we said a permanent goodbye in January. Thinking of you today Cathy – as I often do and remembering you and the special part you played in making The Atlas the man I love.
Crazy Cake of the Month
Here’s our June cake.
Marble cake – my first one ever! Cheers to the kiwi classic Edmonds cookbook for this one.
I’m not sure this is what they had in mind for the final look.
The good thing about making cakes with children is you can always blame the final look on your assistants!
It wasn’t a very ‘secret delivery’ but the streets in Christchurch aren’t very conducive for a whip across town so I took the lazy way out this time. Definitely a deserving family though – always doing lovely stuff for us and others – needing some calorie love at present.
In My Kitchen
There have been some occasions lately
Naturally these things call for baking – yes?
Here are some of the things emerging from the kitchen.
I’ve also tried some new recipes. My first time cooking with polenta too.
Done some old favourites – Pad Thai for dinner? Sure way to The Atlas’ heart.
Everyone should have a cake on their birthday I think don’t you Maddie and Alex? Or maybe 2 perhaps Alex??
I love my kitchen. It’s probably the room of the house that is most complete in terms of decorating and accessorizing. Although I do have a new lampshade in mind and there’s a wall we are planning to remove…but for now I love it and I especially love that it is the nourishment centre of our home.
What’s new in your kitchen? What’s your favourite room in your home?
Penguin Party
In our house 5 is the first ‘party, party’ birthday where friends can come.
Flip chose a Penguin Party because he loves penguins.
For ease of making I went with a cake of penguin cupcakes.
The food was a DIY affair with Arctic waters (blue and green jelly) surrounding an Iceberg (vanilla ice-cream) topped with penguins (from the penguin waffle maker). Then the penguin party-goers could decorate it with other toppings.
We played blu-tac the beak on the penguin.
Penguin waddle.
Penguin fishing – The Atlas invented this one – the ‘penguin’ has 10 secs to catch as many fish as possible from the icy ‘sea’.
Fishing.
and penguin chalk drawings and face painting.
Oh and some pass the parcel because really what is a party without pass the parcel?
For prizes we had chocolate fish.
I think I get 10 points for no fuss, low-cost party..Don’t you think?
First time working with fondant icing too. Couldn’t have done it without 2 Aunties and Ma.
