The post where I describe party prep and you all tell me I'm crazy

Bubby's party is Saturday. It's Superhero themed.

We were originally planning on Thomas the Train, but he asked for Superheros and so we switched. And then I went slightly overboard for a 3 year old's party.

There will be three cakes. They're made but not decorated yet. One chocolate, one lemon, and one funfetti-style. All made from scratch (because my cakes are better than box cakes. Full disclosure: I made box cupcakes for Griffin's daycare party, because "'ain't nobody got time for that").

The chocolate cake will be decorated Spidey-style. Red frosting (also homemade, because why not), spider, webbing. I do guarantee it will look good. Lemon cake is Iron Man (he's the sour one), decorated as his mask. The funfetti cake is Captain America, mostly because that will be the easiest one to decorate.

I have blank masks, foam stars, planets, & paint. I'll get felt squares and fabric glue. Large pieces of felt will be cut into cape-shapes and we'll decorate our Superhero capes & masks. Ribbon will be used to tie capes on.

While the capes dry, we'll go on a scavenger hunt to find the Avengers. Because Red Skull is threatening to crash the party and we have to have the Avenger's help to defeat the bay guy. My dad is making a Red Skull pinata, so that when we come back from our neighborhood search, we'll defeat the enemy.

I also have a cardboard cutout of Captain America for pictures. Industrial strength bubbles to test our superpowers, and chalk - because who doesn't like chalk?

Normal hot dog/hamburger party fare. I'm not getting fancy on food. I may just buy a giant tub of macaroni salad because, again, make macaroni salad from scratch? 'aint nobody got time for that.

The party in my head is awesome. I just hope the party that actually happens is just as awesome. Or at least that everyone has fun.

Mostly Random Bits of the Weekend Thus Far

This weekend is the 1st of two three-day weekends we get in February. And by "we" I mean the kids & I. Bryan doesn't get 3-day weekends, and he rarely gets 2-day weekends. Most weekends he works during nap-time or after the kids go to bed, if not during the day... while we're both glad he's working, it is difficult not to have a whole weekend of family time.

Yesterday was the one day of this long weekend that he got to be "free" - he and my dad drove up to San Jose to catch a Sharks game while the kids & I spent time with my mom & grandma. Errands, play time, a movie, and lots of snacks later, we met back up with Bryan and headed over to a friend's house for dinner and Rock Band. It was a fun, but exhausting, day.

Today was another fun one. This morning I packed the kids up in the bike trailer, hitched the dog to the bike, and went to the park for a morning of fun. Let me say that again. I placed by 41 & 38 pound children in the 25+ pound bike trailer, attached the 60+ pound dog, and rode to the park.

It was fun, but good gracious I am out of shape.

Then we tried to walk to the library, but it was closed. Boo. This is the second time in as many weeks I've tried to take the kids to library and been denied. I have hopes it will be open tomorrow, but since it's a holiday I'm not going to hold my breath.

During naps (well, for G), Penelope and I went grocery shopping. It's always nice to spend time with just the two of us. She really seemed to enjoy it, I know I did.

When we got home I started a sponge starter for tomorrow's bread, made heart shaped dog biscuits, made sugar cookie dough for tomorrow's cookies, made dinner, and made lemon ricotta muffins.

Oh, the dishes.

And Oh, this post is boring.

Maybe it will be one of those posts that the kids really appreciate when they look back over the blog as adults (ha, like they'll read it).

I do have some pictures, but they're on my phone which is in the other room and Downton Abbey is on, so there's NO WAY I'm going to leave to go get it.

Baking with the babies

For Penelope's birthday we make cupcakes for daycare and cake for our pizza-party. Penelope helped with both (and actually helped). Griffin watched.

It was actually a lot of fun. Prior to this event, Penelope's "helping" has been less than helpful when it comes to cooking. But this time she was able to count out scoops, stir without making a mess, and didn't try and stick her hand into the batter.

Plus, she looked super cute while baking.