Happy 9th Birthday Hannah

While Josie was here this morning watching Asher, I managed to get Hannah's cake done. She had wanted "fairy wings" so I got an idea of google, and then created this. Rachel saw it with the flowers on and thought it looked great. Then she went out to do something and I got all the silver balls on. When she came back she was amazed. It looked fine before, but the little bit extra a big effect.
We had planned to bring the cake just before lunch (not morning tea as that would not give me enough time). So Hannah hadn't seen it at all. She was thrilled with it.
The kids all remembered her cake from last year, so they were excited to see this years one. Although so very different to last year, I did hear some lovely comments.
Photo out of focus - but probably a good thing as then I don't need to worry about privacy issues - you can't really see their faces well anyway. :-)
One boy asked if I could do a tractor. I said yes, but that I only do cakes for my children.

I honestly don't really like making cakes in many ways. It's far too stressful for me as I always want everything to be perfect (and it never is). I do love making cakes for my children though. It's my special gift to them. With all my love and with all my heart.
Money can't buy that. ;-)

And although we don't really do "parties", it was nice for Hannah to have 4 friends come over for a visit after school today (2 sets of sisters).
The off cuts of the wings had been wrapped in some extra icing (with some extra flowers) and so they enjoyed a bit more cake this afternoon too.

Hezekiah was being a bit excluded, so Brendon suggested he get a water gun and wet the girls. They got into the game very quickly and decided to rather get their togs on. Then the sprinkler was on and they had a great time.

Then dressed warmly and inside for a bit of a movie (while they had dinner) and then some games.
A nice special afternoon for Hannah.

I finally remembered to take a photo of our lovely apple tree this morning. There are SO many on the ground already. Many do have worms, but the children often go out and look for a good one to eat. Rachel especially likes eating them freshly picked. We do need to get all the good ones in soon though, as the birds are enjoying them too.

Ruth got some picked this evening as she wanted to choose 3 for an entry into the show. She only got her Home Learning Challenge book on Thursday, and when she looked though it today she saw that one option was to have 5 entries in the show. She had one that she had done at school, so quickly decided on 4 more.
She did an arrangement in a boot, 3 apples (2 entries for this one - smaller apples from the tree on the other side of the house). She also made a kiwi bird out of a sweetpotato (animal or bird out of veg) and then just needed to get an "abstract" arrangement done in the morning. Entries need to be at the hall by 9:15, so she has a bit of time to finish up in the morning.
I wanted to take a photo, so she decided to entertain us at the same time. Our clown. :-)

Rachel spotted this praying mantis on the kitchen window this evening, so quickly took this photo. Lovely detail.
Big day tomorrow with Hannah's actual birthday and the Hawarden show, so I will leave those photos for the next post. :-)

Happy 8th Birthday Hannah

Hannah was excited about the idea of a Frozen cake, but we kept the actual cake idea a surprise.
Our idea with the Frozen theme was to stick with white icing (and therefore avoid major food colouring - although there is still some in the white fondant icing).
It was only in the morning when she opened her presents that she saw that she had been given the two dolls for the cake.
So when she left for school she just knew that it would be a white cake with Elsa and Anna on as well as the snow flakes and "ice" that I had made.

I spent a bit of time cutting the 2nd layer to forms stars. We made a small 3rd cake for Elsa to be that bit higher in her "castle" of ice.

The snowflakes were made out of egg white and icing sugar. I did these early in the week so that they would dry.
I did eventually get a batch of rock candy right with a touch of blue colouring. It looks a bit green because the rock candy started off a bit golden (yellow and blue do make green).
One of my rock candy failures became "snow". I had wanted to avoid the golden colour, and so tried to cook it slower. This was not a good idea as crystals formed and as soon as I tried to stir it (with the plan to add colouring) this happened.

A view from the top so you get to see some of the "snow" that was sprinkled over the whole cake.

Hannah was so excited when we arrived at school with the finished product. It was a bit stressful for me to have such a specific time frame to work in (we had agreed to arrive 15 minutes before morning tea break).
A few of the children were asking what the "ice" was and so I gave them a quick science lesson about boiling point of water and evaporation ect. ;-)
It was nice that I had some of the first un-coloured batch (you can spot the golden piece to the left of the cake in the tray) so that Hannah could enjoy some rock candy too.

It was nice that Hannah could share the cake and celebration with her class.

I had wondered if there would be cake left over as I made a couple batch of sponge cake (we didn't want to take any home because it's wheat and so a break in our diet as a treat).
I needn't have worried though - with cutting decent sized pieces the entire cake was finished once everyone in the class had a piece. I was pleasantly surprised when all the rock candy and snowflakes were polished off too. :-) I suppose I've never been to a birthday party with over 20 children. :-)

Happy 7th Birthday Hannah

Early morning present opening.

When Hannah saw what was inside of this present she got so excited that she jumped on Ruth shouting "thank you - I always wanted this".

She got a Barbie doll pool, about 4 Barbies and a Ken. I love that Hannah didn't mind that they were 2nd hand (I honestly don't even know if she realized). She was just so excited. I know they will bring her many hours of fun.

Brendon had the day off so that I could get busy on the cake. The cakes had been made last week and had been waiting in the freezer for the big day. For all the photos on how we did it and my helpers, you can look here.
Hannah was thrilled with the result.

When the school finished we went up to fetch Katie. Hannah was so excited to have another present to open. She got a lovely pencil case with accessories and this was a perfect gift as she needed those things for her Brownie bag.

I had to smile at Asher. When she saw that I was taking photos of them sitting on the couch - she must have thought it was monthly photo time - so she hopped up too. :-)

Brooke also came over once she was home from school and then we enjoyed cake time.

Sparkly candles were not easy to blow out - so she had to take an even bigger breath.

And get a bit of help from her friends.

After afternoon tea they headed out for some games. Ruth and Rachel had organized a few. It was great to have a nice clear day for them to enjoy.

Hezekiah part of the fun too. They had them running all around the garden. Working off some of the sugar from that icing (the cake itself was sugar free).

Then inside for pass the parcel. They had a great time and Hannah was very upset when Katie had to go home. I am glad she will get to have regular Youth time now to enjoy that friendship more.

Happy 6th Birthday Hannah

Birthday preparation started on Saturday evening with Hannah helping Rachel bake the cake. Even though her birthday is Tuesday, we decided we would celebrate on Sunday so that we have the day to enjoy together.

After breakfast it was time for presents. Both Rachel and Ruth had bought her presents and they were just as excited as her at them being opened.

Asher getting into the fun of playing with the paper.

Thank you Nana for the lovely game. Tumbling Monkeys.
Thank you Rachel for the lovely princess things.

Then the time to decorate the cake. Rachel made and iced it and then Hannah got to put the pebbles on.

Then a family game of Tumbling Monkeys while Asher had her nap. There was only an afternoon service at church today and as it's a bit difficult for us with the younger two, we had a nice quiet day at home.







Then once Asher was awake it was cake time.
Good job Hannah, it looks lovely.


Below: Time to sing and blow candles.

In the afternoon Val, Brooke and Logan came over for a piece of cake and a game of Dutch Blitz. Hannah enjoyed playing at their house in the afternoon and then we had a treat and had Pizza for dinner.
Asher did really well on her piece, wanting to feed herself and decorate her whole face and head at the same time. Such a cutie.

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah

Hannah and I made her birthday cupcakes yesterday and got busy with the icing this morning. Thankfully Asher had a lovely long sleep in the sling so we could get a lot of work done. Hannah had said she wanted a garden - so I suggested making some flowers.

She was so pleased to be able to help with them all. She put the 100s and 1,000s onto each little piece of marshmallow. She worked really well and when Ruth asked if she was getting tired she was sure to say "no". No one else was going to get to do her job today. ;-)

The result was very effective. We had three difference sizes which was fun.

Arranged as a bunch of flowers with some chocolate butterflies as an added bonus. :-) Hannah was very pleased with these too. It's wonderful to see so much excitement and joy over something rather simple really.

We will be doing cupcakes for everyone's birthdays this year. I just feel as though we have started with such a lovely idea that it's going to be hard to come up with more nice ideas for the rest of the children.

I do have to find out how to make dark coloured icing though. I have never managed to make red or a dark blue or green. With Hezekiah's love for the Wiggles and their bright colours I had better find out before then. I also tried to do some decorative icing and it was again a massive flop. I really do need to find out what the key is.

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah. What a big girl already.

Unfortunately two of the girls that Hannah knows from Ballet could not make it at the last minute so she just had the 2 friends. She was gives such lovely present.








The three little girls (with Ruth in the background). Katy is 5 1/2 and Olivia will be 5 in a couple of months.

We waited for Brendon to come home and then it was time for the "cake".

Blowing out the candles.

Playing with her butterfly before she ate it. ;-) (Sorry - I forgot to force the flash for the photo).
It was a lovely little party and nice that she could celebrate with friends.
Thank You Lord for Hannah and the blessing she is to our family.