Painting roses and a balloon hunt

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Thanks for all the happy birthday wishes for Sugarwings! I think she had a fun day, at least I know that I did!!

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She and her daddy picked us up at the airport, and that was the best homecoming ever, to see her face light up as she ran to us. Well worth getting up at 4 am to fly home to spend the day with her.

When we got back to the cottage, she and I baked some cakes.  I used a regular brownie mix, but added a can of pears in light syrup (whirred in the blender) and a cup of applesauce, and 2 eggs, no fat or water.  She got to push all the buttons and do all the mixing herself, so she didn't care if I was trying to healthy it up a bit.

We also "painted" roses. We used some clear corn syrup and food coloring, then she got to dip away, and add colored sugar sprinkles to each one.

 These are the white icing roses that I saw  Andrea show on her site, and had her take me to find some for myself when we were out shopping one day, the are really pretty and I just love using them!

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When her little cousin, Pixie Pie came by to help decorate, they got pretty serious with getting the cakes  just right.

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But it is hard to stay serious when there are sprinkles to shake! Most photos are a blur of hands whirring through the air and sprinkles flying everywhere.

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And so much for adding healthier ingredients to the cake itself, the tops were so goobered up with colored sugars, three kinds of sprinkles, marshmallows, squeeze tube icing, and painted roses that you could explode in a burst of sugary happiness just looking at them!

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Sugarwings took her cousin on a walk along the Yellow Brick Road, but most kids her age aren't as informed obsessed  about Oz as our fairy baby, so Pixie Pie wasn't too impressed with that after all the icing fun.

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She did enjoy the Fairy Berry Trail, though.  There was a butterfly balloon for each of them tied to branches out  in the woods.

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But first, they had to search for them.

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The balloons were from the Dollar Store and I don't think there could be a better bang for the buck than the joy we got for $2 out on the Fairy Berry Trail with these balloons.

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It was certainly a fun way for me to spend my fairy grand baby's birthday.  I can't imagine a better party. Not big, not flashy, just some simple sugary pleasures and a walk in the woods.   I think I want to spend my next birthday on the Fairy Berry Trail too….

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36 thoughts on “Painting roses and a balloon hunt”

  1. The two of them together is just a cuteness overload! Good job on the healthy cake. Maybe the insides balanced out all that sugary goodness on top.

  2. Sweet Karla! Love the black and white photo with colored balloon. very Oz. When my Baby was SugarWings age, she was obsessed with MGM musicals…knew all the dialogue and lyrics to ShowBoat, Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, and of course, the Wizard of Oz (not MGM, though, I think?) Anyway, You have inspired me to put a bit of yellow brick road into my garden, leading back to the Secret Shade Garden behind the garage, with child size doorway and heaven knows what else, it is a work in planning. What fun! Your Friend Bobbi.

  3. I enjoy your blog very much Karla…thanks for letting us glimpse into your life. Happy b-day sugarwings.
    xojanis

  4. Aw! That is the sweetest thing! Waldorf School is the perfect match for her, Karla. I have a little “Sugarwings” who is twenty-nine and we strongly considered it for her. She has struggled to find a way to match her creativity with…a payong JOB! Majored in Drama and Film Studies. Worked fancy clothes retail. Then did a semester of Costume Design. Didn’t want to sew forever. Then wanted to do Art Therapy. We told our little KittyKat” that she would have to pay for all the prerequisites…and she did. Now she is getting her Masters in Clinical Social Work with a certificate in Expressive Therapies. Finally! It only took twelve years! But…back to the topic. I think Sugarwings will just THRIVE at Waldorf School (and I was a school psych so I have a strong opinion about things like that!)

  5. This was delightful. Simply delightful! I actually thought the too-sugared birthday cake looked kinda good!! Love these pics, too. One question. Why have you not purchased yourself Photoshop? I am addicted to it. I started with PS Elements and to be honest it’s pretty much what I still use most the time. You would loooooove it!! – Kathy in Chicago happy to help you spend your money ;o)

  6. My stars Karla what a wonderful birthday party your lil sugarwings had and that she has such a sweet lil cousin to share it with. I almost want a grandbaby of my own to try all these wonderful things with but being that my eldest just turned 18, I think I will wait for just a tad longer 🙂 but I did want to say that, the first picture where she is walking on the yellow brick road and looking towards the camera…my stars, she looks stunning…she could be a lil model. Both lil girls are delish though, makes me want another one…no wonder my Mr wonderful had no complaints when I bought that big old baby doll today, I think he figured it was easier than the real thing:) Rose

  7. Oh Gosh!! I just loved all the sweet photos of the girls… You really know how to capture them.. they sure were having fun with the cake,,, looked so yummy to me… I wish you sweet little Sugar wings a very Happy Birthday full of lovely wishes…. and dreams come true..
    Hugs;
    Alaura

  8. dearest karla,
    this beautiful post is just filled with love and precious moments captured.
    one of the sweetest pics ever of sugar wings and i GASPED over little pixie pie. what an adorable little nickname.
    you must just revel in your moments with these little magical sweetie pies.
    xo
    ps
    i’m having a little giveaway to celebrate my 1st blogthday if you’d like to hop over.

  9. So much sweetness!! And I don’t mean the cake decorating. 🙂 That picture of Pixie Pie with the big smile is so cute – she looks like she’s about to burst from happiness!!!
    Susan

  10. Karla,
    What a great party you all had! The “cakes” were wonderful and I loved the pictures of the girls on the yellow brick road. WE ALL know all roads lead to Kansas! Loved looking a the joy and wonder on their little faces! All the green is so beautiful, too. As grandmothers go you’re one of the bestest!!
    Sandy

  11. Karla,
    What a SWEET SWEET post! Gosh Sugarwings is sooo lucky to have you. I am loving the fairy trail!!! Happy Birthday Sugarwings!
    BTW….Pixie pie is adorable as well !!! 🙂 XO,Jenn

  12. Aaawwww I’m late I’m late (I kinda sound like Mr. Rabbit, huh? LOL)
    Oh dearie, she really is a darling. Reading and seeing the pictures, I think it’s nice to celebrate birthdays for young ones just like these. Letting her enjoy the thins that she truly love with an added special twist just for this day 🙂 I mean, look at those yummy cakes!
    And there again, the fairy berry trail. I’m curious how you’ll celebrate yours too 🙂
    Li

  13. OH I want to go spend a birthday at the Fairy Berry Trail too! Happy belated birthday to sweet little Sugarwings! What a special day and special memories you are creating for her. You’re the best grandma ever!!!

  14. Karla, I am so impressed with your Grammying skills! I do my best to be a great one also to my two little kidlets, ages 9 and 4. It goes so fast!!! Love the trail and all you do to make it so endearing.

  15. She is just divine and so sweet with her little cousin! I can just see wings on the back of them! Good choice of school for her, she will just thrive! Rachaelxo

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