Annika is one!

Annika turned one on Friday 22nd July 2011.

We had a small family celebration on the actual date. I got her a Baskin Robbins cake that had a lion's face and we ordered pizza from Pepperoni's for the family. The kids got to eat together with us after their dinner( they eat much too early for the rest of us) and I think they had a blast. Madison and Elizabeth helped to blow her single candle out and the cake was a huge hit.

The next day we had a party to celebrate. The theme was Cookie monster-since she has one that she likes. My cookie monster cake turned out pretty well! The 2 weeks worth of thinking and planning was worth it. I chose a chocolate cake as the base, and used a white chocolate ganache for the middle. It was covered with a buttercream frosting. The cake was baked 3 days in advanced, then we decorated and iced it the day before the party. We managed to get the eyes popping out too! The blue fur turned out quite realistic too with the piping tip that I got. The base was covered in the base buttercream then decorated with candy sprinkles, marshmellows and M&Ms. Which were obviously a hit with the kids. They all wanted a slice with M&ms on it.

I packed choc chip cookies into little favour bags for the guests to take home. Kids got a little goody bag too. The house was decorated with blue and white streamers, and balloons that were blue, white and gold. Since they were helium balloons the kids got to take them home.

I was surprised that the guests actually started arriving pretty early! We had a good turnout, but quite a few of our close friends didn't come. Mostly because their kids were down with colds. Annika was a little overwhelmed with all the people though. I think she was also starting to fall sick too so she was quite grumpy towards the end. But it's ok. One month and 1 year old are momentous. Surviving the first month and year.

Madison is looking forward to her own birthday. She is already making plans for her birthday party!

Of course, right after the party the kids are down with colds AGAIN. Argh. More sleepless nights.