It's a Penguin Party

This Sunday we celebrated Sophia's birthday with a little Penguin themed party. It all started with a little plush penguin, then I found these great napkins at Target and the tin my mom already had. That got my wheels turning and I decided I'd attempt to make an igloo cake. 

Cute little penguins.

To make the cake I used two box cake mixes and store-bought frosting. For the dome-mold I used a pyrex, oven-safe glass bowl (Martha Stewart makes an Igloo cake mold, which costs $59.99, I bought the pyrex bowl at a local kitchen store for $2.39). I put about 3/4 of the mix in the bowl and bake it at 350 for almost an hour.Then I put the rest of the mix into my muffin pan to make cupcakes (and baked them at the recommended time).

 Once the cake had cooled I place it on a tray and then I cut the tops of two cupcakes and cut the cupcakes in half, so I had four half circles. These were for the doorway. To form the doorway I put a little frosting on the tray as "glue" then stacked the half circles two high and two deep. Then I covered the whole thing in white frosting. I used blue frosting to make two little ponds (I should have used gel frosting for a more realistic look, but I didn't have it. Next time.). Around the igloo is placed "Frosty and Friends" ornaments (there was no way I was making fondant penguins!). Here's how it all came out:

Putting the finishing touches on the cake while Sophia looks on.

The birthday girl chatting up with guests.

A little apprehensive at all the attention, and the giant igloo coming towards her.

Time to blow out the candle.

 First taste.

 Digging in.

This is the "ice cream is COLD!" face.

Daddy went in for a closer look and got a little frosting slap on the cheek.

Diving in to the presents.

Loving the baby doll. (Notice the little penguin on her shirt and there are penguins on her socks too:-)

But loving the puppet even more.

Big kisses for the puppet.

Overall it was a success and so much fun! A year sure went by fast.

--Sarah

Planning A Penguin Birthday

Sophia turns 1 in nine days. Every says it goes so fast, and when they do you think "Yeah, OK. EVERYONE is saying that to me, it is so cliche!" The thing is it is not just cliche, it's TRUE. And because of that you start repeating it to other people...and you become THAT person. This year has gone by so fast and it is hard to believe that just a year ago at this time I was counting down the days, hugely pregnant, waiting, trying to stay busy, just plain excited and anxious to meet my little girl. And then she arrived in a blaze of speedy glory (this girl wanted OUT!) and suddenly I understood the meaning of a  birthday. Seriously, giving birth changes your perspectives on birthdays--it really should be all about the moms.

Sophia seems to be fascinated with Penguins lately--well since I bought her a little plush penguin at HM for $3 and we watch the movie "Happy Feet" (Disney's animated penguin movie) when she was sick several months ago. Poor girl was feverish and all she wanted to do was sit in my lap and suck her thumb. Maybe the whole penguin thing is made up in my mind (I mean really, she's only one), but I thought it would make a good theme for her Birthday party.

Here are the invitations I made on our Mac using Pages. I printed them on glossy post cards from Staples--and because I was trying to write this blog post AND print at the same time, it took four attempts to get the invitations printed on the correct side, facing the correct way...so much for multi-tasking.

I've blocked out personal information, but you get the idea.

And since we're doing a penguin theme I though an Igloo cake would be a prefect addition. Here's what I'll be attempting to duplicate, although I won't be using fondant for the icing or making little fondant penguins. I have a few ideas up my sleeve that should duplicate the look but be WAY more simple. I'll be posting about that when the day comes:-)

Can't wait to share the pictures from the party!

--Sarah