Eli's Birthday Party

Eli will turn eleven this month.  We have a tradition of celebrating his birthday here at the pond if he visits during August.  Unfortunately, we did not follow that tradition last year as we were caught up in wedding preparations during his visit.

This year's party was based on the Netflix baking series 'Nailed It' which happens to be one of Eli's favorite shows this summer.  Our version of this challenge was a lot less cut throat.  On the show, contestants must try to remake a decorated cake dessert with pretty much only written instructions and if they are lucky a bit of help from actual pastry chef judges.  There is only one winner who makes the best replica of the original item.  Half way through the show the person in the lead gets to wear a gold sequined chef's hat.

At El's party, he was given a white chef's hat that said 'Eli Nailed It!'  It seemed appropriate that the guest of honor get the hat and it was a way to announce the theme.  I wanted everybody to be a winner so I created a grading sheet with many different titles.  Each contestant or party guest had to select a title for each cupcake created.

I had gone on the Internet and printed out pictures of cupcakes that we could decorate at home with items found in the local stores baking aisles.  We ended up purchasing frosting already in bag, frosting in a spray can, sprinkles, small cookies, fruit, powdered sugar and more.  Contestants picked their picture, grabbed a premade cupcake and got to work.  When they were done they displayed them on cupcake stands that I made from items found at the dollar store.

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Of course, no party is complete without presents.  Laura recognized his tech side with her gift.  While Mike had noticed that Eli was enjoying Grandma's old Nintendo that he had found across the street so we bought him one just like it to take home. And Sela thoughtfully provided him with a new pair of flip flops since half of his had disappeared since he arrived at the pond.  

It was a very successful party but the best part about it might have been that we had lots of cupcakes, icing and decorations left over.  My guests ended up reliving the party by decorating and eating cupcakes for the next several days.