A Sprinkle of a Celebration

Over the weekend we enjoyed getting together with some good friends to play, visit and celebrate.  My two best mommy friends have daughters who are within six weeks in age to Mini Muffin, so we've always had fun getting together.  One of them also has a son who is only two weeks younger than Little Smiling Man, so we have also very much enjoyed getting the boys together and spending time together during our maternity leaves.  The third friend is due with a little boy in just a few weeks, so we will all have "matching" families!

We took some time for the girls to play (which we all wish would happen more often), and to celebrate the little man that will soon be joining us.  Since showers aren't a thing for second babies, we had a little "sprinkle" to surprise her.  We had snacks, cupcakes, lots of fun, and sent her home with meals for her freezer to help during those first few hazy weeks with a new baby.  She was surprised, and very pleased with the home cooked food she received, and, well, everyone loves cupcakes.  Especially chocolate ones with creamed cheese icing!

My original vision was a bit grander... there would be nicely decorated cupcakes (or even a cake!), the girls would do a Valentine's Day craft, and not only would I have food for my friend's freezer, but would also send her home with fresh baked muffins.  I held fast to this concept... until about 9pm Saturday.  At that point, the Thai Coconut Chicken I was making for her was about 75% complete, the cupcakes weren't started, and I had no craft planned (let alone set up).  Thinking forward, I realised that to have my husband, myself, and both kids fed and dressed, a snack set out, and the house play date ready by 10am the next morning when our guests would arrive, would be a feat in itself!  I quickly readjusted my priorities.

First, the chicken supper for my friend's freezer.  Sending her home with delicious and easy suppers was the big driver for getting everyone together.  Once it was cooked, the pot was relocated to the garage to cool overnight.  My original vision of giving the meal in a foil pan over rice was dashed when I realised that I forgot to get the pans.  However with hindsight I realised that gifting the meals in freezer bags would make for smaller storage in what would hopefully be a freezer full of good food!  And, it was super easy to finish off in the morning.  Phew!

Second, the cupcakes to celebrate with!  I used a mix (gasp!), and got them baked before bed.  Icing waited until morning, and instead of fancy piped decorations with blue tinted icing, I used some blue candies I'd picked up ahead of time just in case.  It was a super quick alternative that gave almost the same effect.  As a bonus, everyone seemed to enjoy the contrast of sour candies with sweet cake and icing.

It's a boy!  Chocolate cupcakes with creamed cheese icing... mmm...

In the end, we were ready and waiting for our guests.  The girls had a blast, and after playing in princess dresses we even had to do a thorough de-glittering of our basement (surely, that's the sign of a good party!).  We all enjoyed a healthy snack of cheese, crackers, apples, grapes and milk, and then indulged in cupcakes.  The cupcakes were definitely a hit - both of my mommy friends requested to take some home!  And, everyone left just after noon to head home for nap time. 

Looking at the morning as a whole, I think it's fair to say that it didn't match my original vision, but the most important elements were there.  Friends both little and big, fun, laughter, and a cause to celebrate.  We didn't need fancy cupcakes, structured activities, or bags and bags of food to send home with our friend.  We needed to take some time out, enjoy our children, and gift what we could to our friend in celebration of her growing family.

It really was a perfect morning to remember.