FIVE

My little Makenna turned 5 on Dec. 3rd and we celebrated with a "candy store" party. Here is the birthday girl in front of her SWEET table. She is sporting her fancy tooth necklace she got from the dentist.

The table of goodies is ready for some shoppers. Elise helped me set up the table. She is the "jar queen" thank goodness. I had some jars and she let me borrow the rest. Thanks Elise! She also made that adorable candy wreath you see behind the table. I will put that on Makenna's bedroom door for Christmas from now on. It turned out so cute!

It would not be a candy store without a striped scalloped sign so I made this one out of a scrap piece of beadboard that I had in my garage. I cut it with a jigsaw and painted it. I hot glued the lolipop ornament on it. This will now go in her room too.

Here is my niece, Bailey, writing on the chalkboard that we put on the front porch. It will say, "Where all your SWEET dreams come true." Bailey, Alyssa, and Bryce were such a help to me during the party. They wore their cute aprons and worked the candy store and helped with the crafts. I could not have done it without them!

That sweet wreath again. I just love it!

I made this sign from a 97 cent plaque I got from Wal Mart. I cut fabric with pinking shears to make the lollipop. I decopaged the fabric on after I spray painted the plague green. Those fabric candies are what the girls made for the craft.

A yummy view...

SWEET TREATS

My hubby was a real sport and even wore his apron while working the store. He LOVES his little girl and will do anything for her! Thanks honey!

This was their pre "candy binge" snack. I was trying to prevent belly aches. I don't know that it helped any.

Here is the girls making candy bracelets. I used red licorice, life savers, and fruit loops. I wanted them to make neclaces, but the Twizzlers were too short. I would recommend using the shoe string licorice if you can find it. It is longer and tougher than the Twizzlers. They broke easily, but were so cute.

They played "hot cupcake". It is just like hot potato, but using a chenille cupcake. They had fun doing this. They kept wanting to play over and over again.

These are the bags that they took home with their fabric candies they made. I put a label on each one with their name saying "Lilly's Candy Cottage" etc... I am hoping they will go home and use them in their play kitchens to have their own candy store.

Each guest took home one of these. They would need a good tooth brushing after all that candy!

The cupcakes. It looks like a lollipop was stolen! Oh well.

It took Makenna three tries to blow out the candle. She was really trying hard with those puffy cheeks!

Makenna's friend Sarah was enjoying her cupcake. Don't you just love her gingerbread dress? You should have seen her polka dot tights and sparkly shoes. So cute!

I made rainbow cupcakes that I saw on the Whatever blog. They were so fun to make. She put detailed instructions on her blog if you want to try them. You can make a rainbow cake too.





Makenna got her first American Girl doll. This is Kirsten Larson. She is retiring so Makenna asked for her. I NEVER thought I would buy one of these expensive dolls until I went to the store... I had to eat my words!




I can't believe Makenna is 5 already. I still think of her as my baby girl. She brought me to tears when we were making her cupcakes and goodies together. I told her that next year I would be bringing cupcakes to her kindergarten class at school. She said, "yeah, I won't be doing this (baking) with you anymore." I got a lump in my throat when she said that, but I told her that we will just do it together the night before. Makenna is my kindred spirit. We are a lot alike so I understand her and know that her free spirit does not always lead to task completion and organization, but she is so much fun and the things she says keep me laughing! She loves life and appreciates the little things. Her memory of the details amazes me. Thank you Makenna for 5 fun filled years. I look forward to lots more fun birthday parties with you and yes, we will always do the baking together!