sledding party
March 1st, 2011
We celebrated my little boy’s fourth birthday this past weekend–a week late. On his actual birthday we were all too sick, or if not sick then too crabby, to do much of anything. But this week we were better! We ventured out of the house! And we had a sledding party!
My son actually came up with the idea (is he secretly reading crafty blogs?) while we were in Hawaii oddly enough. And it seemed perfect: the sky had just dumped ridiculous amounts of snow on the midwest. But then we got back and it was 40 degrees and you could see the grass! In February! The day before the party it snowed a few fluffy inches, just enough to fly down the hill on. Thank you weather.
It was a small party, so making favors was a pleasure rather than a production. We made vanilla marshmallows, which we packaged in waxed paper bags all prettied up with snowflakes. I doubled my friend Lily’s recipe for hot cocoa mix only used regular sugar and threw in a few teaspoons of salt for good measure. Some of the hot cocoa mix went into jars I scrounged up and with the rest I made a vat of hot chocolate for the party. And then made a vat of whipped cream to go with it.
Obviously, I stole the tail gating idea from Courtney and actually I think this was the first time I’ve ever even been to a tail gate party. Not a lot of sports fans in the family. It is awesome (if you didn’t know). And it is super awesome for a little kid’s party. They just come and go when they please, while you help yourself to another spoonful of whipped cream in your coffee. dontmindifIdo.
Slowly everyone’s toes froze and it was time to go home. But before that there was much sledding and snacking and frosting on faces. I say it was a success and my big four year old boy says so too.
Wow, what a stylish kids party! I love all the little details – the white, the waxed paper bags, the gorgeous little cupcakes with white tops (is that marshmallow or something else on top?). Could you come and do my own party? ;-)
it’s 7 minute frosting, which I made because it looks so much like marshmallows!
I was just about to say that I definitely require more information about that frosting. It looks so beautiful and fluffy and edible! Sigh.
What a great idea! We have two birthdays in February, mine and our eldest. I don’t think he will be up for this (he’ll be 18 on his next birthday) but I think it would make for a nice winter picnic so…. :) Once again thanks!!
my birthday is in February too, so I know how it can be kind of sucky. I bet your 18 would be into sledding! You just have to find the scariest hill!
What lucky grandchildren I have!
this makes me want to be a kid again (or maybe have a kid, for like, a couple days. i don’t know, maybe more…)
What fun! Any chance of sharing your cupcake frosting recipe? I’m still struggling to find a good frosting I like and yours looks absolutely beautiful! I can only assume that it was equally delicious!
I used Martha’s 7 minute frosting recipe. It made a ton, so I shoved the pastry tip into the cupcakes and filled them up like ho-hos. The frosting is good, if ridiculously sweet, but it doesn’t hold up well so you need to use it pretty much right after you make it.
Wow, what a fun party idea! The food all looks gorgeous and delicious… I havenever made marshmallows but would like to someday. Is it hard?
It’s not super hard, but it isn’t like anything you’ve ever made before. As long as you don’t have any distractions you should be able to make them no problem. I have still to make anything besides vanilla, but mint, coconut, anise, lemon would be amazing too.
It all looks amazing. Happy Birthday to your little guy.
That big ol’ stock pot of hot chocolate makes me happy.
Looks great– I love it! I meant to use Martha’s 7 minute frosting recipe, but didn’t have enough egg whites at the last minute and had to buy frosting. I was so dissapointed, but decided to go easy on myself, since it seems that for every party I throw, there is something I just have to let go.
Wow! This makes me wish my birthday was in the winter – and that I lived where there was snow. What a lucky four year old! Happy Birthday to him.
Those cupcakes look amazing, what a great idea for a fun white winter party.
I made martha’s snickerdoodle cupcakes last week, but skipped the 7 minute frosting she recommends. Now seeing your beauties: big mistake! What a fun sounding party.
I have a 10-year-old with a Feb 15 birthday. We have had adequate snow here (Northeast Ohio) for his birthday about every other year. One year the ground was almost bare but frozen and the boys sledded on a very bumpy hill. They were determined. This past weekend was perfect for sledding and his party was great fun.
I recommend using spray bottles with colored water for painting the snow. We did that several times when he was a little younger and it was a big hit. Pretty the next day, too.
wow, that looks so nice! Here the sun is coming and it’s a real spring day so intead of sledding we will go for a bike ride…
Oh, it looks great! And I’m glad you spilled the beans on that glorious looking frosting!
Man that is the most awesomest winter spread i have seen right out the back of a vehicle! And those cupcakes, I swear I could eat them up right off of my computer screen!
Our now 8 year old has had a sledding party every year since she was 4….we always love it! And here in northern WI we always have plenty of snow!
well happy birthday to your little man! looks like a great party from the pics, love the bags with snowflakes!
Elsie
I love this post what a fantastic photo story. I couldn’t help but want to post about it..
Check it our here xx Kym
http://lalahiprism.blogspot.com/2011/03/tail-gate.html
Lovely!!!
What a lovely party…looks like from a magazine. Lucky little boy.
your parties look so lovely! what a great idea–such a clever boy!