happy birthday finn

Because you know, finally posting in August about your sons April birthday is what the cool people do.  Or the forgetful ones...

Finn turned 3 on April 19th, not to be confused with tax day, April 15th which is the date I gave the dr.'s receptionist when I tried to make an appointment for him last week (where IS my brain these days?) and we threw him a Hungry Caterpillar party!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar was actually one of Liam's favorite books for a long time, so it was read over and over and over and Finn grew to love it as well.  And as cutsie caterpillars are more appropriate for 3 year olds than 7 year olds, I decided to run with this theme now. 

Since Pinterest is FULL of ideas for this type of party, I didn't have to look far for inspiration and thanks to my friend Leslie, I didn't have to spend a ton on decor either.  She had already thrown her little girl a hungry caterpillar party and graciously loaned me some supplies ('pillars are popular.)

All great parties need cake, so I broke out the food coloring (the only time I use it is for birthdays) and I made a green ombre cake with my new mini Wilton pans.

Here is the finished, iced cake and the birthday boy.

Again, a huge thank you to Leslie for the awesome food labels and the paper lanterns.

I like to drive parents nuts and do a craft at my parties.  But I refrained from paint ('cause that drives ME nuts) and stuck to glue this year.  I decided to have the kids put together their very own hungry caterpillars.  I made an example for them all to follow, cut out the pieces, stashed them in individual baggies beforehand and then all they had to do was assemble.  I wish I had remembered to get a shot of the finished caterpillars, because no two were alike, they all had their own special twist.  

Next up was presents!

And here's Finn's blue steel impression...

And finally cake, which Finn had been asking for since he woke up at 6am.

(Thank you to my dad who saved the day with his candles shot.  I am clearly having trouble functioning lately and my shot was, well, dark.) 

(mine)

(Dad's)

(mine) 

If you asked Finn "what's today?" he would reply, "my happy birthday!" 

A huge thank you to those who came and made his happy birthday extra special!

chocolate chip cookies

I think chocolate chip cookies are one of the first things I learned how to bake on my own.  You know the Toll House recipe?  Mmmmm!  Well a few years back I graduated to Sonlight chocolate chip cookies.  Sonlight is a Christian camp in Pagosa Springs that I never actually attended as a camper, (though Katie did, twice!) I spent time there in the fall for women's retreats.  But it doesn't matter what you are showing up for, Mary almost always makes chocolate chip cookies to welcome you.  And they are the best!  After I talked about these cookies for a couple of years a friend finally copied the recipe out of her Sonlight cookbook and gave it to me.  I have never looked back and I now share the goodness with you!

The recipe makes a lot, so I scoop the cookies onto a wax lined baking sheet and set them in the fridge to harden.  Then store them in tupperware in the freezer for up to a month.  And when the craving hits for warm, chocolat-y goodness, I set a few out to thaw.  It's almost like having one of those insta food things on the Enterprise from Star Trek.  Accept instead of asking the computer for chocolate chip cookies, I ask my Whirpool.

Sonlight's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 c. margarine (I sub in unsalted butter)
1 1/4 c. shortening (I use Spectrum organic shortening, it's non-hydrogenated) 
1/4 c. white sugar
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
4 tsp. baking soda*
2 tsp. salt
5 c. flour
2 packages chocolate chips (I use 3 cups of chips)

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the margarine, shortening and sugars.  Add vanilla and eggs.  In a separate mixing bowl combine dry ingredients, and gradually stir into the sugar mixture.  Mix in chocolate chips.

Bake for 8 minutes at 350.  Be sure to remove cookies from the oven when they are just set.  If you bake until a dark golden brown the cookies will not stay soft.**

*This recipe is adjusted to the altitude of Sonlight, about 8,000 feet.  You'll get different results at lower altitudes.  To bake these at a lower altitude, first try reducing the amount of baking soda, and increasing the amount of white sugar.  Here in Austin, I've found 3 1/2 tsp. of baking soda, no sugar adjustment, is fine.

**I do bake mine longer, about 12 minutes till they are a light brown.  I have no issues with them staying soft.