Party!

 Party!

 Props for Photo Booth

Had a lovely party full of little people this afternoon, in celebration of Olivia's 2nd birthday this Tuesday.

O kept us busy with her 'change of hats' for the Photo Booth before her guests arrived.

 Tie & Glasses

 Crown Cake

Thanks to IKEA (cake hat) and Pinterest (felt crown 'pinspiration'), we tiered up some party crowns in the shape of a cake. These super, simple felt crowns can be adjusted with velcro, to fit large and small noggins. Also easily embellished with buttons and bows.

 Pass-the-Parcel Prezzies

Last minute running around helped us chance upon the Pass-the-Parcel gifts; little bookmarks in the shape of animals. 

Recently O and I attended a soft-opening for a new kids music class in town. The program featured a round of Pass-the-Parcel like I had never seen before with each child opening a small treasure (instead of one child getting the prize at the end.)

Loved this PC version, which worked out with the help of the mommies!

 Guess How Many?

A little guessing game for the adults involved 'guess-timating' how many M&M's were in the jar.

Hint: Answer at the end of this entry! 

  Party Grub

 The food was egg & dairy free (minus the carrot cake icing!)

 Cookie Tier

 Full of Iron

Ginger Snap Recipe
*from How It All Vegan

Stir together...
~2 1/2 cups flour
~1 t baking soda
~1 t baking powder
~1/2 t salt
Mix...
~3/4 cup maple syrup
~1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
~1/2 cup oil
~5 T freshly grated ginger
Stir wet and dry together until just mixed. Spoon onto cookies sheet. Bake 350 degrees F for 12 minutes.

 Full of Sugar!

Maple Orbs Recipe-Mama's Fave!
*from How It All Vegan

Combine...
~1 cup tahini (or any nut or seed butter)
~1/3-1/2 cup maple syrup
Add...
~1 cup oat bran (or process oats in blender)
~1/2 cup wheat germ
~1 cup sesame seeds
Blend until the dough has stiff consistency.
Roll into orbs and coat with coconut.
Chill until ready to serve.

 Full of Calcium

Carob Brownie Recipe

*from How It All Vegan
Sift together...
~1 1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup carob powder
~1 1/2 t baking powder
~1/2 t salt
Add...
~3/4 cup maple syrup
~1/4 cup apple juice or water
~1/3 cup oil
~2 t vanilla
Stir until just mixed. Pour into 8x8 inch oiled pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.

 Full of Chia & Coconut

Vegan Macaroon Recipe-Daddy's Fave
Combine
 1/2 cup raw sugar
~1/4 cup oatmilk
~1 T chia seeds
~1 T maple syrup
~1 T flax meal
~1 t vanilla
~1/2 t salt
Add...
~1 1/2 cup coconut
~6 T flour
Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes.

Gifts-to-Go: Putamayo CD's & Apple Chips

When all the guests had gone, O was still partying on, singing away to herself (Happy Birthday!)

We filled the bathtub with all of the balloons and made an attempt to settle in after a fun-filled afternoon!

A big thanks to our friends in Shanghai for helping us celebrate this milestone together!

There were 478 M&M's for one lucky winner!