Morning,
Well! Today I had to give up my early morning P90x routine (’twill be Yoga Death when it does happen) so I could prepare for a child’s birthday.
It always amazes me how much money parents will spend on young children’s birthday parties, especially when with regards to gifts, the kids play with them for an hour or so and then whomp, into the toy bin it goes, never to be played with again.
Not in the Ling family! We live by some rather super Dollar Stores (it’s pretty amazing, actually, the things you can get for a dollar) and yesterday, I picked up 10 or so items I know will be adored for at least an hour before, you got it, they become forgotten. But at least, big chunks of money won’t have been wasted!
I also got the balloon, table decoration cover, sparklies, streamers, etc., and spent this morning setting up the kitchen for the birdieDay. The ice cream cake was especially unique – I always make them like so:
- Go to Pathmark
- Pick up cookie dough ice cream and chocolate chip cookies and vanilla chips
- Return home, let ice cream melt for an hour
- Get a bowl. Line it with plastic wrap.
- Put softened ice cream in bowl up ’til one inch below the top
- Mix in vanilla chips
- In another bowl, break up cookies and mix with ice cream. Pour that on top TO the top (it’s the cookie base.
- Cover and freeze
In the morning, the plastic wrap gives you hand holds to remove the ice cream – turn it upside down and voila, an ice cream cake you have! After that, I slathered on frosting and then designed an Elmo face on top. It’s currently back in the freezer, waiting for everyone to wake up.
I don’t mind spending money when kids are old enough to appreciate the adventure, so my little birthday route leaves the kids thrilled and me with some savings left. 
Enjoy,
Barbara
ps – Elmo is very popular with Birthdays….