For Lila’s second birthday, we had a garden-themed party. Of course. What two-year-old doesn’t prefer gardening to Dora or dinosaurs? (Actually, Lila is way more familiar with turning the compost (she loves worms. Parenting success!) and picking greens than she is with cartoon figures. She still refers to her preferred (Dora-branded) toothpaste as the one with “that girl” on it. (Another parenting success!).)
But seriously, until she has a strong enough opinion on such things, I get to choose. And so she’ll go out for Halloween dressed as a beneficial insect, and her loot bags will include soil.
Yep. I gave a bunch of kids dirt.
Here’s the close-up, and a recipe for a garden-themed “loot bag”:
1 small container (we used biodegradeable Fiskar’s Eco Pots, which come in really nice, muted colours.)
2 children’s gardening tools (we bought a couple sets of five tools from Lee Valley and broke them up. These are great kid’s tools – plastic, but really sturdy.)
1 bag of container soil (packaged in a plain, 1lb coffee bean bag – ask your local coffee shop for some.)
1 packet of seed (we used purple bush beans – easy and fun to grow – and packaged them in pretty paper envelopes made using a template found online.)
1 wood tongue depressor, stamped with child’s name.
The cupcakes were fun to make too. I love to bake, but rarely get beyond my basics: cookies, scones, muffins, and biscuits. Birthday parties offer a nice change, and a challenge. I made simple chocolate cupcakes topped with vanilla buttercream or chocolate frosting, then topped them with fondant flowers.
Now, I am not the type of person to casually whip up a batch of fondant. In fact, fondant – which is basically really, really stiff icing that can be rolled out or molded like plasticine – has always seemed out of reach for a kitchen novice like myself. It’s supposed to be difficult. Tempermental. But I have a two year old, I thought. I can work with that.
Now, if only I could master child-rearing in an evening.
We held the party at Little Nest, an awesome child-friendly cafe in our neighbourhood.
A good time was had by all.
Happy birthday, sweetheart.
Thanks, Naise, for the photos.
sooo sweet!
The toddler is into worms, but more into driving trucks through the garden.
So we’re working on that. :)
What a fantastic party idea! May have to copy you on this one! Thanks for sharing.
OMG…I don’t know which one is cuter, the cupcakes or your daughter! Well…ok your daughter but those cupcakes are pretty darn cute. And I simply love that you are getting all her friends off to a gardening start. The world needs more parents like you!
What fun! Those loot bags are so sweet! We are growing those same beans at our house this year. I’m very much looking forward to harvest!
Happy birthday to your little one!
Awesome party! And cute cupcakes. :)
That is too fun! My mom used to host bday parties for me like this. Love love love the goodie treats… going to have to steal that idea. happy bday lila
Oh my gosh! Your first fondant foray is fantastic. :) This is the most adorable birthday party I never went to… very nice job!
Great job! Too cute. :)
Happy Birthday Lila!
Thanks for all your delightful comments and birthday wishes!