A picture worth a thousand words. These little ladies have become the best of friends in the last year.
Mom has always loved to make a favorite cake or dinner for each birthday child, and Anna's birthday was no exception.
Anna LOVES animals, especially dogs, and when Mom asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said "A doggie cake." So the search began for the perfect doggie cake, which was never found. As a replacement we made this adorable (and delicious) barnyard scene. We had a blast making each cupcake, and the children especially enjoyed sneaking marshmallows, chocolate chips and gum drops off of animal faces while Mom wasn't looking. (Notice this sheep's wool is rather sparse on his left side ;-))
Anna LOVES animals, especially dogs, and when Mom asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said "A doggie cake." So the search began for the perfect doggie cake, which was never found. As a replacement we made this adorable (and delicious) barnyard scene. We had a blast making each cupcake, and the children especially enjoyed sneaking marshmallows, chocolate chips and gum drops off of animal faces while Mom wasn't looking. (Notice this sheep's wool is rather sparse on his left side ;-))
Sheep: marshmallow wool, white gumdrop ears, chocolate chip eyes, red hot nose.
Pigs: dollop of pink extra pink frosting and side ways red hot noses, chocolate eyes, fruit-roll-up triangle piece ears. Chicks: Coconut dyed yellow feathers, orange gum drop nose, chocolate eyes.
Pigs: dollop of pink extra pink frosting and side ways red hot noses, chocolate eyes, fruit-roll-up triangle piece ears. Chicks: Coconut dyed yellow feathers, orange gum drop nose, chocolate eyes.
And the much-loved doggie cup cakes (our compromise): brown sugar butter cream frosting (don't ask), cornflake ears, malt-ball noses and chocolate chip eyes.
The kitchen was a MESS. But nearly everyone helped and we had a lot of fun.
I'm late with these pictures. Her real birthday is March 6th.
She managed perfectly well all on her own. :)
Habitual nail-biter.
A larger-than-life doggie to make up for the cake. :) She accidentally saw this several days before her birthday in the back of the suburban, and cried and cried and cried when Daddy said she couldn't have it. She was so excited to finally get it, that she wrapped her little arms around his neck and squeeeeezed.
The fluffy dog-in-a-purse from Uncle Joe, Aunt Kristin and our cousins was a favorite too.
So, she's three now, though she still says she's two. And she's growing into quite a pretty little girl. Besides animals, she also loves babies and her blankets. Rarely will she leave the house without some animal or dolly tucked under her arm. A smile is almost always on her face-- though she is rather strong-willed, and certainly has her grumpy days. She still lets us pick out her clothes most mornings, but refuses to allow anyone to even help her brush her teeth.
She has a sweet melodious voice that never sings the right tune-- her favorites are "You are My Sunshine" "This is the Day" and anything her little mind can think up right on the spot.
Happy Birthday Anna Sophia!
