Anyway, between that and various birthday celebrations I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed. I wanted to do a post with the cake pictures, but as you can see below, some of them needed editing due to bad lighting and I just haven't had time to mess with it. But...the chickpea had a lot of cake during her birthday week and as you can see she quite liked it. In the fourth picture she's actually holding the entire piece of cake we gave her. Ha! I love the third picture with her little tongue reaching for the frosting.
We only celebrated with various family dinners but all of the celebrations were wonderful and I'd say that Elle had a great birthday.
The best present? My sister who lives in San Francisco recently learned to play the saxophone (she played clarinet in high school) and sent Elle a little birthday video. The first song is a rendition of Happy Birthday some of you might recognize. The second is the Chickpea Banana theme song (yes, she has her own theme song...Chickpea Banana, Chickpea Banana, Chickpea Banana Girl x2). And the third is Hallelujah.
With special permission from Kim:
And in other news, I've kicked off my Pin it and Do it Challenge!! (If you missed the starting line/link up, I posted it on Tuesday)
My first project was Elle's birthday cake. The cake itself was kind of a disaster, and even the frosting was a disaster, but the icing method worked great and would work even better if I used a stiffer frosting rather than the melty cream cheese frosting. I actually had to scrape the sides clean because the poor flowers kept sliding off. Ha! Original Pin Here. Original Tutorial from I Am Baker.
Second I'm doing the Photo A Day by Fat Mum Slim. Think I might post these weekly on Wednesdays but not sure yet.
Day 1 Peace: (yes I did sneak into her room at 11 pm to snap this shot! Daredevil mom!)
With some Picasa editing:
Day 2 - Skyline:
And third I'm starting a daily notecard journal but haven't taken any pictures yet. Original Pin. Based on Design Sponge.
FINALLY. I wanted to thank you all for your very very very sweet comments on Elle's birthday post. I'm still hoping to maybe email a few responses since I wasn't able to respond here on the blog, but please know (as always) that I always appreciate your comments and they mean so so much to me.
ALRIGHT! Let's get this day started! Can YOU believe it's Thursday?!
She looks EXACTLY like you in that fourth picture. Adorable.
ReplyDeleteAnd that cake looks gorgeous! I know when I made homemade strawberry cake a couple years ago, my kitchen looked like a cartoon. Flour everywhere. Icing all over my arms and in my hair. It was crazy. Lots of work, but it was good. That icing method is so so pretty. I need to learn.
That cake looks fantastic. Much better than the birthday cake I made for Monkey last month. I adore your pictures. I've always wanted to participate in one of those photo a day challenges but have never gotten around to doing it.
ReplyDeleteOH my gosh, she is so cute. If I lived closer, I'd babysit, for free! No kidding.
ReplyDeleteI've had a crazy week too but didn't have a big adjustment like y'all did. It is stressful but it will be fine, I promise. I love the photos of the little one and the cake and your sister's video is awesome - your sister looks a lot like you.
ReplyDeleteTrish, have I told you how very much I love your posts? Yes, all of them. Little mother, you are just awesome. I know that switching the babysitter is tough. I still remember it. She'll settle down though and things will smooth out. The pictures are precious indeed. She had a lot of birthday cakes didn't she? The video was great and I was singing along. The cake-my word, what a cake!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for letting us share your world. We are all the better for it and I think that little Miss Chickpea Banana is the cure for any kind of depression. Seriously. Hugs galore!!!
No. I canNOT believe it's Thursday. All weeks go by too fast. The cake looks awesome despite the melty frosting! Beautiful pictures. Beautiful baby. I'm jealous of your baby time. I think I've said it before. Big kids are not as much fun... just sayin. (Well, okay, sometimes they are... sometimes!) Love the photo a day thing, but I wish I could do it in June. Will there be another?
ReplyDeleteAhhh, such sweet pictures. Happy Birthday, Ella. The cake looks great. :)
ReplyDelete*Picky - It was really tough to find a strawberry cake recipe from scratch! And I had to make it twice--the second time I baked 20 minutes longer than recipe called for. And the icing was really easy if you have the correct tip--and don't have melty icing that you have to stick in the fridge after each flower. Ha!
ReplyDelete*Teresa - Not too late to join the photo a day group!! I took two pictures yesterday and bet that won't be the only time that happens. :)
*Nan - Hmmm...maybe we'll consider coming up to your neck of the woods. ;)
*Bermuda - It's rather scary how much my sisters, me, and my mom all look AND sound a like! And thanks--I know that we'll all adjust but it does make me a bit sad to know she's having a tough time.
*Kay - Oh Kay. Thank you so much for your very sweet comment--it made me cry a little bit. Thank YOU for sharing with me. I truly am spoiled by you guys. Hugs back to you.
*Suey - I mean seriously--and tomorrow is Friday?! How?! And I know that there will be good parts in all of the years to come but I already miss the baby baby times. Means I'll just need to have another soon. ;) And I bet there will be a June photo a day! Think there's been one every month.
*Mari - Oh, thank you. :) And the cake tasted pretty good in spite of the melty frosting. At least I didn't hear any complaints!
Looooove those pics! She's so cute sticking her tongue out to get that frosting. Baby hilarity!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so cute with her birthday cake! And the "peace" photo really made may day.
ReplyDeleteLOL--has Elle come down from her sugar high yet? :D She is so goshdarnstinkin'adorable!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Trish--you shouldn't have told us the cake was a disaster. We never would have known, 'cause in your photo it's truly gorgeously amazing!!! I couldn't make a cake that pretty if I spend the rest of my trying!
Oh, wow, so much to comment on. The cake looks gorgeous. I would never have dreamed you'd think it a disaster! Love all the photos! Your sister is awesome and so cute. Sorry I have just now gotten to your blog and will go read your 1-year-birthday post. I had a couple very bad weeks. I'm amazed I've even managed to post on my blog, but things are looking up. It's nice to do some Trish and Chickpea catch-up. :)
ReplyDeleteYour birthday girl looks like she's enjoying the cake, and it does look good, more than delicious. Happy Birthday to her, boy time flies. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteAwww....she looks so cute and sweet in all the pictures! Like you, I love the third pic of her the most!
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks great to me, Trish! I don't think it's a disaster at all, and in fact I love the roses design. So beautiful!
So love all of these photos. Looks like it was a wonderful 1st birthday in every way.
ReplyDeleteThat little tongue picture is too freaking cute! And the cake looks delicious. You should move closer to me.... :)
ReplyDeleteHow many cakes did Elle have for her birthday? Looks like 3 different ones? I LOVE the rose cake--you did a beautiful job with it! (I also made a homemade strawberry cake for Emily'ys first birthday...well, cupcakes, and they weren't nearly as professional looking as your cake). Elle is SO adorable, and the tongue picture is incredibly cute. The "peace" picture is heart-wrentchingly sweet too. I hope the daycare switch gets better soon for everyone--I'm sure that's not an easy adjustment for you guys.
ReplyDeleteOh that little girl certainly did learn that she loves cake! Love, love, love the Chickpea Banana theme song - what a great aunt Elle has!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a lot of projects on the go when you see it like that... As you know I am enjoying my calendar. As the cards look lost in the box, I have started writing a bit more on the cards. I won't mind having to get extra ones down the road so the box has more in it. I am downloading Picasa at the moment. I have Instagram on my phone so I am all for more editing type toys. I enjoyed both of your pictures and look forward to the rest of the month!
ReplyDelete*Andi - It's not a complete day if we can't laugh at the babe, huh? ;)
ReplyDelete*Larissa - Thank you for visiting and the comment. I love that "peace" photo as well...
*Debi - The cake tasted GREAT but it was my second attempt and it was just so dang dense. Like a brick. It was surprisingly difficult to find a strawberry cake recipe completely from scratch!!
*Bookfool - I think I should have clarified about the cake. It was very tasty (and pretty) but it was very heavy and dense. I made it from scratch and so it just wasn't as light as the boxed variety. And I hope that this coming week is better for you Nancy. Hugs and take care. :)
*Irene - Ha! yes, the babe had no problems devouring her birthday goodness! And you're right about time--it goes entirely too quickly.
*Melody - With all the troubles, the rose design turned out fairly well but the frosting was too soft to make it look as pretty as the original. Might attempt again with some stiffer butter cream frosting--would look great on cupcakes!
*Diane - I've been thinking about you! Has that grandbaby of yours arrived yet?!
*Trisha - LOL!! Yes, I love how that tongue comes out to get a taste of EVERYTHING. And Chicago is cold. Move to Dallas!! ;)
*Laura - Yes--three celebrations. We had one cake at my dad's (she had her own, which is why so messy) and then a baby bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and then the strawberry cake that I made. Think it's the most sugar she's had in her entire life!! I'll be emailing you about the homemade strawberry cake as mine was WAY too dense. And I'm happy the "peace" picture turned out--I snuck into her room and just hoped that I could get an in focus picture with the flash knowing that I only had one chance. ;)
*Lisa - LOL! Yes, she was timid at first but think she gets the idea of sugar now. ;) And that Chickpea Banana song will get stuck in your head if you're not careful!!
*Kailana - Ha! Yes, lots of daily projects. Plus the Operation Springform project that I need to start working on (which will hopefully use up some pins). I hope you like Picasa. I've started using it more and more to touch up pictures here and there. PicMonkey is also fun.
That video is about the best ever birthday present, LOVE. Your baby is so adorable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun video your sister made. And I recognize that birthday song. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI hope everything works out with the daycare. It's so tough watching your children have to make adjustments like that. When my daughter started preschool she cried everyday when I left and would cry when I picked her up. Her teachers said that she was perfectly happy when I was gone. It took a few weeks, but she loves it now. My boys never had that problem. Some wee ones just have a tougher time with change.
That picture of her sleeping is so precious! Glad she had wonderful birthday celebrations!
*Lisa - Kim is the best--was so fun to watch it with Elle!
ReplyDelete*Kristi - I knew a few of you would recognize the song. ;) I still get the primary welcome song stuck in my head from time to time. "hello, hello, hello, hello, we welcome you today (hello)." Ha! The end of the week went much more smoothly than the first half and even though Elle is EXHAUSTED when she comes home, she seems happy. Maybe she's just happy to see us, but I'll take it. ;) Funny how with some kids its easier than others!
Ahhhh!! I love all the cake pictures! She is just so precious, what a doll! Hoping everything calms down and works out with daycare for you all!
ReplyDeleteOh, Trish ... you're so amazing to keep up with work and baby and Pinterest and blogging and everything. Deep breath. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that the daycare situation is getter better for Elle. That must make it easier for you.
ReplyDeleteI had one of those weeks as well. I couldn't figure out where the week had gone to. I love the picture of Elle sleeping...sleeping babies are the best! Priceless...
ReplyDeleteElle could totally be a model - she is so beautiful! (like her mom) :--) Even covered with food she is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of cake! :-) Great photos, glad you all had a good celebration!
ReplyDeleteJust dropping by to say that pink cake looked so great that I *dreamed* about it. Seriously. I woke up craving pink cake. I don't know what flavor it is, but my dream cake tasted like raspberry.
ReplyDeleteShe is just so precious! Looks like she had a wonderful birthday celebration. Hope you are doing great, Trish!
ReplyDeleteShe just keeps getting cuter and cuter. The cake is gorgeous, and really, aren't looks the most important thing? ;) Can't believe she's one already. Gage is 6 months ahead of her and in the beginning of the tantrum stage. Prepare yourself sister, it ain't pretty.
ReplyDelete*Melissa - Daycare is certainly no fun. You're lucky to stay home with Laura. Hoping things are going well for you!
ReplyDelete*Kristen M. - LOL--trust me there are a LOT of things that don't get done around my house--like sweeping up dog hair. ;) I keep thinking about doing a "what you don't see" post but the thought just depresses me. Ha!
*Kristi - I dropped Elle off today and she just whined a little when I handed her over. She'll adjust. We all will.
*samantha - Sleeping babies ARE the best, huh? Though laughing babies are pretty awesome, too. ;) Hope this week is going great for you so far!
*rhapsodyinbooks - Ooooh, thank you Jill. :)
*joanna - LOL--yes, we've been eating way too many sweets lately. ;)
*Bookfool - It cake is strawberry--made with real strawberries. But raspberry cake would be really yummy, too!!! Hmmmm, now you have me craving raspberry cake. Ha!
*Iliana - Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're doing well Iliana!
*Stacybuckeye - TANTRUM?! I'm not ready for that!!! Hugs to you!
:-> I'm flattered that you and your friends like the saxophone video :-> I'm getting much better now, and am taking recommendations! Couldn't play Hallelujah on the piano as requested, but sax is a little easier :)
ReplyDeleteLove you so much, and love these pictures! The cake looks amazing. melting frosting reminds me of Sleeping Beauty when the fairies were making the cake :)
lovelovelove
Yikes, I've had a bit going on and haven't been doing much blog reading and as I can see I'm missing a whole bunch of huge things like Elle's first birthday (will be going to find that post). I love the pictures especially that first one enjoying that cake. She looks like a very happy little girl. You made an amazing cake Trish - it was gorgeous! Happy late Birthday to Elle. Give her a birthday hug for me.
ReplyDeletemmmm...cake. Will Elle do sharesies? Doesn't look like it though. Sorry your cake didn't quite cooperate, but I think it looks cute and probably tastes good too!
ReplyDeletePass along my compliments to your sister.
Lovely pics! And that cake looks amazing, they really look like roses and nobody would have guessed they were trying to escape if you didn't tell us!
ReplyDeleteFirst things first... what a great video!! I love all the songs your sister played, most especially "Hallelujah." It's my all-time favorite song and my nephew recorded a video of himself, playing it on the piano, for my birthday a couple of years ago. Talk about tugging at my heartstrings. If you missed it on my blog, let me know and I'll send you the link. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteBut back to your precious ONE-YEAR-OLD! :)The pictures. Oh, my. What a cutie! She looks like she was really enjoying her cake. Good girl! :)
As far as the daycare/babysitting, I'd have to arm-wrestle Nan for the free babysitting privilege. ;) Yet another reason for me to head down to Dallas!
And, I agree with Kay. I love your blog posts. You are such a vibrant young woman and your happiness and enthusiasm makes me smile (and wish for your energy). As Kay said, we are better for being a part of your world. Thank you, dear friend. And apologies for being so late with my comments. I read your blog on my iPad (at work), but need a full-size keyboard for these ridiculously long comments. And, of course, once I get home, I'm too busy to get back to my computer for more than a few minutes. Gotta squeeze in some reading time somewhere, ya know?!
You can't believe it is Thursday? I can't believe it is pretty much June! How the hell did that happen?!?! Life moves along so quickey, I can barely keep afloat sometimes. All the pics of Elle are so darling. She is really a pretty baby. I can't even say baby anymore can I? She is a beautiful little girl.
ReplyDeleteI think that the cake looks gorgeous! Good job! I think you deserve the Mother of the Year award.