Eureka-Coca Cola Makes EVERYTHING better!

So, I was going to try to play it cool and not post blogs so close to each other. I was "supposed to be chill" and "give some time between each post." (That's the advice I got from several people.) But I was too excited to hold onto this one. I feel like it's a disservice to wait!!

Ok, here goes: everyone that knows me knows that I'm not the biggest fan of Chocolate Cake. I like it. I don't love it. I like some Chocolate Cake recipes more than others. I'm kind of a Chocolate Cake Snob. But, I LOVE THIS Chocolate Cake!! LOVE!! What did it take?

THIS:

I stumbled upon this blog last week. It was a recipe for Chocolate Coke Cake. I had never heard of it before but I had a total NEED to try it out. Coincidentally, I had a potluck to attend that same week. I had already planned to bring an appetizer, but then I thought, what better excuse to test this cake out? Omigosh!! Thank goodness I gave in to my need. Yummmm...

Here are the ingredients:



That's all. You probably have all of these in your home. (I was too anxious to make the cake that I forgot the blog protocol of taking photos as you go along. Oopsies.) Anyway, here's the recipe. 

I loved that it was rich, and sweet, and brownie-ish and cake-like all at the same time.  Anyway, I hope that you make time to try this recipe out. This recipe proves my theory correct: Coca Cola makes everything so much better!!

Zach's First Birthday Carnival Part III-The Festivities

So, I thought I'd show photos from the actual party with the actual birthday boy...

Here he is enjoying the Bounce House with his big brother!

And Plinko...

And The Ring Toss...

AND a photo op...

and now some random photos of the party...

And, a Carnival wouldn't be complete without a few Clowns...

I ordered a dozen Clown Noses from here and made sure to get some photos of everyone in attendance. Here are a few of the Clowns in our lives...

So, there it is. While the party wasn't exactly a simple gathering, it was a far cry from an episode of

TLC's "Outrageous Kids Parties." And, I know that Zach will not remember that day, but there are plenty of photos for me to share with him one day. I just hope that when he does re-live the memories, he can see how much everyone loves him and how they all came to celebrate his BIG Day!

I can't wait for the next party...

Zach's First Birthday Carnival Part II-Dessert Table

Contiuing on with Zach's party, I really wanted to be able to say that I made everything on the Dessert Table. Crazy, I know. Here's what it looked like:

 

I created my own decorated paper on Photoshop and then added the letters for the Birthday Penant, to make sure that all the colors of the party matched. I'm so Type A like that.

It's totally one of my worst faults...

This was my first experience working with fondant. Let's just say there was a DEFINITE front and back side to this cake. I orderd the Carousel from Wilton's here.

These cake pops were from the Bakerella Cake Pop Book.

Candied apples are a pain in the behind to make. Note to self: do not try to make when in a hurry...

 

I made Chocolate and White Chocolate Cupcakes. We are a house divided when it comes to that. My daughter and I aren't fans of chocolate cake. The husband and the boys, well, they are  different story...

I made these to add to the decoration on the Dessert Table and nobody drank any. Oopsies...

So, there she is. The Carnival Dessert Table. I was happy with the overall product. I think I would have added something fun on the wall, but I had way too much going on that week. Oh well.

 Something to remember for the next time.

Zach's First Birthday Carnival Part I

So, my youngest son turned one in August. He is our 8/9/10 baby. Last year, we purchased a house with a much larger backyard and really want to take advantage of the space.  So, an idea was born.

Actually, the idea was started from this:

I ordered it from here. 

Visions of cotton candy, peanuts, cracker jacks, hot dogs and carousels danced in my head for months!   We were blessed to have so many friends and family members come and share the afternoon with us.

 Here are a few images from Zach's party:

 This was posted at the front door to welcome guests.

 I made these Treat Bags and them filled with cotton candy, candy apples lollipops,

gummy hot dogs, bubbles and more!

As for decoration, I made the bunting out of inexpensive felt and cotton string.

On one of the windows, I created a Wall of Zach's First Year in photos.

We had sooooo much food, it was crazy! When I think Carnival, I think hot dogs and nachos, so I had to make sure that we had a Hot Dog/ Hamburger/Nacho Bar. We had all the fixings, including nacho cheese, jalapenos, chili, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and a special sign that had

 "Zach's Suggested Recipes."

At the drink station, we made sure to have plenty of Sharpie markers attached to a table frame, so that as people served their drinks, they can write their names on their cups. We were trying to be kind to the enviroment and to not have so much waste.

Then in the backyard...

We orderd a Carousel Bounce House and had a few Carnival Themed Games...