Jenna's 10th Birthday

 Jenna has developed an infinity for both cooking/baking and cooking/baking shows, so when planning her birthday we knew her theme needed to follow suit.

And that is when we learned the fun of cupcake wars! We started playing it at home to practice for her big day! 

Here is her invites

To have a competition you need judges and judging sheets!

 Jenna picked her dad, because well he is her favorite person. Her grandpa Scott, because she says he is the most honest no matter peoples feeling. And her Aunt Eva, because she likes snacks more than anyone she knows. 

We gathered ingredients for our pantry

And decorations for the kids to decorate their cupcake tray before presenting to the judges

I got small Tupperware from the dollar store so each child could take one of the cupcakes they made home 

And we put thank you notes on candy sticks for favors

 There was a winner for best taste, most creative, and best over all, so we got some prizes for the kids to choose from.

As the kids were cooking we had them put dirty tools in to a bucket of soapy water to help with the clean up after the party.

We wanted the kids to be able to freely get a drink while baking and consuming their weight in snacks. 

We ended up having enough kids RSVP that we made 4 teams, Blue, Red, Pink, and Turquoise.

They all got a apron, and a name tag.

 My mom and friend Jill who are both great bakers were their to help the kids with their cupcakes if needed... and it was needed ;)

When the trimmer went off between round 1 (get cupcakes in pan), round 2 (decorate cooled cupcakes), and 3 (get cupcakes ready to present) they all had to put their hands in the air!

 Between rounds they played in the back yard (thank you Jesus for a warm fall)

James as always was spoiled, and got a nice sugar high ;)

While the cupcakes cooled, our birthday girl got to open her gifts!

Once they cupcakes were ready our football watching judges were ready

Each team presented, and the judges tasted. 

While the judges deliberated Jenna got to blow our her candles, and everyone got to try the cupcakes.

After Prizes were handed out the kids played until their parents picked them up! 

It was probably the most work and the most fun I have ever seen at a birthday party, and I throw a lot of birthday parties for my kids :)

Cupcake Wars and A Relaxing Labor Day Weekend

I hope all of my friends and family had a good Labor Day weekend! Ours was super sweet ;)

Michael and I decided that we wanted a do nothing weekend, and it was exactly what we needed!

Saturday morning we took James's 2 year Chair Pictures 

(Link to pictures here)

Then we hit the gym and picked up Mike's new car

After that we had a surprise for our girl!

We took a walk (which is the kid's favorite way to spend family time) to the local grocery store.

Do you see those birds we found on our walk home?!?! 

While James and I picked out dinner Mike and Jenna picked out everything they thought they would need to have our very 1st Family Cupcake Wars!

The Theme was Me... Like Me, Jacqui Reece, Mom, wife, lover of all things sweet! 

While Mike and Jenna made their cupcakes I made dinner "cupcakes"

I call them Steak Fajita ala guacamole cup 

We had dinner while their creations baked

then James and I cuddled with Buzz during the "decoration time" 

Once their time was up it was time for my favorite part

Tasting

Jenna made me chocolate pumpkin cupcakes 

with a chocolate chip crust

And Mike made me pumpkin pie cupcakeswith cream cheese filling

They were pretty and yummy

Though Mike's flowers were very pretty Jenna took the win with the chocolate crust!!

They agreed! 

And Jenna was excited to bring the left overs to her church friends for Sunday school!

Sunday we tried out the new Lions Park (Super Cute)

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Then we went home and the kids played outside while Mike and I spent some alone time, and watched them from the couch 

 Then we had family movie night and foot rubs :)

Monday we took the Labor thing seriously, and started in on our side yard project!

Nothing wrong with a little slave labor right?

James was so freaked out that Jenna was holding a worm ;)

Site supervisor right here ;)

 Oh and that guy right there is Bill he just started helping when he saw Mike working! 

Then another neighbor Lisa showed up with veggies for all of us, and all the kids started playing

I LOVE THIS HOUSE MORE, BECAUSE OF THE NEIGHBORS WE HAVE!

I feel so refreshed and more in love with my husband, kids, and home than ever!

I love times like this when there is nothing you have to be doing just having fun with no one around!