Natalie had a birthday party over the weekend, and it was quite a lot of fun. She wanted to do a “late night”, so her friends came from 7-10 pm. We played an American Girl Mystery game, did a craft, ate some pizza, played some games, ate cake and ice cream, and broke a pinata. I almost forgot about the pinata, however. I bought it about a month ago when I bought one for John’s birthday. I had stashed this one away and then forgot about it. One of Natalie’s friends said, “Do you really have a shoe pinata?” Oh Good Heavens, I do! I had to find some candy and have Ryan stuff the thing while we played a game (luckily I HAD some candy) and then the girls had a great time whacking the heck out of it.
Here’s the cake, which I made myself.
Here’s John painting the craft.
And Natalie and friends painting. 
She was thrilled to receive TWO Webkinz! for her birthday!
and even John and Dad had fun. 
And Natalie enjoyed trying on her large SHOE. 
and then hitting it until it gave up the candy stash it was so cleverly hiding!
I hope it was a WONDERFUL 9th birthday for you, Natalie. You are my sweet drama queen and I can’t imagine life without you in our family!
That cake is awesome! Where did you find that idea??
cool cake
and looks like everyone had heaps of fun
Happy Birthday to Natalie
Family Fun.
Paige: Awesome cake man. What did you use to make the heads? When Samantha turned 10 we had an American Girl birthday party and we did the mystery game too. It was the funnest birthday party we ever had! We had dinner on nice china and the girls all dressed up. So fun!
Um, Thanks, RYAN, for answering my questions for me. The cake is from Family Fun, where all great party ideas originate. The heads are ‘nilla wafers on the smashed marshmallow pillows. You can find the instructions here: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/family/feature/famf58cakes/famf58cakes12.html
Happy Birthday Natalie! It looks like it was a lot of fun. And Paige…I am hoping you didn’t go out and buy new candy…considering a Pinata would be the perfect way to get rid of all that surplus candy in the pantry…just in time for Halloween! 😀
Did you eat a piece of that glutenious cake?? I’ve thrown out all regular flour in our home. Rice flour just isn’t the same is it??? Too bad
Happy 9th Birthday to Natalie! I love the cake you made for her. Very creative! 🙂
I love the cake too – Happy birthday Natalie!
That cake is so so cute. On October 3rd I was driving and thinking, “It’s someone’s birthday now or really soon in the Erickson family, I’m just not sure whose it is.” Isn’t it Ryan’s really soon too? Happy Birthday Natalie!
Well, I just got around to reading this, and I loved the cake. Sounds like a good book to use. Wish I’d had it when you were growing up. The party sounds like lots of fun.