Party, Party, Party!

This past Saturday we had Sig's second birthday party.  He didn't actually turn two until the 27th, but since his birthday was falling so stinking close to Easter, I had the brilliant idea of hosting an Easter egg hunt for his party.  And to add another layer to the party extravaganza, I also prepared a brunch for everyone to partake in.  So, at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, I had seven children aged 4 and under and their parents descend upon my house to feast their way through Easter goodies. 

We had Egg, Sausage, Red Pepper, and Fontina strata, Italian Easter Bread (with homemade candied orange peel because, yes, I am that crazy), fresh fruit, homemade pop tarts (basically pie crust filled with strawberry jam), homemade granola, yogurt, juice and coffee.   My parents got Sig a sand table for his birthday which was the hit of the party.  The weather was so nice that we ate carrot cake cupcakes outside after the egg hunt.  Each kiddo got to go home with a felt bunny Easter basket filled with a coloring book, crayons, and bubbles (thank you Target $1 bins).  All in all, it was a fun morning even though I was exhausted until Monday.

Sunday was Easter and my birthday.  The first and only time this will probably happen in my lifetime.  My dad looked up when Easter would again fall on the 24th, and he said it wouldn't happen again until 2095 when I would be 116 years old.  Longevity does run in my family, but I doubt I'll see 116.  We skedadled down to my parents' house after church for dinner with my family and in-laws.  I was still on overload from the day before and wasn't feeling all that social.  Thank goodness for having to nurse babies!  Best excuse to leave any social gathering and hide out in a bedroom.  I did have a zen experience while preparing the frosting for my birthday cake (look at the pretty swirling egg whites get all glossy and stiff, listen to the whir of the beaters, happy sugar, happy Kristin) and was in a much better mood when opening my presents.  I got two cookbooks, "The Country Cooking of France" and "Charcuterie" which is less of a cookbook and more of a manual on how to prepare meats for storage (confit, sausage, hams, etc.)  I can't wait to get cooking!