Instead of a cake Liam wanted fruit on sticks with sparklers...I contemplated going to Edible Arrangements and getting something.
This is about the size I needed, it's their Melon Delight arrangement and runs $168...more than I paid for our wedding cake! Not really an option so I loaded up on local fruit and tried my own.
I decided not to look anymore at the web page as I knew I wouldn't be able to replicate this that well...we also had surprise company for lunch so my time was limited.
I started by making the fruit kabobs...
I decided to make watermelon balls then use the empty rind as the base to stick my skewers in.
It was very slow going at first. I randomly poked in skewers here and there...the pineapple and melon hunks helped to fill it in as it was taking forever with berries and grapes.
It was hard to get the cookie cutters to cut through pineapple and melon so I just did a few at the top. Then just before serving I added the sparklers and the marshmallow puffs rolled in toasted coconut (Life Brand from Shopper's Drug Mart...they rock) As it was stinking hot I didn't attempt to incorporate any chocolate into the arrangement, it would have been a disaster as the arrangement his under the table cloth for over two hours outside before we ate it.
Now when the sparklers were all lit it was rather exciting...the kids were freaking out. Watching Liam try to blow them out became a major show. The only problem is the sparklers let off tiny bits of ash which stuck to the fruit in parts. It was worth it for the wow factor for a kiddo fest but I would skip it for an adults affair...or maybe just use one.
Best part, since it's summer and fruit is cheap the whole things with marshmallows, sparklers and all was under $30 to create. It took just as long as a made from scratch cake creation but it was a great end to a very hot party.
It was a skateboard park that my sweetie picked. Here he is riding his new deck with his best buddy Jadyn by his side...how cute are they together?
The kids made friendship necklaces, had a water balloon fight, played with beach balls and rode in the skate park. We ordered in sushi and had simple raw veggies for them to eat for dinner. It was easy except for the sweltering sun...I am not a fan of sweating and there was no shade to be found except the sun shelter we brought. The kids didn't seem to mind though but we did go through 36 fruitopias for 8 kiddos!
Little Ryan decided he needed to wrap himself up for a little surprise gift...
Thanks to all our friends & family who helped make Liam's celebration special. He was beaming today saying how he had the best time ever and he's thrilled with all his birthday presents. His actual day is tomorrow but hubbie's working so it's going to be a quiet day.
oxo
wow kerri, that's gorgeous! The kids must have loved it... ps. I think yours looks way better :)
Posted by: janet | August 07, 2010 at 08:53 PM