Birthday Party Prep - part 1

I have been running around like crazy the past few days getting all the different things for this seemingly simple party. Somehow, even with spreading out the tasks over several days, I was still up past 1:00 a.m. wrapping gifts and baking cupcakes the night before!

Last night I gathered all the things I had bought on the kitchen counter. Plates, cups and napkins? Check. Blowers? Check. Eyeliner for the whiskers? Check. Tiara? Check. I peeked in the fridge and saw the bagels, meats and cheeses, strawberry cream cheese, watermelon and condiments.

Then I got to baking the cupcakes. It reminded me of when I was frosting her doggie cake last year when she was turning two. Seriously, how is she turning three already?! The year went by so quickly!!

This year I made cupcakes and slowly the Hello Kitty cupcakes started to take shape. While they were baking I sorted the jellybeans (yellow for the nose and red for the bow) and cut the licorice whiskers and eyes.

While they were cooling, I wrapped her gifts (a cool bubble blower, some light up jelly's, a new berry Chapstick and some purple polka dotted sunglasses) and then I assembled the cupcakes.

And fell into bed way after midnight.

The next morning I painted her nails,

ironed her outfit,

and let her watch some TV
while we waited for her toes to dry. Then I sent her next door to play with her neighbor while I decorated the yard.
Part 2 -- Coming up: The Birthday Party