For six months Buttercup has been talking about her birthday party. She has been planning the affair complete with streamers, balloons, cake, and presents.
Two weeks ago I sent out the invitations to her preschool class and cousin CurlyMop. I quickly racked my brain and decided on cheese pizza for lunch. I figured cupcakes afterwards would be easiest. I whipped up frosting in 4 different colors and set out tons of different candies. The kids could decorate cupcakes!
The night before Amanda arrived with CurlyMop and as the kids played, I baked the cupcakes. It seemed to take a little longer than normal. But, I didn't think anything about it. (nor did it occur to me that my chicken dinner had taken twice as long to cook - but I blamed it on frozen, thick chicken breasts)
The FIRST sign of trouble (which was actually the 3rd or 4th sign except the whole longer cooking times slipped right through my mind) was a phone call. One of Dave's co-workers is on vacation and Dave is listed as Emergency Contact for the paper mill. At 10:30pm the mill called in a panic. The companies chemical pump had quit working. So, the next morning Dave left the house at 4:45am promising to return by 11am party time. Did I mention the paper mill is located 2 hours away?
The Costume Party began at 11am minus Dave.
Three Princesses, one fairy, one Spiderman, one pirate, and one knight had a great time decorating their Goodie bags, and playing some games I came up with.
at 11:20am I turned on the Oven to preheat for the pizza. Dave arrived and the party moved outside for games. I told Dave to put the pizza in the oven.
The trouble began NOW! The oven never heated up to the temperature required to bake the pizza. It only reached 275°F/135°C as compared to 425°F/218°C.
Forty minutes later, the pizza came out the oven; the crust a bit floppy, yet cooked. (Frozen corndogs were in the microwave ready for cooking and I was sweating in a panic.) Dave had become ingenious and turned the oven to Broil, which heated the oven up quickly. The cheese browned nicely and the dough cooked.
One of the heating elements had gone out. The kids never noticed. The moms didn't seem to care but I did. It could not have picked a WORSE time to die.
The oven is old - I would LOVE to replace it with a brand-spankin' new gas one. Dave opened it up this morning and took a peek. Although I don't want to spend money on a new expensive appliance, a part of me was hoping the oven was a goner.
Nope - a lousy wire had come undone. Just one little wire. Dave simply re-wired it back on and now the oven is working again. (DAMMIT).
Okay - there was one REALLY great thing about the whole day. My sister, AMANDA!!! She was a lifesaver. Earlier in the week she wasn't going to spend the night. THANK THE HEAVENS she did - with Dave gone, Amanda helped me in the morning. We took turns holding the Caboose. She single-handedly turned our Family Room into a little girl's party, complete with the Streamers and Balloons that were so much wanted!
Even though that old Murphy's Law came to play, Buttercup enjoyed her day. And that is really all that mattered anyway.
Told you you had a wire loose!
Posted by: Johng. | September 28, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Sounds like a good time, and it all worked out! How nice to have the extra help!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Kila | September 28, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Im glad it turned out okay! And Im sure you will get that new oven one day!
Happy Birthday Buttercup! What a beautiful girl you are! Im glad you had such a lovely party!
Posted by: Karisma | September 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM
It sounds like everything came out really well. You are lucky to have a sister that could come and help out and make it a special day for Buttercup. I LOVE the idea of a costume party!
We are doing the birthday (6 year old) thing next week end. We are going to the defranchised Build a Bear and then a family party later. It is going to be great (I just keep telling myself that).
Posted by: Beckie | September 28, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I was SOOOOO happy to help, sis! Come on now - I got to hang out and rock that little Caboose!! He is so sweet, by the way. I'm so glad Princess Buttercup had a good time. For my beautiful niece's birthday party, I'd glad roll down a hill screaming, "AS YOOOOU WIIIIIISH!"
Love you guys. See you in a few day.
Posted by: Amanda | September 28, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Happy Birthday, Buttercup!!!
It sounds like, despite the tempermental overn, the day went well!! Thank goodness for sisters!!
PS .... next time, take the dang wire out completely ... then it can't be wired back in!
Posted by: Jenn FL | September 28, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Happy Birthday, Buttercup! You were the prettiest princess at the party!
Posted by: Sandy | September 28, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Way to go Aunt Amanda! So glad the party was a success.
(Oh, and sorry about the oven. *waaaa*
Posted by: Desert Songbird | September 28, 2008 at 05:48 PM
looks like we are both raising Libra's :)
Yours sounds as determined as mine..lol
Happy Birthday Buttercup!!!
I'm glad that you were able to fix your oven. I know secretly you wanted another but these days another expense is not what anyone needs.
It looks like it was a fun party despite it all...good on you mom!
Posted by: caroline | September 28, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Next time just cut the wire if you want a new stove!
The pictures are so cute. It looks like everyone had a good time.
Posted by: nikki | September 29, 2008 at 07:17 AM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who hopes my appliances will die so I can get new ones. Looks like a fun party!
I gave you an award last week - come on over and pick it up!
Posted by: Jana | September 29, 2008 at 07:28 AM