The Learning Academy Kids Birthday, Bangkok Thailand

Oh this girl!! How very, very loved she is! Not a day goes by that I don’t look back on some level at how far she’s come. Birthdays are a chance to remember. To celebrate. And to thank God for another year He’s strengthened and sustained her!

And party we did!!!

Evie had an intimate gathering of a few school friends and we met up at The Learning Academy for a cooking class. This was my kind of party because it meant I got to do the fun part for me (selecting cute aprons, collecting decorations, planning and organizing), and someone else did the kid-corraling when it was party time!! I assumed my favorite party-position…..behind the lens!

Brook and Sarah were phenomenal with the kids. So very patient and engaging. I loved that they really let the kids do the cooking….all of it. No micro-managing or prep already done. There was flour flying, giggles abounding, sugar sprinkles on the floor and busy, sticky fingers hard at work. Controlled chaos = so much fun!

And you know what I loved even more….that the mess was in their kitchen, not mine!! 🙂

Ive heard a lot of inquires lately about where to do kid parties around here in Bangkok as we’re often limited to indoor activities being that the weather is what it is. Moms, you must check out The Learning Academy!! In addition to birthday parties, they offer ongoing kids cooking classes and maid cooking classes as well!!

While our cupcakes and cookies baked, Sarah took the girls outside for a little Zumba dance-off and some pottery painting. Don’t think we could have possibly crammed more fun into our two hour party!!

Big-brother Tristan is a favorite among Evie’s friends. He’s got quite a little fan-club!

Sisters got in on the sweet-shop prep as well.

Sweet Success.

What’s not to love about cupcakes and sugar cookies before lunch time?!

Great start to the day!!

Our Crafty Christmas Cheat

Gingerbread houses this year were a far cry from a Martha Stewart edible village.

We tried that last year and ended up with a gingerbread slum with a caving roof and a cracked load bearing wall.

This was not the year for intricately designed two-story victorian structures.  No mixing and rolling and cutting and baking.  No holding walls together while gooey royal icing dries….(or doesn’t.)  No stress.  No fuss.  No nutritional value, but hey….it was fun!

I whipped out my trusty glue gun and an overpriced box of imported graham crackers and yes….I hot-glued together 6 mini houses.  Bam!  Nailed it!  Total cheat, but a fun afternoon with surprisingly rewarding results!

The aftermath

Its A Wrap!

Christmas wrapping, check!
No staying up until the wee hours on Christmas Eve for me!

Hosting a “wrapping party” has become somewhat of a yearly thing to do with my girlfriends.  An easy solution for a fun girls-night that isn’t just another “busy” holiday party on the December calendar for moms and friends who have their plates full and a list of things that need to get done.
Everyone brings an appetizer, dessert or a bottle of wine and unwrapped gifts, and we make a productive evening of it.

There may have been some cut-throat, competitive bow tying, and Im pretty sure we all felt a little intimidated by Catherine who has taken a “professional gift-wrap course” (I want to do that!! ), but a good time was had by all evidenced by the paper scraps and ribbon remnants I was cleaning up until midnight.

Thanks dear friends for a fun “Santa’s Workshop” evening!