Once the girls at Mary Ashley's birthday party donned aprons and chef hats, it was time to get busy in the kitchen. I filled a bowl with a variety of cupcake wrappers and encouraged the girls to line our muffin tins with their favorites. Then it was time for more hands-on fun.
Part of the fun of this party was letting the girls take an active roll in the baking. Family friend Haley Scott brought her pretty pistachio Kitchenaid stand mixer
, and the two of us set up baking stations at opposite ends of the kitchen counter.
The girls divided into two groups to help us make four kinds of cupcakes: vanilla, lemon, strawberry and chocolate.
We used Duncan Hines cake mixes for the party, and the girls took turns adding ingredients.
Yes, even our vegetable oil got dressed up for the party!
Batter up! Little Gracie takes a turn at the mixer.
Sweet Emma Cate fills muffin cups.
Little Lizzie came to me at one point -- her brow furrowed with worry -- to confess, "Missy Melissy, my apron got dirty." She was so relieved when I told her that the apron was to keep spills from staining her pretty dress.
Mary Ashley discovers one of the perks of baking.
And shares the idea with her friends!
What could be sweeter than licking batter off your finger?
Licking it right out of a measuring cup!
While the cupcakes baked, Mary Ashley opened her birthday presents.
Stop in tomorrow to unwrap gift ideas perfect for the little bakers in your life.
Photos used with permission of Allison Hilyer Photography
