Quixotic, is quite possibly, my favorite word in the English language. It has a "Q," and an "X" and ever since I was able to assemble it on a Scrabble board with someone else's "C" I have been a fan. Aside from all that, it is the word that best describes my way of celebrating birthdays. You (and I) never really know what kind of fun I will come up with. Special K thinks it's a little crazy, the lengths I go to to celebrate a birthday, but I disagree. I think birthdays should be celebrated with great fervor. Sometimes it takes a little work to celebrate just the way you want. But who says work can't be fun?
After seeing this great birthday banner that Rae put together, I knew I had to make one for Little Sir and the celebration of his second birthday.
I saw all sorts of potential for the banner and using the distribution of letters from Scrabble as my guide, I made a whole bunch of letters (see first photo). Should I ever have the opportunity to meet and throw a party for a Quincy, Xavier or Zarathustra (you never know), I totally can. And I can do it in a very colorful way.
It was easy (albeit a bit time consuming, because I did 64 letters--plus one exclamationa point-- you don't have to do that many, but you totally could) but it was fun, and really I will take advantage of any excuse to whip out the hot glue gun (but with this project, I found cutting the letters out by free-hand to be kind of the best part). I cut out sets of felt circles in 3.5" and 3.75" glued them together with a folded ribbon in the middle. And, like Rae, I used ric rac for suspension. And because I wanted to go crazy with color, I used 14 colors of felt (I left a lot of colors at the store, so I think I showed some restraint here). That's a ton of fun for very little moolah. You should make a banner too, you will be glad you did.
And I do have to apologize, if you came here looking for pie today. I gave myself on out this week, or rather, it was a bye week for pie. Because for birthdays, most people (especially if I am involved in the equation) get cake. Little Sir is sort of a minimalist when it comes to desserts (sadly). He usually opts for plain fresh fruit but he knows how to celebrate right and asked for a "banilla" cake with "banilla" frosting.
And how fabulous is my new cake stand?!
For me this meant a classic white cake (best white cake recipe I have made to date) with buttercream frosting (the kid and I just made the frosting up as we went along).
Because he was helping me make the frosting I have no idea how much confectioner's sugar he scooped into the bowl, so I added butter, heavy cream and vanilla until it tasted good and looked spreadable.
His enthusiasm for fire is not just a little concerning.
A little imprecise, but it was fun and tasty, so whatever.
I also wanted to make a quilt for the kid's birthday, but sometimes you have to cut your losses (so much for quixoticism).
It became apparent to me that I would not finish this quilt in time, so I am saving it for the weekend (because it's just an excuse to drag the celebration out even more, in my opinion--yay for being quixotic!).
So yes, it was a lot of work, but really when your kid thanks you with kisses, it's totally worth it.
nothing's better than kid kisses!! yea! that banner is fabulous and omg, i want some cake now... it's so close in the pic i can almost brush a finger on that icing ;-) love it!
Posted by: margaux | March 26, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Happy birthday, Lil Sir!
Cute banner, Mamma!
Posted by: lola | March 26, 2008 at 12:37 PM
He's two already?! Happy Birthday Little Sir!
Posted by: margene | March 26, 2008 at 12:44 PM
You totally win the prize for using quixotic more times in a blog post than anyone else! Congrats :)
BTW, Little Sir is too cute!
Posted by: Risa | March 26, 2008 at 12:48 PM
sooo cute! Happy Birthday Little Sir!!! Love the banner and that cake looks dellllicious! I'm a banilla girl too :)
Posted by: Kelly | March 26, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Totally fun banner! We just celebrated my son's 2nd birthday too! Happy birthday to your little one. I'm new to your blog, but I can see it's a good one. I might even try my hand at a pie one of these days. I know I like to eat it afterall...
Posted by: Paige | March 26, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Happy birthday to Little Sir. Boys do have a fascination with fire and pointy sticks. Go figure. The cake looks yummy! The banner is wonderfu. Lucky guy:)
Posted by: Barb | March 26, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Great pics - what a fun birthday! That one of him with the candles burning... yeah, he's got a little bit of mischief coming, right?
Posted by: ann | March 26, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I'm feeling seriously like a slack Mom, celebrating their birthdays for one measly day, and without handmade banners either. But I did make their cakes, especially once my daughter told me that buying cakes from the grocery store was sort of the lazy way out. Meet the monster I've created.
PS-- LS just keeps getting cuter. Will I see him again at MDSW?
Posted by: Liz K. | March 26, 2008 at 04:01 PM
Happy birthday gorgeous boy. x
Posted by: Nora | March 26, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Well, I'll be the first to admit that I had to look up quixotic, though the blog gave several hints.
I can't wait to see Mr. Adorable next month!! Happy Birthday LS!! (Oh, and my birthday is in May but I don't mind starting the celebration in April :~P)
Posted by: kathy | March 26, 2008 at 05:53 PM
See, that is why I love reading your blog, because you use words like quixotic and sisyphean!
Those letters are so much fun. We might need a set here. I'll have to put my girls on it.
Happy birthday adorable boy!
Posted by: Kirsten | March 26, 2008 at 06:06 PM
I'm not that particular. Cake, pie, tarts. Sweets be sweets to a woman in stress. Another quilt that has a great color combination going on--can't wait to see it finished!
Posted by: Rachel | March 26, 2008 at 07:32 PM
nova, everything looks so good! happy birthday to your little man! he looks so sweet!
Posted by: katie | March 26, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Happy Birthday Little Sir! I am with you 100% about celebrating birthdays Big Time. Your banner came out great! Love it and will certainly keep it in mind for the big "1" coming up in June.
Kisses are the best. Soak them up. To my great dismay there really does seem to be a time when little boys don't give them as freely anymore.
That Little Sir...he is such a cutie!
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | March 26, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Wow, I feel like he just had a birthday. Looks like a great celebration, but I agree that that fire fascination is a little worrisome.
Posted by: Christy / Not Hip | March 26, 2008 at 09:02 PM
oh my gosh. little sir is getting so big!
you are such a sweet mama! i LOVE the banner. i can just imagine his memories of his banners every year!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY little sir!!!!!!
Posted by: leslie | March 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Happy Birthday Little Sir! That is an awesome banner. What a fun post!
Posted by: tiennie | March 27, 2008 at 02:06 AM
Happy Birthday Little Sir!
What a great "banilla" cake you and your Mommy made!
PS: My daughter Julija is turning 2 on April 4th... Chocolate cake for her, definitely "-late" cake.
Posted by: Meri | March 27, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Happy Birthday Little Sir! (love the new cake stand!)
Posted by: brooke | March 27, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Happy Birthday Little Sir! What a lucky boy you are!
Posted by: Kwana | March 27, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Happy Birthday Little Sir! And Nova? If you ever feel like throwing a birthday party for *my* Quincy, his birthday is in November. ;-)
Posted by: Opal | March 27, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I love the banner, I have to try it one day, the colours are bright and perfect for a birthday banner. Sending birthday wishes for your little one.
Hugs,
Dy
Posted by: Dyan | March 27, 2008 at 04:42 PM
OH I LOVE IT! Wow I am so impressed with your meticulously perfect letters! Thanks for the props, too! (: Elliot's birthday was on Tuesday, so he's almost exactly a year younger than Little Sir! I also love that tee he's wearing - hilarious!
Posted by: Rae | March 27, 2008 at 08:21 PM
That banner.. LOVE IT! I don't see why you can't have one of those for EVERY occasion you serve pie or cake. Little Sir, happy birthday to you!
Posted by: yaiAnn | March 27, 2008 at 09:02 PM