Jude’s Birthday Bake Shop

Hey Loves!

They tell you don’t blink because babies don’t keep. Well, my eyes have been taped open and I have barely slept and yet, my baby boy is turning 4. I am coping with the emotions of that but in the meantime, we celebrate.

Due to moves, more moves and me not have my bearings, brother Jude has only has one birthday party and watched last year as his bother was celebrated all day with no complaints. So, when he began dropping hints of his birthday with a party, I aptly obliged.

I obliged every theme idea. All 40 of them. And then sense intervened. Here are the facts. Jude is born on Christmas Day so if he has a party it has to be in early December because people have lives and things to do. We are in a pandemic so it would have to be socially distanced, masks required and very low numbers with a video link. It is December and the weather is a fickle beast so it would have to be able to be hosted inside my home.

I’ll give you a second to lament for me.

With all of that, I went to work on planning and none of the 40 themes could feasibly meet all the needs. So, I had to come up with another one that he would enjoy. I have no idea why God put a cookie decorating party in my Pinterest feed but I am grateful for it. I really thought he would over-love a gingerbread decorating party but I didn’t feel good about blurring the lines of Christmas and his birthday. I also didn’t want to make enough gingerbread that was allergen friendly.

Then, lightening struck. Gluten free funfetti mix, pre-made cookie dough, proportioned toppings and frosting adorned with personalized aprons and themed masks. SOLD!

Jude’s Bake Shop 4th Birthday was born and man, it was a blast!

All decor came from Amazon and Oriental Trading. It was quite easy to find everything. I personalized these aprons for all the attendees.

I pre-baked the cupcakes in a large cupcake tin and a regular one allowing me to freeze some for his actual birthday. Then made 1 dozen sugar cookies from pre-made allergen-friendly dough. Easy!

I sent our virtual guests a care package with the materials.

I set up tables so each family would be at one table and socially distanced and used paint palettes for toppings with snack cups and piping bags for the frosting.

Apparently there wasn’t enough sugar because I added some doughnuts. I use a cupcake Jude decorated for him to blow his candle. Hearts were full, stomachs were happy and energy was high!

Clean up was a breeze thanks to lining tables with craft paper. I disinfected after our guest left and let the sugar crash give my two a good nap. Happy 4th birthday Jude!