lilSugar -- Mommy's little helper.

Kiddie Soiree: Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

lilsugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

My friend faces a major dilemma when it comes to her son's birthday. He is not a fan of cake, regardless of the shape or flavor she presents. While other kids eagerly await their slice of birthday cake, her son seeks ice cream.

In planning his party this year, she decided to mix things up a bit and create something that will make both guests and the guest of honor happy — ice cream cone cakes. Prior to the party, she is baking the cupcakes in the cones and will have the tots decorate them with colored icings, sprinkles, crushed cookies and candies. After a roaring rendition of "Happy Birthday," she will serve up traditional ice cream cones to the celebrants and give guests a special box to take their cupcake home in.

To see how to make this retro birthday treat

Lil Links: Assuming Your Kids Can Attend Parties

lilsugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0800

Party foul: assuming your kids are invited — YumSugar
Courteney Cox says she and Coco are two of a kind — Celebrity Baby Blog
Should I have another child? — Momversation
How to get your kids to eat healthier — Alpha Mom
Jett Travolta meant a lot to his family — Celebrity Baby Scoop
Gene linked to dad's ability to father sons, daughters — Parent Dish
Get your body back after baby! — Health
Pregnancy can bring on swollen ankles — CafeMom
And the winner of the Santa tantrum award is. . . — The Poop

Kiddie Soirée: Van Gogh Gumdrops

lilsugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:00:21 -0800

Inspire your lil artist, and gift giver, with Van Gogh Gumdrops ($45). These kits allow tots to decorate cookies without the requisite mess that usually comes along with a baking project. Perfect for kiddo parties, or even as presents, each innovative set includes plain sugar cookies, markers with U.S. Certified Food Color edible ink, cello bags, and assorted taffeta. After the cookies are all gone, save the markers for the next time you've got some cookies and a tot looking for something to do.

Website lil Loves: ECHOage

lilsugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:04 -0800

Mamas fear their babe's birthday parties, but not because of the cake and chaos that ensue — it's the presents that send parents into a panic. A room full of gifts is more than some youngsters can handle and sadly, many items just get tossed in the toy box once they are brought home. Two mommies figured out a solution to this problem and founded ECHOage to share their genius idea with other mothers.

The site is a party service that sends out paperless invitations to your tot's birthday party and allows for the guests (or their parents) to make a secure payment online in lieu of a present. Then half of the money is donated to the celebrant's charity of choice and the rest is paid to the guest of honor to pick out one special gift. Aside from teaching kids to be considerate of others, the concept cuts out invitations, cards, thank-you notes, wrapping paper and mall trip pollution making it Eco-friendly as well.

Kiddie Soirée: Gingerbread Man Cakelets

lilsugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:00:37 -0800

Some moms have the time and patience to carefully plan out elaborate holiday desserts for upcoming parties and events, for everyone else there is the Gingerbread Man Cakelet Pan ($20). This handy little non-stick pan creates perfect lil gingerbread man desserts in a snap. Create your own recipe, or just use the pre-made kind that comes in a box from the grocery store. Add a touch of frosting, and voila, you're done! If you're up for it, have your children decorate the cakes with you. But if you're short on time they look cute plain too. These little guys are a tasty treat perfect for passing out to neighbors, your tot's holiday party at school, or the family friendly fête you throw every year.

Mommy Dearest: Looking For Inexpensive Party Favors?

lilsugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:00:40 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

My daughter's fifth birthday is coming up and I'm throwing her the typical cake, ice cream and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey-party with ten of her classmates. It's low key and because I was recently laid off, low budget. In order to further cut costs, I'm thinking of skipping the party favors unless you have any ideas for inexpensive options?

— Birthday on a Budget

To read the response from Mommy Dearest,

Kiddie Soiree: Make Your Own Sign

babysugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:00:48 -0800

It always seems that I go into a store with the intention of buying one thing and walk out with something completely different. Such was the case when I set out to buy party favors for my daughter's birthday. Instead of picking out trinkets, I bought tools to make a birthday sign. A fairly simple project, I was pleased with the results and hope it becomes a birthday heirloom that we will hang every year on her birthday.

To see the whole festive sign and how to make it,

ECOWEEN: Go Green For Halloween!

lilsugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:00:48 -0700

Like most parents, lilsugar wants the world to be a better place for our children, so we're going green for Halloween. This month we're giving you the tools to provide the thrills of dressing up and indulging in treats for your children in an eco-friendly fashion with ECOWEEN! Keeping with with the theme reuse, renew, and recycle — stay tuned for fun posts on the following:

Costume Swap Party — This prior-to-Halloween-party is costume required and allows children to swap their old costume for one that is "new-to-them" from another guest. Send out recycled invitations, bob for organic apples, and make it a ghoulish good time.

Five Costumes Made From a Box — As the saying goes, children enjoy the box more than the present, so take it a step further with some eco-friendly paint and a box cutter and turn their favorite toy into a fitting costume.

To see what other tricks and treats we have in store,

Kiddie Soireé: Tiny Prints For Halloween!

babysugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:00:30 -0700

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. The creativity, costumes, and candy get me all riled up for a ghoulish good time. Adding to my freaky fetish is Tiny Prints! The fabulous printmakers are showcasing a fresh line of Halloween invitations that will make any guest-to-be scream with joy!

Tots born during the spooky season who like to celebrate it with a costume-theme party can choose from pumpkins, black cats, and other haunted icons for fabulous invites or announcements

To see more invitations,

Kiddie Soiree: Birthdays Cost More Than a Couple Bucks

lilsugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:00:01 -0700

Suri Cruise had a second birthday fete that would break most people's piggy banks, but some parents shell out bucks because there is no other option.

For urban dwellers living in tight spaces, children's birthday parties are a necessary splurge. It's one thing if your lil darling made his or her debut during the warm weather months as you can throw their soiree at the local park or playground. And, it's quite another when you can't rely on the climate forecast. To see what my options are,