Mischief Managed

Snitch cake pops in progress.

Ella's birthday party at Flipz Gym went off today with very few hitches but plenty of snitches! For those of you unfamiliar with the Harry Potter series of books (shame on you - get to the library RIGHT NOW), Harry plays the wildly popular sport of Quidditch, which is sort of like lacrosse played on broomsticks. He is his team's seeker, his job being to find a special ball called a "golden snitch." When Ella said she wanted a Harry Potter birthday party, I began searching online for themed cakes. Most were so elaborate (giant Hogwarts Castles, sorting hats),  I knew that only a professional bakery could pull them off. But golden snitch cake pops? Maybe those I could handle.

Annie's 3rd birthday.

I don't know what it is about my kids' birthdays, but I suddenly turn into a slightly less maniacal Martha Stewart. It started with Annie's doll cake, which I topped last year with Ella's dragon cake. These cake pops required all kinds of specialty ingredients (gum paste, candy melts) and a stupid amount of time (I made the balls and wings last night and then started dipping this morning, finishing them with about 20 minutes to spare - just enough time to shower and head to the party venue). But the look of delight on Ella's face when I showed her the first snitch made all of the effort worth it.

Happy 10th birthday our funny, musical, creative, hilarious, spirited, and kind Ella! We love you so!

Friends and cousins at Flipz!

Putting candles in cake pops is a tricky business.

10 and happy.