TamaraLynCakes

My second daughter turned 8 this summer.  This year we decided to do something a little more extravagant for our kids’ birthdays than we normally do.  Tyler had a gymnastics party and Kami got to take her friends ice skating.  As we were talking about what to do for Madison’s party at the end of the summer, we came across a great groupon for a birthday party at an indoor swimming pool.  It seemed like the perfect party, with one exception – Madi didn’t want a pool party!  I was bummed because I had visions of flip flop cupcakes all planned out in my head already.  Instead of swimming, she wanted to go rock climbing.  Really?  Rock climbing?  How in the world am I going to make a them cake for a rock climbing party (after all, it’s really about the cake, right?)?  But rock climbing she wanted, so it was rock climbing she got.  At first I thought I would just cop out and make cupcakes and some cute little topper for them, but my sweet husband said, “why don’t you make a rock wall?”  I thought, “Umm, because I have no idea how to construct a rock wall?!?!”  But, I set my creative juices working and I have to say I am very proud of what I came up with.  Steve says it’s my best one yet…but he is biased!

As in the past, I cannot take credit for the adorable “fondant Madi” on the cake – that was the handiwork of my friend Jamie Tanner.  She did such a great job making it look as much like my sweet girl as possible, and I have say, I think she did a fabulous job!!    Here is a close-up alongside one of Madi with the cake.

As I’ve said before…the joy on the face of my baby girl says it all!! 

So, after Madison chose rock climbing over the great pool party deal, I forgot about my cute flip flop cupcakes.  But then one of my good friends told me her daughter was going to have a pool party for her birthday (gotta LOVE groupon!) and wanted to know if I could make some cute flip flop cupcake toppers!!  I guess this is where it would be appropriate to say I got to have my cake and eat it too!!    Sorry…couldn’t resist that one!

After getting one of the napkins she was going to use, my mind starting to spin with all the different color combinations I could make for these little flip flops.  I had so much fun this week making them and putting all the little special touches on them.  Kayla was thrilled with them and was excited to pick out the perfect pair to sit on top of her cupcake. 

I LOVE being able to do this!!!!