Reason To Celebrate

It's so easy to get kids out of bed at 6:30 am when it's their birthday.  And yesterday was no different.  Jillian's feet hit the floor running when Jenica's alarm (her dad's voice) sounded at 6:30 am.  (Blessing #571) 

She opened presents before school, and walked up the sidewalk to the playground with a bounce in her step.  (#572)  I showed up at school, at the end of the day, with star cookies (and camera) in hand.  Jillian passed out the cookies to each of her friends, including Mrs. Petersen, and the kids loved the words on their cookie:  You Are A Star.  As I mentioned before, they're the best sugar cookies in the world.  (See recipe below)  Two of the kids even asked me for the recipe.  It's not every day that a 1st grader asks me for a recipe.  But it sure made my heart smile.  (#573)

When I asked if I could take a picture, they knew exactly what to do and got in lines with the tallest in back, with a couple "class leaders" quickly giving instructions to those who needed assistance.  I was really impressed by how well it all came together. (#574)  Usually everyone wants to stand in back, but not this group of kiddos.  And of course, they wanted a "silly picture" in the mix also.  

For dinner last night (or "supper" to us country folk), we had a house full of fun as we got the party started.  My brother and his wife arrived from Arizona earlier in the day, and their little guy Adam turned 7 on Monday, so we were able to celebrate two birthdays yesterday.   It's the first time we've been able to celebrate Adam's birthday with him.  (#575)  Jillian's great-grandma Bernie brought her famous orange Jello with her, and the meal was perfect for anyone who's a Kid at heart. ~ Hot Dogs, hamburgers, jello, cheetos, funions, mac-n-cheese, corn on the cob, and Alimah's famous potato salad (which was more for the adults than the kids).  Oh, and bottles of rootbeer, cream soda, and orange crush. 

And it just wouldn't be a Bailey-style party without a few HUGE fireworks from our in-house pyrotech Uncle Dave.  (#576)

Here is a slide-show of photos I put together for you, so you can get a brief visual of how we celebrated Jillian's 8th birthday. 

Jillian's 8th Birthday from Janet Bailey on Vimeo.

Buttermilk Sugar Cookies
Cream:  1 c. butter and 2 cups sugar.
Add:  2 eggs and beat well
Sift together:  5 c. flour
                      1/2 tsp. soda
                      1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
                      1 tsp. salt
Add alternately with 1 cup buttermilk to the butter/sugar mixture.
Roll out and cut.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes on middle rack. 

Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
2 TB water (or more)
1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Buttercream Decorator Frosting
1/2 cup crisco (white)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (use clear vanilla if you want pure white frosting)
1/2 tsp. almond flavoring
4 cups powdered sugar
2 TB milk