Ice Cream Sundae Sunday

Yesterday was Zoë's birthday party. It all started with a dress I found on ebay last spring that reminded me of neapolitan ice cream. I decided at that moment that she would have an ice cream party and the colors would be pink, brown and cream-neapolitan colors. I do believe this is the most fun I have had planning a birthday party!

To start us off, let me refresh your memory by re-posting the invitation I made for the party:



I usually hang my scrapbook layouts from this wire on display, but took them down for the party and made these little ice cream cones. The sundae in the middle is cut from my Cricut Sweet Treats cartridge and the "sundae" letters are cut using the Cricut Storybook cartridge. The little cones I made by cutting a 4" scalloped circle, running it through my Cuttlebug using the mosaic tile embossing folder to give it the waffled texture and then rolling them up in cone shapes. I then stuffed them with confetti.

These plastic cones were a Dollar Tree find. I stuffed them with confettin, ice cream shaped erasers and ice cream themed bubbles plus other small treats for the treat bags.

Okay first let me say how excited I was to find rock candy and Pop Rocks on my trip to North Carolina last weekend. How vintage! The pink ice cream cones holding the straws and rock candy, the cone holding the spoons and the ice cream painted container holding the maraschino cherries were from JoAnn's. I saw them back in the spring and patiently waited all summer until they went on clearance. The ice cream tray I found on deep discount at Michael's last weekend. After it rang up, it cost me $2 and some change!! WOOHOO!

I was going to make petit fours and cover them in pourable fondant, but upon my mother's arrival, she informed me that all the rage back home were these things called Cake Balls. Basically, you bake a sheet cake, crumble it up and mix it with frosting and shape into little balls and freeze. Then you melt almond bark and dip them in it. I had never heard of them and we quickly figured out why no one makes them here. They don't sell almond bark in grocery stores here like they do back in Texas. My mom said WalMart and every grocery store has it in the baking section, but we went to two WalMarts and four different grocery stores and none of them had it. Later a friend told me that I would have to find a candy specialty store to buy it here. Weird. Anyway, thankfully, Mom brought some almond bark with her and we had enough for the party. They were a huge hit and looked great on my cupcake display stand.

I think this was the most fun for me. I was so excited about making these jars for the toppings. I got the jars at the Christmas Tree Shop and used Cricut Storybook cartridge to cut ouy the tags. I printed the labels on my computer using the Candice font which I thought was adorable and reminded me of ice cream and candy. I also bought a straw dispenser and put Pepperidge Farm Pirouettes (rolled wafers) in it.

Since we had the cake balls, we didn't feel we needed a large cake. Just one big enough to stick three candles in and let Zoë blow them out.

I made these decorations using tissue paper and a Martha Stewart tutorial online.



You can't have an ice cream party without also having ice cream floats, so I filled a bucket with ice and had grape, key lime, orange cream, cream soda and root beer. Yum!!



If you look in the corner of the photo on the left side, I had a Little Dipper crockpot plugged in keeping the hot fudge sauce warm.

And here is the girl of the hour wearing the tiara that was a last-minute impulse buy. I went to Party City to pick up her balloons that morning and that tiara was in my line of vision hollering, "Hey, Sucker, BUY ME! You know you want to!!"

Everyone seemed to have a good time and the children all left hyped up on sugar. But most importantly, Zoë loved her " Ice Cream Happy Birthday"

Happy 3rd birthday, my sweet girl!

I'm linking this with Dumb Mom's Mom Tip Tuesday. My tip? How to throw an awesome ice cream party! Follow the link and see her tip on how to successfully travel in the car with kids and if you have a tip, link up!

The Dress

When Zoë's first birthday rolled around, I wanted it to be girly. After five years of planning little boy parties ( in order from 1st-5th: puppies, Elmo, trains, Sponge Bob and Star Wars) I was ready to add a little sugar and spice (and pink) to the festivities. I browsed catalogs and internet ideas but nothing stood out. That is, until one day, while searching for cute little dresses on ebay, I came across this dress:

...and suddenly, I had a theme. I built her entire first birthday party around this dress. I was elated to find out that they actually sell a "Pink Poodles in Paris" party set at an online party store.

(cups, plates, napkins, topper and Eiffel Tower centerpiece)
I made the little hatboxes by covering Christmas cookie tins with scrapbook paper and filled them with dogbone shaped sugar cookies. I know what you're thinking, " Wait a minute, what is Darth Vader doing at this party?" Well, Noah's and Zoë's birthdays are only a week apart, so I had a combo Pink Poodles/ Star Wars party this year and I thought I merged the two themes well.

That was the first time I centered an entire party theme around a dress.

This year will be the second.

While online shopping one day, I came across this beautiful gem:

... and thought, "What a beautiful dress! It reminds me of neapolitan ice cream."

*BING*

And there was my idea. I suddenly had visions of ice cream socials from years past with ice cream sodas, pretty soda glasses, and jars filled with brightly colored candy toppings for sundaes.

Now you know. That is how my idea for this year's party began- back in May. I have been planning ever since and have just started making decorations. I will have a post just for the decorations when I am finished. But for now, you will have to settle for the invitation. As I mentioned in the previous post, I really enjoy making these invitations for them each year with Photoshop. Before I show you, I will show you what I used. I took this photo (which you saw in my previous post)

...edited it to give it a vintage feel and then built the invitation around it.

(back:)

A Good Ice Cream Experience

It sure seems that I am obsessed with ice cream, doesn't it? I've just realized that a large number of my posts this summer has been about ice cream in some form or fashion.

Zoë's party theme for her third birthday is going to be "Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social". I have a post planned to tell you about how I arrived at that idea ( and it isn't conventional, my ideas are always borne of some strange spark of inspiration. It explains how nutsy my mind really is, jumping from tangent to tangent, but that is for another day).

So, yes, ice cream party. Well, if you are a new reader, then you don't know that I always make both of my kids' invitations with Photoshop and invest quite a bit of time in their design. I had a design in mind for her invitation, but it required an elaborate setup which I did not have the props for. I was brainstorming and it occurred to me that I live in a state that is known for it's gazillion (yes, that is a number in my head and yes there really are that many in this little state) diners. It's one of those things that is synonymous with Jersey- the shore, diners, the Jersey devil, Jersey sweet corn and an entire state of full service gas stations. Yes, that's correct, you cannot pump your own gas in this state. It's the law.

I was thinking- in a state known for it's diners, there has to be an ice cream shop somewhere. I don't mean Dairy Queen, I mean the old ice cream/soda fountain type shop with the juke box and soda jerks. So, I consulted my dearest internet friend, Madame Google. She very quickly returned with the website of The Pop Shop in Collingswood, New Jersey. It was perfect and yesterday, we set out to have lunch, ice cream and stage some pictures.



The menu prices were very reasonable and the food was incredible. They serve breakfast all day ( and I mean basic breakfast, breakfast burritos, eggs benedict) and have over thirty versions of the grilled cheese sandwich. My grilled cheese connoisseur, Noah, literally was twittering with this realization. Even better, they have the regular kids menu and then the little kids menu for kids under 5 where most meals are about $2.99 that way you don't feel like you wasted money paying for a five dollar meal for your child to only eat three bites.

Upon entering, the kids were given paper soda jerk hats to decorate with crayons. Despite a packed house, our waitress arrived immediately to take our order, but we had to turn her away, because we had so many choices, we could not decide!


So, what did we end up eating? I had the Honeymoon chicken for $8.59. It is described as, "Grilled chicken breast topped with honey mustard dressing, avocado, caramelized onions, and melted cheddar cheese on crusty ciabatta" My husband had the Madison Grilled Cheese for $6.59. The adult grilled cheese is huge. Plenty big enough to satisfy. His is described as, "Mozzarella, tomato, basil, and garlic olive oil on country white". Noah had the kid-sized Big Toaster which is a classic grilled american cheese on white bread for $3.59. His came with fries. Ours did not, so we ordered a basket of fries to share. Their fries are hand cut and fried and delicious! As for Miss Zoë, she is the picky one and doesn't like sandwiches. We usually can't find anything other than french fries to feed her at a restaurant, but we ordered her the Chocolate Chip Betty's, "Our family’s original 100%-from-scratch pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream" for $3.59 and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

As for drinks, the kids got lemonade, but my husband and I thought we would take advantage of the soda fountain and I ordered Dr. Pepper with cherry and vanilla and he ordered Coke with cream and vanilla. Again, excellent!

Once lunch was cleared away, we licked our lips and prepared for the whole reason we visited- to order dessert. Again, they did not disappoint. Noah got the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Sundae, "Cookies and cream ice cream with chocolate chip cookie and Oreo™ pieces and caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream and rainbow jimmies":

Zoe ordered the Captain Underpants Cone, "Vanilla ice cream topped with a sugar cone, chocolate sauce and a candy face":

DJ ordered the Oreo Cheesecake Milkshake, "Vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, cream
cheese, and Oreo cookies":

I got a chocolate malted milk shake. Delish!

They also had the classic ice cream sodas- the cows, Lime Rickey, etc.

If you have a minute, I recommend you go to their site and peruse their dessert and food menus. You will be glad you did (or mad, if it causes you to raid your fridge). And if you live in or near southern New Jersey (Philadelphia area) or are visiting, I highly recommend you stop in and visit! (The restaurant, not our family- we don't share our ice cream)

Update to the Ice Cream Tune

Okay, y'all this is totally freaking me the heck out!

Since it appears y'all can't really hear the tune, I just went searching on the internet for ice cream jingles prepared to listen to quite a few before I found the particular one I wanted ( if at all). I wound up on this site, mainly because I wanted to hear and share the Mister Softee jingle with you.

But, then I saw two others listed and the author of the page titled one the " Ghetto Ice Cream Truck Song". I laughed because I thought I had coined the term, "Ghetto Man" for our ice cream fella, but apparently others have one too. I thought there was just NO WAY this would be the same song... and holy schnikes, IT IS! So.. hold onto your children... I give you the Ghetto Man song: ( it is exactly like ours, only difference is ours ends with "quack quack")

I Scream, You Scream ( in Terror as We Run Away)

If you aren't up to speed about the ice cream drama that has been going on in my 'hood this summer, you can catch up here, here , here and here. Go ahead, I'll wait.

*whistling*

Oh hey! You're back! Okay, well, we now have THREE regular ice cream men that roll through our neighborhood daily. Ghetto Man, Blue Bunny and, of course, Mister Softee.

Ghetto Man and Blue Bunny both played the tune Turkey in the Straw whereas Mister Softee has his own distinct (and heavenly) jingle. Someone must have tipped off Ghetto Man that he was ringing the same tune as Blue Bunny, because a few weeks ago, we heard something different, and a bit disturbing coming down the street. There is just no way I can convey the creepiness in words, so I've been waiting for the moment when I could record it as he drove by. Well my lucky, adoring (read:captive) audience, today is that day!

Now, before we get to the part that will surely be the root of many nightmares in your future, let me also go back about eight or nine years and tell you another story.

At the time, we were living in New Jersey, but in military housing. The ice cream truck that frequented housing played Greensleeves. You know, What Child is This? Either interpretation makes it weird. Either the ice cream man is playing a slow Christmas song in July, or he is playing an old English folk tune/love song. In my book, this was the weirdest song played by an ice cream truck, ever. That is until this year.

Back to present day. I may be a bit cynical, but if this doesn't give even the most trusting of you visions of a child molester preying through the neighborhood, I'll.... well, I'm still not buying ice cream from him!

(I got more than I need and can't trim the clip, so if you can fast forward to about 39 seconds in and then watch, it should be perfect)

Umm, yeah, you heard that right. The tune ends with a big "quack quack" and an overly cheery voice saying, "Hello!?"

Tell me, have you heard any strange selections on the playlist with your local ice cream truck? Please share in the comments, I would love to hear them!

Ice Cream Wars-Interim Episode, Before the Finale

This is out of order, but I wanted to be sure and add last night's events as well.

Last night, armed with money, we sat outside from the time Noah got home from school until very late waiting for the appearance of Mister Softee.

He did not come, but Ghetto Man crawled through the neighborhood FOUR TIMES.

FOUR.

F-O-U-R.

I just wondered if that was the equivalent of pee-ing on the neighborhood to mark his territory?

HA! It didn't work!

Nanner- nanner-boo-boo!

Ice Cream Wars 3- Good Things Come to Those Who Wait (or Complain A Lot)

FINALLY!

This afternoon, Noah heard the familiar jingle (I swear that kid has dog ears) and we all ran outside and waited until the rest of us could hear it too. It was unmistakable... the Mister Softee jingle.

We stood on the side street and Zoe began jumping up and down flagging him down.

He stopped.

We ordered.

We ate.

All's good.

We love you, Mister Softee! Come back tomorrow, please.




**Note: Fifteen minutes later, Ghetto Man came rolling through. HA!! IN. YOUR. FACE. GHETTO MAN!

Ice Cream Wars, Part 2: Underdog Prevails, Mom Fails

Mister Softee came back last night!!

Noah came rushing in the house screaming that Mister Softee was coming. I stuck my head out the door and it seemed he was inching perilously close to our house. I ran back inside to grab the money we've had sitting out for three days now to purchase ice cream only to realize it was gone.

Mister Softee was tied up two streets over with customers, so I frantically started searching around while texting my husband at work to ask if he had seen the money.

Within a minute I had my reply. My husband took the money to work with him. Mister Softee was going to pass our house at last and we had no money with which to purchase ice cream.

He did pass. We didn't get ice cream. Noah has still not forgiven me (or his father).

Here's hoping he comes back tonight!

Ice Cream Wars

Do you have a favorite ice cream man? We do. It's the Mister Softee truck.

(image retrieved from the internet since Mister Softee is like the Loch Ness monster and rarely seen around these parts)

We like him best because he has soft serve ice cream. Alas, he has not been around our neighborhood for the last few years. We've sometimes had visits from the Blue Bunny man, but mostly, we only have the generic, I-wouldn't-buy-anything-outta-his-truck ghetto ice cream man.

That's how we roll here in our 'hood.

(actual Ghetto Man- if you don't hear from me after today, I've been off-ed for whistle-blowing)

I'm starting to think that generic man is a member of the Mafia and is off-ing the other ice cream trucks because he has somehow claimed our turf as his own. I want to know why we don't get a vote... I want Mister Softee back.

About a week ago, we heard the distinct jingle of the Mister Softee truck at 9:30pm. Noah came flying out of his bedroom to inform us just as he drove by. But it was 9:30, on a school night, and we missed him anyway. We hoped this was the start of something good. That we would wake up the next morning with the sun shining, the bluebirds singing and Mister Softee driving through our neighborhood.

It didn't happen.

Yesterday evening, we heard Mister Softee again. Off in the distance. We all scrambled in and raided our wallets/purses/change jars/piggy banks and proceeded back outside to wait for him. He never came. We heard another tune off in the distance- Turkey in the Straw- and sure enough, the bearer was Ghetto Man. We went inside, dejected, thinking maybe we just missed him in our excited frenzy.

This afternoon, rather early, we heard the jingle again. My heart started racing, I jumped inside the front door and grabbed the wad of cash and coins still lying in the entryway from last night's failed attempt to catch the elusive god of frozen confection. The kids were posted at the fence so as not to miss him. I SAW him cross over our street ( they usually weave back and forth across our street onto the side streets) about four blocks down.

He's coming! He's coming! Mister Softee is bringing his little bits of soft-serve frozen heaven to our house at last!

But, then, only minutes after seeing him cross over our street, from the other direction, I heard Turkey in the Straw blaring in utter discord. Such cacophony to my ears. No! No! NOOOO MISTER GHETTO MAN, GO AWAY!!!

GO. AWAAAAY!

And boldly, claiming the turf that is his own, Mister Ghetto Man drove straight up our street,not even criss-crossing and headed down to where Mister Softee was spotted.

We didn't hear the sweet Softee jingle again, but fifteen minutes later, Turkey in the Straw came merrily criss-crossing through our neighborhood from the same direction that Mister Softee was last spotted.

Rest in peace, Mister Softee. We love you.