an American Girl - inspired birthday!

We celebrated our oldest daughter's 7th birthday on Valentine's Day with lots of pink and red!

I was so excited when Charley was open to celebrating her birthday with friends by going on a Girls Movie Date, followed by cake & ice cream, and then crafts. 

Typically, we host big birthday celebrations . . . which are a lot of fun, but can be a lot of work. I love hosting and 'celebrating big,' but I'm becoming a big fan of intimate gatherings . . . and simple & classic party designs. For me, that means inviting CLOSE friends and family, instead of inviting everyone under the sun . . . and having/making fewer and more simple/meaningful decorations.

~ pink roses and our tradition ~

Our Charley asked me for an American Girl inspired birthday this year. Her only firm request was that I make a "chocolate cake with chocolate frosting." Done. And done.

We had so much fun!

I played chauffeur for a group of little ladies who all brought their American Doll, or favorite doll, to join in the festivities. I smile every time I think about walking into the movie theater with them (and their dolls). They walked in arm and arm, giggling with excitement. For most of them, it was their first time going to the movies without their parents. So I can only imagine how exciting the whole thing was for them (smile!).

I gave each of the girls a pink purse in the movie theater to hold their very own movie treats; and then I collected them before the party ended so that I could fill them with party favors . . . American Girl Stickers & activity books, heart-shaped lollipops, and lots of Valentine treats.

We headed back to our house after the movies to craft and enjoy cake! 

The girls were welcomed with a 6-foot table that I filled with a variety of Valentine and American Girl crafts. They sipped on Shirley Temples in fancy glasses with pretty paper straws while they all designed their very own American Girl cupcake. 

These doll-size American Girl place settings are crazy adorable! The girls (and their dolls) loved them, too!

After lots of crafting, we gathered around our dining room table to sing Happy Birthday . . . and then the girls (and their dolls) ventured to the backyard for a picnic.

I made the cake topper using hand-made tissue paper pom poms, pearl pink candies, and 3-D American Girl stickers that Charley and I glued to cake pops sticks so that we could insert them into the top of the cake. 

Charley asked me to make a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting . . . and so I did!

I used my absolute favorite chocolate cake recipe to bake her cake. There are a lot of chocolate cake recipes out there, but this one is tops!

The recipe calls for a whopping 1 1/3 cup cocoa powder, which gives it a real chocolate flavor . . . the 5 eggs give it richness and a beautiful texture . . . and the buttermilk helps keeps it moist! It's truly an exceptional recipe!

And then I frosted her cake with a luxurious chocolate butter-cream frosting. I use Ina Garten's recipe, as I LOVE that her recipe calls for adding two kinds of REAL chocolate to flavor the frosting. It's so darn good!!

After hours of play, Charley's birthday celebration was finally done . . .

                and given her big smiles and happiness, I would say that her special day was a success!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Charley!

I love you, Mom

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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