We recently celebrated Baron’s 1st Birthday!!! Everyone always warns us how fast they grow up…. well I guess they were right! I can’t believe my baby is a year old.

Gabe and I decorated paper cups for the festivities.

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In these festive cups we served…

Banana Orange smoothies

1 frozen banana

1 1/2 c. whole milk

1/3 c. frozen orange juice concentrate

2 c. ice

Blend in a blender until nice and smooth. Serve with a straw and paper umbrella.

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As a pastry chef it warms my heart to see my son thoroughly enjoying his very own chocolate cake.

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Baron gives the camera a chocolate kiss.

For the game portion of the party I supplied each guest with an ample supply of play dough and pipe cleaners. They had the length of the party to create a monkey.

Here is the winner….(warning.. it’s PG-13)

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This work of art was really a team effort by my brothers. One created the monkey while the other added the nice little yellow fountain (and no, my brothers aren’t 12 – in fact, they both have children of their own… scary :))

And for the adults… our very own monkey cake. Dark chocolate layers sandwiched between whipped ganache, fresh bananas and whipped cream. Mmmmm!!!

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