It has been a while since I have posted photos from one of Anne’s parties. That’s because it has been a while since she has hosted a party. Well, if you consider eight months to be a while, that is.
Longtime followers of my blog have likely seen a number of posts with snapshots from one of my sister-in-law’s themed parties. She’s an absolute party planning pro and goes all out with decorations and food. This particular party was a very “sweet” occasion.
For the past few years, Anne’s daughter, who just turned six, has chosen her own birthday party theme. This year, she picked Strawberry Shortcake. If you have no idea what that is, you’re not alone.
Mr. Handsome thought the them meant that his niece likes strawberry shortcake and wanted to have it served at her party. Little did he know that there is an entire book series, and now a TV show, centered around a character known as Strawberry Shortcake.
The party was a lot of fun. It was outdoors on a hot day, and the invite list was limited to mostly family and a few close friends. Everyone was very respectful of each other, and the party did not go against the guidelines set by the state for gatherings.
Anne and her husband just moved, and their new house has a pool. They went back and forth on whether to keep the pool or fill it in, but the ultimately decided to keep it, which is great news for us! All the benefits of having a relative with a pool but none of the upkeep.
The few families with little kids swam in the pool before eating pulled pork sandwiches. It’s a surprisingly large pool, so families were able to stay in their own little corners.
Let’s get one more look at the cake. Anne made a “naked cake,” a term that I have heard many times but one that is new to Mr. Handsome. Let’s just say that he had a numer of new experiences at this party. It was also his first time eating a cupcake with pink frosting. I guess it was good preparation in case we ever have a daughter.
“Mostly family and a few close friends” thinking they’re “not going against state guidelines” is exactly how this virus is spreading. You should not be near people outside your immediate household. Those distancing guidelines are only that, not guarantees! I can see now how your son came down with that other virus earlier, if you think attending this kind of party is OK. It’s unfortunate that events have to be canceled but there are almost 150,000 people in the US whose entire lives have been canceled because of people who won’t stop being near each other and spreading this virus.
I completely agree! No matter how people try to justify it, no parties are ok under the current circumstances. Social distancing saves lives! I highly doubt that the attendees at this birthday party wore masks and stayed six feet apart outside the whole time. This is why the U.S. has the most cases and deaths from COVID-19…people can’t make sacrifices for the greater good.
I agree! This makes me sad to see. People are too anxious to resume life as normal. You can’t because things are anything but normal right now. There have been many cases in the news where entire families got sick after someone had a party. It’s a terrible way to expose several generations. You can’t trust your family’s health to what your state tells you they think is safe. They’re acting in their economic interest, not necessarily your personal safety. States like Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona all had guidelines, but you see what happened after people started getting together again. Their case numbers are soaring and their hospitals are overflowing. The only way to stop this virus right now is to use common sense and stay apart. It’s hard but the alternative is worse. I’m sure nobody wore masks in the pool or on that float, and the buffet is not set up to keep people 6′ apart or to keep them from breathing on the food or touching communal utensils. If someone gets sick after the party, can you look each other in the eye and say it was all worth it for some strawberries?
Media much? Is this all I say? You’re all hyped up much, maybe media hyped?
If you are worried, stay home. Just don’t tell others what to do. We had a graduation party for my son with about thirty people and no one got sick. I am so tired of those who are scared telling others how to live. I am not afraid to get a virus. I won’t stay home in hiding to try to avoid it. If you want to that is your choice. I see hundreds of people at Walmart and people don’t tell them to stay home. Really people coming to my house is more dangerous than going to the store? No, I don’t think so. Stop believing everything the news says. You have more than a 98 percent chance of survival if you do get it. I don’t look at the statistics for car accidents before I get in the car to go somewhere. People act like staying home guarantees that you won’t die. Everyone is going to die at some point whether you never leave your house again or not. Living in fear will make you sick.
It had nothing to do with strawberries! People were made to enjoy the company of others. We were made to interact. Children have an almost zero percent chance of dying from covid or even getting sick. There is no reason that children need to be kept separated! I am so glad your sister in law had a party for her daughter! It looks like it was a lot of fun!
This post does not make me want to be in any hurry to go back to the dentist, if this is what dentists do during their time off…
Anon 10:18 Good grief lol. Do you think people are all hiding in bunkers for these last few months? We aren’t and actually a whole load of us have worked in the public through this whole so called pandemic. We have also shopped, ate in restaurants, went to Church, went to Parks etc. etc, and we’re around all kinds of people in public and as far as social distancing, it is technically impossible to social distance in a lot of scenarios we have been in and we are fine. So a trip to the Dentist shouldn’t be a problem lol.
I had the same exact thought as 10:18. The behavior of people like the poster from July 25 at 11:43 is downright selfish and irresponsible. I know it sounds harsh, but that’s how I feel. There is an actual pandemic going on…not a so-called one. If 11:43 has been working during this whole time, he/she should know that. Going to work is necessary, but we could certainly do without large gatherings, eating in restaurants, and shopping for non-essential items for the time being. I long to be doing those things, but protecting my health, family, community, and country is more important right now. As hard as it is, I will continue with the masks and social distancing for as long as I have to.
I agree it was 100% selfish to have a child’s birthday party now with anyone outside of their immediate family! I would never risk my child’s life or anyone else’s life for just a party these days no matter what the occasion is.
Anon 10:54 Because I am in the public working along with family members also working, friends, our husbands etc, gives me the right to say so called pandemic. If what we were being told on the news was true, don’t you think I would see that at my workpkace, or everyone I know would see that. We have seen out of the hundreds of people combined that all of us work with 4 got covid and quarantined for 14 days and are back to work. The media is scaring people to death and they have you all hiding and afraid. Example, the flu kills thousands of people a year including young children, and if they told you on the news each day how many people died that day from the flu and the ages and what states, after awhile you would become so paranoid from the flu that you would be hiding in your home’s from it. There are countless old folks in nursing homes that die from colds and flus every year and can you imagine if every night on the news they talked about what nursing homes and how many died in them. That is what they are doing to you and its working because look at the fuss you guys made over people getting together for a Birthday party. I’m out in the public and you are being lied to by the news.
@10:10 Covid-19 is not the flu. JAMA Cardiology is now reporting that 78 out of 100 Covid survivors tested have heart inflammation. These are people with few or no preexisting heart conditions, and people who had varying degrees of illness with the virus, some hospitalized, some not. The seasonal flu does not do that in those numbers. This is a very serious virus and just because you personally have no experience with it doesn’t mean that it isn’t a serious threat to everyone.
Stop overreacting already. Most schools are getting ready to reopen in most states, with some safety guidelines put into place, so having a Birthday party among close friends and family would not be a oroblem..sheesh. You quarantine police people would be putting up a fight to stop all the rioters and “protesters ‘ who are out in the streets every night and day shoulder to shoulder if you were really serious about people staying apart. So until you are ready to stop those people then leave us good sense people alone!!!
@1:08 A LOT of people are ready to stop those protestors that are out destroying property and being anything but peaceful. But that’s not the average person’s job. We’d be hurt or arrested if we tried. It’s up to those protestors to be responsible THEMSELVES and if they aren’t, that’s not something people who aren’t law enforcement can stop. A million thanks to the law enforcement officials who are out there trying, getting exposed and hurt in the process while trying to defend others’ property and keep others safe while this irresponsible destruction is happening.
@ Anonymous 24th 1:08 Schools opening means nothing to this virus. It isn’t going away because kids are going back to school. Quite the opposite. Several schools in the news opened recently and had to immediately close again because of positive cases. Summer camps too. Safety guidelines are not working. There’s no way you can keep students from sharing the same air in a building, and without strict mask requirements, they’re asking for trouble. Some schools already found that out. You didn’t hear about the 3 teachers in Arizona who shared 1 classroom this summer to do online classes? All 3 got the virus and 1 died. They thought they had followed safety guidelines in that classroom. Were they overreacting?
1:08 – How exactly do you expect anyone to stop a rioter???? I mean, tell us what to do and we’ll do it, because we’re tired of that stuff too.
Schools may be getting ready to reopen but teachers are quitting, retiring, or refusing to go back to their classrooms because they don’t feel it’s safe. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of more outbreaks among young people and also teacher strikes before too long. Schools have no experience handling a disease like this! Many don’t have a nurse or health care worker on site on a usual day.
More than half the parents in my school district chose an online learning option instead of sending their kids back in person this fall. Parents made that decision after the district announced that they were going to “try” to open as usual. The district saw the parental response and changed their minds. They’re not opening at all and will decide again about what to do in January. We’re not even a “hot spot” and the school and parents said no to in-person learning.
People are losing their freedoms to conform to constant ‘social distancing’ as if that were an end or a goal to achieve to gratify an anonymous big brother. Who cares but some other brain washed fanatic who rants about people enjoying life at a child’s birthday party. Which is more of a true end or goal or something to achieve. It was made clear in the narrative that the family groups did maintain their own distances while there. What families are 6 feet apart at home unless someone person has to self isolate for awhile? The fear and idea that it is being good and obedient to the authorities makes me think people don’t have much real soul if they think they are being good because they are obsessed with this virus ‘good behavior’.
This virus is not a hype or hoax! Also, people who are wearing masks and practicing social distancing are not brainwashed or submitting to “big brother” in the least! They do that because they care about their health and the health of their families, neighbors, and fellow Americans. Also, we are not giving up our freedoms! Masks and social distancing give us freedom from COVID and freedom from the guilt of possibly transmitting it to others. Having these safeguards allow for reopening and people getting back to work.
6:47 You bombard the Mayors office and Governors office with mail, calls telling them to stop this destruction of your city. Get together with others and sue for Dereliction of Duty against your Mayor and Governor and your city officials who are allowing your city, businesses, and property to be destroyed. Demand that they accept the help that our President offered them and let the troops come in. You have a right to feel safe in your city, business and homes and it is the top duty of your city officials to provide you safety. Sue, because money talks with politicians!!
City officials are not “allowing” businesses to be destroyed. They did not lay down a Welcome mat and invite armed thugs to smash and burn. No city officials (my neighbor is one) are being derelict. They don’t need to be “bombarded” with mail because they are well aware of what’s happening, why, and that it shouldn’t be happening. They have already met repeatedly to discuss actions. Nobody needs to be sued except for the law-breakers who are doing the destruction. They need to pay for what they’ve done. We don’t need armed federal troops, we need the agitators to stop what they’re doing. ALL sides agree about that. Martin Luther King did not smash glass and burn police buildings to fight for civil rights. He used the power of his mind and his speech. He achieved more through non-violence than these present-day destroyers ever will.
@10:36 Neither you or anyone else has the freedom to infect me and my loved ones and possibly make us die. There is no right to that anywhere in the world.
Funny how all these rude comments are anonymous. Cant believe everything you hear on the news gals.
Anon 9:34 Your Mayor, Governor, city officials are absolutely allowing this destruction of your city. They have even went as far as telling your police no more tear gas, and have tied the police hands. To disburse a rioting crowd you need tear gas. Your city officials are locking up business owners who open their shops, but standing by and letting rioters off the hook for burning down businesses. When they do lock a rioter up they get out the next day because no bail is required. People should SUE, it works, money talks!!!
Wrong 12:47. My city’s police department tear gassed, flash banged, and handcuffed until the unlawful protesting stopped and will do it again if it starts again. We had National Guard troops to back up the police. There are no business owners locked up here and never have been. No bail is required because that’s the law and equal justice for all. You’d be furious if they twisted things and made special jail times for some people or some crimes. No one arrested is “off the hook” for what they did. There are court dates coming up; Covid has slowed that down. You need to stop making generalizations for situations you don’t know about. Do you think sitting at home yelling SUE at strangers online is helping any matter? It’s been lovely chatting with you but this is enough.
Anon 9:34 Wanting anarchist to stop doing what they are doing without being physically stopped is nothing but a pipe dream. They don’t care what the officials say because they know what the officials say isn’t being backed up with action. These anarchist have no intention of paying for all the damage they did because they know they don’t have to that’s why they do it. If you don’t want troops in to stop them then good luck because you will need it.
I agree, to an extent. But we’re all in such a tough time right now, I think we should show each other some grace. It sounds like they truly did take some precautions at the party, and if everyone took at least the precautions they took, we’d probably be in a better place. I don’t think parties like this are the problem – the problem is people who take zero precautions because they refuse to acknowledge that the seriousness of the pandemic. I don’t think that’s the case with Ellie and her family. And as for the person who posted about her husband being a dentist, I guess ideally, for his patients, he wouldn’t be attending parties like this, but dentists and doctors are people, too, and I don’t know if it’s reasonable to expect them to put their lives on hold entirely. If he is working right now, I’m sure he’s taking all the recommended precautions to prevent infecting his patients.
Strawberry shortcake and her friends were popular when I was a kid. Funny to see these come back around. Looks like Anne did a great job again.
I remember strawberry shortcake had a cartoon series in the 80s. Also I believe that there were paper dolls and coloring books and dolls that smelled like whatever she and her friends were labeled.
What a lovely party!! I think Strawberry Shortcake is such an adorable character. Mr. Handsome sounds like he is such a good sport about trying new things. When my daughter was little, my hubby learned a lot about things like My Little Pony, American Girl dolls, and all sorts of girly things. He loved every moment of it! Strawberries are my favorite fruit and all the things your sister in law made look so yummy.
Your sister-in-law did a great job again. I loved Strawberry Shortcake when I was little. There were Strawberry Shortcake cartoon specials, toys, and vinyl records in the early 1980s. She looks a lot different now though. I spotted the old school version of her on the flower centerpiece photo. The cake is gorgeous.
I hope your niece had a wonderful day. I live in a corona virus hotspot, so we’re being tasked with socializing only with people within our household. It’s been quite an adjustment for us. Hopefully, next year the virus will be contained enough for your niece to have more friends over.
I also had a strawberry shortcake themed birthday party when I turned six – 37 years ago! I love that now my daughters are enjoying playing with strawberry shortcake dolls – and that nostalgic smell!!
What a fun coincidence!
Such a lovely party! As always, your sister-in-law is the expert! Amazing decor!
I just don’t get why your husband had never tried pink cupcakes? Strawberry is such a popular flavor, and the frosting is usually pink?
Thanks, Iris! I will tell her you said that. He’s not a huge fan of cake/cupcakes, so he doesn’t usually eat them. He’s more of an ice cream/milkshake person.
Ellie
I remember the Strawberry Shortcake dolls; they were an obscession for me for awhile. Brings back interesting memories, and processing life, and probably my parents feeling conflicted because me and one of my siblings were going to some extremes.
Anyway, glad the party worked out well.
I had a Strawberry Shortcakes birthday party when I was a kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved my cake, my wonderful Mother put a Strawberry Shortcakes plastic little SSC on my cake, and I still have it!!!!!! That was 1 of my fave of fave birthday parties!!!!! WOW U brought back a memory, thanks!!!!!!!! I love U Ellie, and I hope U are OK!!!!!!
Sorry, but I agree with some other commenters here who say it’s not worth the risk. A party for a six year old is not necessary. A party for the child could have been celebrated by her immediate family only. It’s not like this was a wedding that had been planned for months. I’m a widow who has desperately missed my family and friends during this time, but for the sake of others and myself we have limited contact. I’m glad you at least tried to mitigate the risks, but it’s still a risk, even just by perhaps someone touching something that someone else touched and contaminated…
I’m sorry first that you are a widow. My mom is like that so I know first hand all the pains of widowhood and would not wish that on anyone. Second, I’m sorry you can’t go on living normally. God is bigger than our fears. Take it to Him. He knows you’re a widow and He’ll take care of you if you give your life over to Him. You should never live in this much fear over a virus.
I would’ve loved to been at that party!!
What a fun birthday party. Strawberry Shortcake is a favorite of ours. We have kept our Strawberry things since our youth.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
I first thought Oh my, the icing has melted because its so hot outside. I never heard of a naked cake.Lol
Wow! How did your sis in law have the time and energy to throw a themed party after a move!? She is certainly a go-getter! Glad your niece had a special day that she will not soon forget.
The party looks like it was a lot of fun!
There is actually photos of Dr. Fauci online taken Thurs at a ball game with him sitting between his wife and another man, and the doc’s mask is under his chin. Hmm…….
Dr. Fauci has responded to that. He was with his wife and a close friend. He tested negative the day before. He was outside. And he was drinking water. It was perfectly reasonable for him to have his mask down for a short amount of time. The people who are using the picture to discredit him are no better than those who do similar things to President Trump.
So it’s ok to bash Ellie and others for going to a birthday party outside with social distancing but don’t say a word about the dr not social distancing? Maybe the party goers had been tested also but don’t want to share that much private info.
I didn’t bash Ellie, actually. I admire Ellie and enjoy reading about her life. I don’t always agree with her, and if I feel moved to say something when I don’t agree with her, I try to do it in a respectful way. There have been times when I really have not agreed with her, but I think we’ve been able to have a mature back and forth. In the case of this party, I would not have gone myself, but I did not criticize Ellie for going.
There is no hmmm about that. He had it on until he pulled it down to have some water. He clarified that himself. The other two people were masked, one being his wife, one being a friend, and there were no other people anywhere around them in the stands. He had a negative test the day before and obviously knew it was safe to be beside his wife and his friend. Did everyone at this birthday party have negative tests first? Did everyone have masks on except when they drank?
Thank you for sharing this! Love seeing pictures of Anne’s creative parties!
I remember Strawberry Shortcake dolls and I loved that smell! Anne did a marvelous job and I’m glad Anne’s little girl got to have a little party.
And everything looked so delicious too.
Anne did a good job with the Strawberry Shortcake party. I had the Strawberry Shortcake doll it smell like strawberries.