i know some think its a little much to go crazy for a first birthday,
but truth be told, i have waited a long time to have a place i felt like i could have a party,
and a kid to throw one for…

since he loves all things nerdy like his geekish mom and dad, it just seemed fitting…
and i had read all about ideas people did based on things their kids’ love…
and well, that was it.
iparty it is!

the invite was a no-brainer. nerd + apple… make your adults dress up…
{i will post the fotos from the booth later – they were awesome}

iphone cake:
the fondant is so easy to do.
i had done it before for a shower,
but wanted the rest of the frosting to go down easy.

i use pastry pride {topping} for frosting
that you get at smart n final.
just whip it up.
like a light cool whip meant for cake. so yum.

then the fondant is, ready for this?
melted marshmallow and powdered sugar.
really? really.
so just do it and stop whining.

and we used food color gel to mix in for colors.

if i did it again, i would have done a button and everything,
so it looked more like an iphone, but you get the idea.

then something healthy AND nerdy…

we also had [micro]-chips & dips that were yummy
{not pictured}

my mom whipped up this naughty recipe of mac n cheese for the “mac minis”
adapted from a panera-style recipe and baked in cups. easy peasy.
and the yummiest stuff i’ve had in a long long time.
so i will share it will you:

Panera Mac Minis

  • 11 oz medium pasta shells
  • 5 TB butter
  • 4 TB flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4oz grated sharp Vermont white cheddar cheese (use more cheddar and less American if it’s mild cheddar)
  • 4oz white American cheese, crumbled
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of white pepper
  • whole wheat ritz
  • Pyrex or microwave safe cups
  • Microwave
  • Whisk
  • Dish for serving
  1. Boil pasta shells until just cooked and tender. Drain.
  2. In a microwave safe cup or bowl, microwave on high 5 TB butter with 4 TB flour for 2 minutes, stopping halfway to whisk. Whisk again when the roux is done after the second minute.
  3. Mix 1 cup milk and 1 cup heavy cream together. Pour mixture into the roux very slowly, whisking all the time.
  4. Microwave mixture 1 minute at a time, stirring between minutes until the sauce becomes thick and creamy. (should take between 4 and 6 minutes)
  5. While sauce is hot, add grated cheddar and American cheese in small handfuls while stirring to melt all cheese into the sauce. If all of the cheese does not melt completely, you can heat the whole mixture up a little bit and keep stirring.
  6. The sauce should be liquid-y (is that a word?) and creamy, and have a taste that is not too sharp. You want to taste the cheddar but not have it be overpowering.
  7. Season sauce with a pinch of white pepper and a pinch of salt. Mix pasta shells and sauce together in serving dish.
  8. Top with buttered Ritz crumbs and pop in the oven at 350 for a few minutes until the topping crisps up.
  9. Take to a party where everyone will devour in 30 seconds because its naughty naughty naughty.

i will have to post the people fotos later,
but lets just say, the B’s first round of cake went over just fine…