BABY LLOYD SHOWER

i was so honored to be asked to help with a shower for one of my dear friends...of course, i had a spreadsheet ready to go with inspirations and my game plan. what's great about spring baby showers is that there's an easy theme that can come of the easter holiday...baby birds and eggs! luckily, this also correlated with their wedding theme, which was penguins - since they mate for life. i wish i could say that i've upped my creative skills and made the cake pictured above, but that was offered up by baby lloyd's soon-to-be great aunt. she was thoughtful enough to copy the bird theme from the invitation.

the shower was held at the mother-to-be's in-law's in woodsy portola valley on a sunny day. her sister and i provided the decor, desserts, and appetizers, while grandma lloyd provided lunch. 

upon walking in, guests were greeted with a wishing tree. i found these great metallic eggs and tied yarn around them. guests wrote their blessings and wishes for the new family and baby that they can keep as decoration in the baby room.

on the front table, there was also this amazing diaper stroller that bri's sister, barb, created - she has taken diaper objects to the next level!

in the stroller i added a personalized bodysuit, "lloyd 12". i would've put his first name, but no one knows what it is yet. no, she's not keeping it a secret. it's samoan tradition (or is it mormon?) that the father-to-be's father gets to name the first born. he's been joking that he's really be fond of "alfonzo" - so, we'll see what happens with that :)

what is a baby shower nowadays without a diaper cake? i mean, once i saw the diaper stroller, this felt so inadequate, but it was still necessary.

so, for the goodies, i made easy, go-tos: salted caramel chocolate cookies, smore's bars, & oreo pops. the most popular of the trio were the smore's bars.

the reason i went for treats that were tried and true was because i was trying something new with the favors. i've had haystack cookies before, but didn't realize they also kind of look like bird nests, especially when you add cadbury eggs to them.

BIRD NEST COOKIES

posted on art of desserts on march 28, 2010

• 12 oz chow mein noodles
• 12 oz butterscotch chips (i actually used 18 oz)
• 90 egg-shaped candies (cadbury eggs, robin egg chocolate malts, jelly bean, etc)

line a baking sheet with parchment paper. melt butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring after every increment. repeat until melted.

add chow mein noodles and mix until well-coated.

use a 1/4 measuring cup to portion out the cookies onto the baking sheet. shape into nests, making sure noodles are sticking together. place 3 eggs into nests. allow to set for at least 5 mins before transferring or serving.

i believe bri had a great time sharing in this special moment with the people she loves. we all can't wait to meet him! 

to baby lloyd,

you are so blessed and lucky to soon be born to the most wonderful parents! they have the most genuine souls, the warmest hearts, and unconditional love. they will be your best guides into this world, they will lead you in the right direction, and help you be the best man you can be. may you have your mother's free spirit and your father's perseverance, and both their love for life & adventure!

love, aunt marj & uncle e