It's the latest craze to find yourself busy beyond imaginably possible.  And, while I hate to admit it, I am a part of the nonsense.   Still, the stress of putting together all of these cake projects is worth it in the end just to see the smile on the birthday kid's face.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/?attachment_id=620" rel="attachment wp-att-620"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-620" alt="dinosaur egg cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cakes-003-001.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a>

Henry rang in the arrival of his 3rd birthday with a dinosaur themed party.  Guests took home their own special dinosaur egg! (We parents re-laern something everyday...I had long since forgotten that dinosaurs hatched from eggs!)  And, partygoers were sure to enjoy the brontosaurus cake crafted from vanilla buttercream, white chocolate mousse, and vanilla cake.

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Our next birthday girl's mom special ordered all of her party decor to go along with little Mila's current fascination with dolphins.  Inside this dolphin shaped vanilla cake is a tempting strawberry jam.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/?attachment_id=622" rel="attachment wp-att-622"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-622" alt="dolphin cake" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cakes-012-002.jpg" width="355" height="500" /></a>

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My cousin's son, Owen, celebrated his 8th birthday with a Mario Bros. party...So, I volunteered to make cookie favors.  Now, these were fun to make!

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/?attachment_id=624" rel="attachment wp-att-624"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-624" alt="mario bros cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/smothered-pork-010.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a>