My Birthday Celebration (Part One)

What an amazing & incredible experience I had this weekend for my birthday! Don & the girls had surprises for me left & right. I could not even stand it! First off they took me to have breakfast at the Terrace Cafe.

That's what I ordered ;-)  

Cookies for our big girl :-)

    We were even joined by a "Sleeping Beauty"

From there we headed to storytime.  Papa dropped Gianna & I off while he took care of Sophia.  It was nice getting to spend some one-on-one time with her :-)  I love you my little girl! 

 And just when I thought that things couldn't get any better....Don and the girls brought me here:

 

Don & the girls dropped me off at the Bar Cocoa in Uptown Charlotte for a private cooking class with one of their head pastry chefs.

But before going down to our cooking class, our teacher, Chef Jeanette, gave us a tour of the restaurant and facilities.  Chef Jeanette, helped to construct the chocolate dress that you see here on this mannequin.

The lobby.

Part of our "behind the scenes" tour included going into their pastry kitchen.  This is a chef preparing some of their "special occassions" cakes:)

Another chef doing some of the day's "prep work".

And last but not least we ended up in the kitchen that we were going to be working in.  Let me describe it in three words:

chocolate, chocolate, chocolate....

Chocolate cookbooks

Chocolate pieces

Chocolate sculptures

And more chocolate sculptures..

There was chocolate EVERYWHERE!  We were there however to eat learn how to make some of signature delicasies.  Italian desserts to be specific.

There's our instructor, Chef Jeanette, explaining the assignment.

 Our tools.

 Our recipes.

After spending a few hours learning how to make homemade lady fingers, zeppolis, tiramisu, apple crostadas and pastry cream we were sent home with boxes of the treats that were made during class, our bar cocoa apron, chefs hat, and recipes.

It was truly an amazing experience and one that I will NEVER forget~ thank you, Don, Gianna & Sophia, for celebrating me & for making this a truly unforgettable birthday!!  xoxo -Mama