Thought I’d add these afterthoughts since it’s apropos to my message. 

I have never been good at cake or cupcake decorating before I tried my hand at creating the Angry Birds Cupcakes.  The most I’ve done is a nice sprinkle job but I really thought the kids would get a kick out of them, so I gave it a try.  The first 4 took me as long as the remaining 20.  But I figured out an assembly line kind of way and really cranked out the last dozen.  The kids recognized them and they were a hit.  They definitely weren’t perfect, but not bad for my first try. 

So…  if you think your kids won’t eat a new food or nervous about cooking something new, just try it.  You might be pleased with the outcome. 

And, most people know that I hate artificial colors.  Obviously the cupcakes were not colored with natural ingredients.  But I couldn’t find anything (within a day/two of the fair) in my area, so I went ahead and made them with the artificial stuff.  I believe a treat now and then isn’t going to harm them too much and it was for a special event.  I would have preferred natural, but made do.  And the aggravation and worry of being strict isn’t always worth it.   Just remember to make it a rare treat and not a daily occurrence. 

Balance the good stuff to be the majority of their diet.