GAMES FOR CHILDREN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XIV, 2 April 1898, Page 431

GAMES FOR CHILDREN.

A SIMPLE PATTY-PAN PARTY. One little girl of nine did so want to have a real birthday party, but when people live in the country it is not always easy to plan and prepare for company. Nannie’s mamma, however, finally hit on a plan, and down she went to the village store and bought a dozen ami a half bright tin patty-pans, nine tin cups and some tiny notepaper and envelopes. And that same day Nannie wrote eight invitations as follows: *My Dearest Friend, —Next Tuesday is my birthday. lam nine. Come over ami play with me at my party at three o’clock in the afternoon. Be sure ami come early. —Your Friend, Nannie. P.S. —Wear your everyday dress and apron.’ Promptly at three o’clock the next Tuesday eight little girls in clean aprons arrived and sat solemnly down in the parlor. Then Nannie’s mamma told them that the party was to lie in the kitchen, and some one suggested * Candy Pull.’ That magic word hurried them out to the kitchen. And there on the table were nine groups of things, each one consisting of a bowl, a tin cup, a soup-plate, a crimped patty-pan, a tablespoon, a teaspoon and doll spoon ami fork. On a smaller table near by stood sugar, eggs and other ingredients, while a brisk fire burned in the range.

‘ Now,’ said Nannie's mamma, ‘ we will all go to woik and make our own cakes and custards for tea, and see how- well we can do it. I want each little girl to have something nice to take home to show her mother what a good housekee|>er she can be. No one knows, until she tries, how much fun it is to cook.’ The children were delighted at the prospect, and examined their groups of dishes. Then each child was given half a cup of sugar in the Imiwl, and a lump of butter, ami was taught how to lieat them together well ; then the yolk of an egg was added, the white lieing put in the soup plate to be whipped light with a fork later. Then a little flour. two table*|>oonfuls of sweet milk, and two doll sjaionfuls of linking powder after the rest of a teacupful of Hour had l>een stirred in. When it eame to lieating the whites the little arms grew tired, and it seemed as if those whites never would stand alone, but at last they were added to the batter, which was whisked with a tablespoon until it bubbled. In order to have each cake different a tablespoonful of grated coeoanut for one, the same of chocolote for another, some currants, ]>oundedalmonds, chopped raisinsand citron and lemon )>eel, spices, lemon juice, and pink colouring and vanilla were arranged. When all was ready a teaspoonful of batter was put in each buttered patty-pan, all set in a large pan and put in the oven. Mamma attended to the baking, and verysoon each little girl had two pretty, crinkled cakes for her very own. Then came the boiled custard, with a cup of milk put on to heat in the tin cup, an egg ami two tablespoonfuls of sugar beaten together, meanwhile the laiiling milk poured on the mixture and well stirred liefore putting back in the tin cup to thicken. While the custard and cakes were cooling the children ran ont to the garden ami gathered jonquils and violets for the table, which they helped Nannie’s mamma to arrange with her pretty china dishes. When the flowers were all arranged and everything looked lovely, a surprise came in the shape of a beautiful birthday cake with nine candles around the edge and one to grow on in the middle. Also several dishes of candles, nuts, preserves and sandwiches appeared. By that time the custard was cool enough to flavour, and all sat down to enjoy themselves, which they did most heartily*. After tea, when the candles had lieen blown out, the big cake cut and tasted, ami going home time had come, each little girl’s own private opinion was that the dear little cake, which she was about to carry home to her mother in a new pattypan, was the best part of the party.