Happy Home Baking: Happy Children's Day

It's Children's Day today.

Initially I had planned to make a chocolate cake for the kids. However, two days ago, I was so inspired by what I have seen here, that I went on to make an edible 3D chocolate 'card', studded with little gems of colourful candies for them.

I used a bar of Meiji milk chocolate as base, and bought little boxes of Meiji candies from a nearby convenient store. Since the site is written in Japanese, I could only figure out that the candies must be 'glued' on with some melted chocolate. I was too lazy to melt any chocolate as I knew the amount to be used would be very little. So, I made use of the chocolate dip that came with the can of Meiji Yan Yan biscuits. I would love to use all things Meiji ;') but I added in some sour gummy bears and honey star cereals which I have on hand.

I am totally hopeless when it comes to anything that requires creativity and a certain level of design element. My left brain always works better than my right, so I could only assemble the candies in a very 'structured' manner :( Nevertheless, I have saved a bar of chocolate and would get the kids to make one for me, I am sure they will come up with something much better :)

They certain had fun sharing the 'card' together...it was an ultimate indulgence for the two of them.

I am sure you can make this for your love ones for any occasion, and it will be a great 'project' for the kids.

Just like the previous 3 years, we spent the morning at the Esplanade...the kids took part in the yearly drawing competition. The theme this year is "Dares to Dream"...and here are their master pieces:

To all the little ones out there, Happy Children's Day!

harshita – (1/10/08 6:22 pm): Hello,
Children's Day should be special for everyone because children are the future.
`
===================================
Rakesh
look4ward
martina – (1/10/08 6:52 pm): That's awesome!!! Don't blame yourself for your structured way of make it, I think your kids love it anyway and it's gorgeous for me too! Only a question: how do you eat it? I mean like a chocolate bar, grabbing all the candy first or what? Happy children day to your lovely boys and to all my 5+1 (to deliver) nephews and nieces! Martina
JY – (1/10/08 7:51 pm): Hi HHB,

I was there this morning too with the 2 kids.. this is the 1st time we go..& it's so clowded!
JY – (1/10/08 7:52 pm): Just to add:
I think they have drawn quite well. Did you stay till prize giving? We did not.
bakeAstory – (1/10/08 11:55 pm): what a lovely idea! Any child would love that.
Agatek – (2/10/08 4:45 am): Great picures :) and great chocolates :) wow
Happy Homebaker – (2/10/08 7:07 am): Harshita, how true!

Martina, the kids attacked the candies first, but they also tried breaking the bar into pieces and pop them into their mouth with the candies ;D

Hi JY, it was rather crowded this year, maybe this time it was held on a public holiday...in the past it was held on Sat mornings. I am sure your kids have fun. We didn't stay till prize giving either :)
Small Small Baker – (2/10/08 10:17 am): Love the colours of the chocolate card. And very nice drawings too. Happy children's day to your 2 boys! :)

Btw, what software did u use to join the photos in your 2nd picture? Just curious, hehe...
Happy Homebaker – (2/10/08 1:11 pm): Hi SSB, I used Picasa to do that. The latest version, version 3 has got this new feature in its collage function. You can download it for free and it's very easy to use. Just goggle 'Picasa 3' and u will get to the site. Have fun :)
Anne – (2/10/08 3:38 pm): The 3D chocolate card is so cute!..and the drawings of of your kids are very impressive surely you are very proud of them :)
4MalMal – (2/10/08 5:55 pm): wow this is sooo cool! but my duo (father and son) will LOVE IT, though i must say it may be too sinful for me.
your kids can draw very well and I think they are just like their mummy, very creative.
oh and when i told my hubby, who is more into photography than I am, that u used a G3 and just point and shoot, he thought was quite unbelievable! he thoguht that u used some kind of lighting to get the effect and blah blah blah...I am so not into the technical stuff of photography.
anyway, thanks for sharing and keep blogging!
Jade – (2/10/08 10:18 pm): Ooh! These look lovely! Any kids will be tempted to it!
Aimei – (2/10/08 10:28 pm): This is the first time I see a 3-d chocolate card. I would to indulge in it! Just pick whatever I want ...hehe. I like your kids' drawings..very original. :)
FAMILY FIRST – (3/10/08 10:47 am): Thanks for sharing a great and creative idea for the kids. Its been ages since I heard the word "Children's Day" ... some 30 odd years! Better start getting used to it now as my little one is 1.5 yrs and in a blink of an eye, will be at school soon!
sherlyn – (4/10/08 1:31 am): Wao, a very pretty card and its edible too .. can't be any better. I can't believe you said that you are not the creative type and you are not good in decorating a cake .. I think you did a very good job in this. Now, this gives me an idea .. perhaps melt a few bars of chocolate and use it as a base to oreo cake instead of oreo biscults haha (or has this idea been used before?) .. hmm so sinful.

I was there at esplanade too for the various free performances .. its my first time and I hope not the last .. so next year perhaps we have a gathering there ;-)
eliza – (5/10/08 1:43 pm): didn't know there's children's day! very colorful cake you made HBB. and the drawings your boys made, precious!
Elinluv – (6/10/08 11:44 am): Hi HHB,
Your kids are as creative as their Momsie! :)
Foodbox – (9/10/08 4:34 pm): too cute!
bakingnoob – – (18/10/08 1:28 pm): its so well done.and i must say from all ur previous posts your kids are really artistic
Anonymous – – (31/10/08 5:49 pm): Hi dear,

Have you ever tried making Dumpling? Can you guide us how to do? Thank you

Wendy
Happy Homebaker – (31/10/08 8:26 pm): Hi Wendy, no, I have not made dumplings, but I am sure there are bloggers out there who have shared their recipes :)