For anyone reading this and wondering why I bother with 3 birthday cakes... my philosophy on this is that my kids share everything else in their lives. Having their own birthday cake is a pretty simple indulgence.
Most people assume that my kids have the most fabulous birthday cakes of all time. One of my earliest semi-pro cakes was actually my kids' 2nd birthday cake - if I can dig up a photo I'll post it here, but suffice it to say that it was bloody fabulous (and it brought me to tears. All that damn piping!) In the intervening years, the kids have wanted pretty simple stuff - edible image cakes, that sort of thing. There were a few memorable moments - DS's full edible 3D elephant (complete with party hat!), DD2's "wedding cake" birthday cakes, the igloo with the penguin figurines and so on. On the whole, though, they've been much simpler than I would like.
Most years I find myself short on time and long on impatience so I end up creating things I'm not really all that happy with. My kids don't mind, though - because they get to pick the flavour and the colour/theme, and as long as I deliver on those fronts they are pretty happy. Personally, though, I'm always vaguely disappointed when we get to the big party and I'm looking at these cakes and thinking, "Eh. Could've done better." Every year I swear to myself that the next year I really WILL do better.
This year I have a secret weapon - namely, no party to worry about! Or, more correctly, a party which MIL is taking care of and my only official job is cake. In specific 4 cakes, as it's the kids cakes plus one for the grandparents (whose birthdays at at the same time of year, hence the shared party this year.) I asked the kids what they wanted, and all of them gave me very definite choices about flavour: chocolate/chocolate chip, coffee and chocolate, and caramel respectively. When it came to design, they all had minor requests - DS wanted a photo cake with him, his lovey and his dog... DD1 wanted something pink, DD2 wanted something with her beloved hoppy* on it, and the IL's didn't care as long as it involved fruit cake.
Hmmm.
All simple, right?
So can someone tell me how I've now ended up with 2 x 3 tiered cakes, and 2 x 2 tiered cakes? Yeah, I'm not so sure, either... but I think it might have something to do with that whole over achiever thing I've got going on. Either that, or I'm making up for lost time.
*Hoppy: DD2's much loved, now almost transparent bit of rag that she's dragged around since birth. Called "hoppy" because it's covered in little white rabbits.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Birthday Cakes
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5 comments:
I am so impressed with your posting frequency Em.
Was the hoppy something we whipped up? Just curious :-)
Anyway - just wanted to let you know that after we were about primary age, Julian and I usually had our own cakes - at least that is the way I remember it.
Can't wait, we will blow their socks off
Claire - I'm only posting lots because lately I have lots to say! Normally, as you know, I'm not as prolific as this. The hoppy isn't one of yours, BUT you will be happy to know that ALL the bunny rugs you made are all in regular use! We use them for covering up baby dolls, wrapping treasures in, and so on. I never thought they would last the distance but they certainly have and then some! Your polar fleece blankets with the star edging have also been in constant use since they were born. :) At the moment they are the favourite blankies for TV on the couch snuggling. :) - M
Kim: BRING IT ON, SISTAH! :) :)
M
Pictures???
Heidi: Just posted! See above!
M
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