Birthday Cakes throughout the Years

February 19, 2007 KME 8 Comments

I am NOT a cake decorator. Both my mother and my mother in law have studied cake decorating and made beautiful cakes over the years. My mil worked for a caterer for several years and is an extremely talented baker. She made our wedding cake – I should say cakes since there were NINE of them in all (each a different flavor, of course) – and did a fabulous (and delicious) job.

This picture doesn’t do the cakes justice as they were gorgeous. Mom E., I STILL like the dark green leaves!

With this much raw skill in the family, it’s a shame that I am such a poor cake decorator myself. One time my mother in law came and presented a cake decorating class for my Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. Where was I? Working in the Moppets department. I missed the entire thing. Sigh.

David’s one year old birthday cake. That year everyone got their own little, individual cakes.

A neat and tidy eater that made us all proud. “Somebody get me a washcloth and hurry!”

When it comes to birthday cakes I try to outsource this job as often as possible. With five children, however, this can get quite expensive. Thankfully my children’s grandmother is as kind and generous as she is talented and we’ve received some beautiful birthday cakes over the years. Last year she even made Tim’s birthday cake. I know some people would be upset that their mother in law made their husband’s cake (boundary issues and all of that) but I was more than thrilled. She makes the BEST Black Forest cake that is truly Tim’s favorite cake ever. What a great birthday present!

Age 2 – David obviously remembers the chocolate cake fiasco from last year’s birthday party and is a bit wary. Where is that washcloth?

Thankfully Daniel is right there to help.

There are times, however, when a girl needs to step up to the plate (so to speak) and make the birthday cake for her own child. Or at least find a decent cake at the grocery store – whatever it takes. Today was one of those days!

I don’t know what to say here. Looks like a panCAKE to me. He’s one excited three year old.

Whew, I wasn’t sure he’d be able to actually blow this one out. Good job, little guy.

Rachel, Daniel, Sarah and I set out for the store to buy the perfect cake for David. Hmmm. We came up with less than spectacular options. The cakes were either totally bland looking (not much to excite a 6 year old there) or expensive (you want HOW much for some flour, sugar and eggs?). There were some impressive cakes in the display book but, um, that doesn’t really work when you’re a ‘last minute’ kind of mother. You have to plan ahead if you’re going to get something fancy like that. Also, I’m sure those are way too expensive (boy, that is some NICE colored frosting there – how much did that cost me?).

David is four! Oreos and licorice cover a multitude of inadequacies in the cake decorating department.

Notice Daniel is, once again, right there to “help” when needed.

In a fit of “I can DO IT Myself-itis” I rejected all the cakes behind the counter and led the children to the baking supplies aisle. There are certain people who should never say “I can do this better/just as cheaply/prettier/fill in blank” – at least not without a laugh track playing in the background. I am normally not this optimistic (or cheap) but something about those plastic looking cakes filled me with a renewed sense of baking confidence. No doubt it was all the high fructose corn syrup in the air – addles the brain.

David is 5!! He had a race car birthday party complete with a race track birthday cake. Note the excessive sprinkles and crumbled Oreos that cover most of the cake.

Armed with a cake mix, a can of frosting, a box of pudding, a tube of decorator icing, and a fancy candle (and this is home-made how??) we set out to make David a birthday cake worthy of his lofty six years.

A friend from my homeschooling e-mail loop shared a cake recipe from the Confessions of a Pioneer Woman website. The entry is called the best chocolate cake ever and she includes beautiful, crisp pictures of each step of the recipe. She is obviously a talented photographer as well as a witty writer. I haven’t tried out her recipe but it looks divine.

I was inspired by her descriptive blog and decided to copy her technique. [As if this blog wasn't long enough already.]

This is the creation of David’s birthday cake for 2007.

The humble ingredients.

The first cake, top cut off to create a level surface, ready for filling.

The chocolate pudding filling with a little cookie help to give it some added crunch (and up the chocolate factor).

The top layer is on.

The frosting choice of the day.

And on it goes.

Almost done – starting to look pretty.

Now for some real decorating – how easy can you get? No bags to mess with. Just change the frosting tip (included with the can) and off you go. Ah, this is the life.

My attempt at “stars.”

Add a little writing and we’re almost there. Thank you, Betty Crocker.

Add some candles, a little bit of red, white and blue sprinkles and we are all set.

Everyone gave this cake a big thumbs up rating. David left one bite on his plate and told us all he didn’t want to eat too much, as he was going to “try and be healthy.” Good job, Buddy! Way to be healthy. We won’t count the samples, the spoon from the cake batter, the ‘practice’ cookie with pudding, and the frosting spatula that found its way into your mouth.

Happy Birthday, David!

Being a true son of his mother, David has been more than happy to extend his birthday from Friday on through the weekend. He called it his birthday all day today; after all, we hadn’t had the cake yet and cake equals party in his mind. He even managed to finagle permission to sleep on the floor from his father (“since it’s my birthday, Daddy.”). He’s obviously learned from the best about stretching celebrations out. Lol!

Kathy

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P365 – Day 50 (Daniel’s Haircut)

February 19, 2007 KME 5 Comments

I’m going to try something truly novel this evening – a short Project 365 post. There are lots of other ladies on the Project 365 webring who manage to post a SINGLE picture and include just a line or two (at most a paragraph) for their daily blog.

Of course, I’m not being completely sincere (or honest) since I have a stack of pictures loaded for a different blog. [rubbing hands with glee and chortling] This one, however, is going to be short and sweet. The next one is going to be sweet as well but not so short.

All of the boys in the household (yes, those sweet innocent dears from the previous post who burn Peeps, send Noah flying to the sky, and brandish weapons whenever possible) need hair cuts. Normally I would line them up and do the whole crew in one evening. Stack ‘em, pack ‘em, and chop ‘em??? [That's a botched version of another Obscure Movie Quote "Stack em, pack 'em, and rack 'em". Anyone know that one??]

On to the (short) blog. Somehow all the relaxing and playing we did today took a lot of time and energy so I only managed to cut Daniel’s hair.

He’s smiling (barely) but I don’t think I’m going to get a nice tip after this cut.

Hopefully the rest of the boys will have their turn tomorrow night. We can’t have these handsome fellas looking shaggy. We had a nice President’s Day. Tim declared “Holiday Hours” and we watched movies, played computer games, blogged, paid bills (okay some things are more fun than others), went grocery shopping, decorated a birthday cake, and so on.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 49 Noah’s Terrible Journey

February 19, 2007 KME 7 Comments

There is a blessing that comes from growing up with three brothers – you have years of understanding that can only come through experience. Boys = wrestling, fighting, admiration of strange bodily noises and odors, explosions of all kinds, insects, speed based food eating contests, expectoration, wild driving (from tricycles, scooters, and bikes to mopeds, motorcycles and cars) and so on.

I distinctly remember my mother saying (more than once), “If you boys are going to kill each other go downstairs so I can make dinner.”

I have been amazed to hear the strangest things come out of my own mouth.

“In this family we do NOT sit on the top of the bed and spit down into the bottom bunk.”
“No, you may not use a screw driver to cut down a tree.”
“Next time take off your rollerblades before you ride your bike down the driveway.”
No, you may not take apart that chair, I’m sitting on it.”
“How much blood are we talking about?”
“Put your brother’s gun down.”
“Put your brother down.”
“Put me down.”

I could go on but my eye begins to twitch just remembering some of these ‘hearty’ boy encounters. People often talk about their children needing therapy when they grow up – I think it’s mothers of boys who will be lounging on the dr’s leather couch one day. Of course, who needs the doctor, I’d be content just to have some time (uninterrupted, PLEASE!) on a comfy couch. But I digress.

Time ater time I have thanked the Lord for giving me brothers. Without them I would surely think my sons are crazy, sick, abnormal creatures who should be rushed to the doctor. Why would you pop the head off of innocent looking dolls? Why would you sharpen a branch into a pointed weapon and immediately charge upon your beloved brother? Why would you turn a simple chore of putting away silverware into an imaginary duel between knives and forks? Why would you want to send Noah flying to the sky?

Oh, that brings me to Sunday’s post.

For his birthday Joshua bought David an Air Hogs Scream’n Stream’n Rocket from Target. The kids had all sorts of fun going outside and shooting off the rockets. It works great – the rockets fly high into the air.

Boys also = running, screaming, shouting, and shooting. Explosions, again, are always key.

We had a very full Sunday, ending in Bible study at our house. The kids behaved beautifully – they played nicely (and quietly) in the garage while we watched our Love and Respect dvd. Afterwards one family stayed late and joined us for dinner and games. The grownups played cards.

Tim humbly points out his winning score.

The girls played upstairs. Joshua set up a huge battlefield for David.

At some point in the evening, as the hour grew late and the children squirelly, Joshua and David, in a bond of bizarre brotherhood, decided to study scripture (this being the sabbath and all). The passage they chose was from Genesis 6.

God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

Teaching through illustration and acting is often a very powerful tool and one we encourage in our family. Joshua, being the wise and mature older brother, came up with an idea of how to help David more fully understand these verses in Genesis.

Apparently the practices of these people were even more debased and bloodthirsty then we suspected.

David (no doubt unwillingly) agreed to play the part of some of Noah’s tormentors.

Noah, I’m afraid these are terrible times.

After such troubles some quiet, peaceful time on an ark full of animals doesn’t sound so bad.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 48 (Going to the Zoo)

February 17, 2007 KME 12 Comments

This is NOT David’s birthday blog. Sounding a bit like a broken record here. Sorry. I haven’t forgotten David. I have LOTS of great pictures from his birthday (which, in our family, never lasts only ONE day). I just haven’t written his blog yet. Truth be told I was hoping Tim would jump in and post about David. I would provide the pictures (more than anyone could possibly want to see) and he would provide the pithy, insightful, deep, loving blog. Doesn’t that sound great. Ha! Surely we can come up with 6 things about David that are worth blogging. [Grin]

David and Sarah on the zoo playground.

The sun was shining when we woke up this morning. For the children it was probably before 8 am but for the grownups in the house it was deliciously close to, or maybe even after, 9 am. We truly have the best children in the world – they know how to be QUIET on Saturday mornings and let their dear old parents sleep in.

Tim and I wanted to do a fun outing for David’s birthday (since we weren’t throwing him a party this year). Somehow, however, over the last two weeks we’ve done all the things we had in mind for celebrating his b-day. First David suggested McDonald’s Playland. Yes! That would be great. Cheap, easy, relatively painless. Then my folks came to town and we went to McD’s for lunch. Hmmm. Check that box. Next we thought of a trip to the theater. Perfect, we haven’t been to the movies in months. We got on the computer and watched previews from Charlotte’s Web and Night at the Museum, debating about which to see. Then Tim’s parents called, out of the blue, and invited us to a viewing of Charlotte’s Web. How could we resist? Hmmm. Another box checked.

What to do? What to do?

Look at that sunshine! Yes, this picture was taken in February! In Washington! Truly amazing. No wonder there were hundreds of people at the zoo today.

The big kids had their eyes set on a fun center of some sort (like Chuck E. Cheese). When Tim and I saw the sun trying to get through our blinds, waking us up at the wonderfully late hour of 9 am (I’m obviously still savoring the memory of sleeping in this morning) we thought maybe a trip to the zoo would be fun.

Joshua is WAY too tall for these group shots. Again, note the WA sunshine. Sarah can’t even keep her eyes open.

The big kids fixed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while Tim threw in extras for lunch (crackers, fruit, treats, etc). I made myself a salad and off we went. We had a great time at the zoo. The weather was perfect! Sunny and warm. There was a huge crowd of people at the zoo today. It was a popular outing. We renewed our family membership (with three free visitor passes – come and join us) and spent the morning/early afternoon at the zoo.

With a family of our size a membership pays for itself in one and a half visits. The only downside is our zoo doesn’t have a reciprocal relationship with the Detroit Zoo which would have been nice since we hope to visit MI this summer. Oh well. Perhaps we can go to the Lansing zoo instead and see my brothers. Thom and Phil – consider yourself sufficiently warned!

We saw all sorts of animals. Rachel took several of these pictures. The kids are all becoming photographers in their own right.

Rachel took this amazing shot! The polar bear was one of the favorite animals of the day.

Are you looking at me?

Of course, there were some close moments when we were almost eaten by the fierce tiger. Somehow we managed to survive.

Being the smart parents that we are (and ready to go home) we left some parts of the zoo unseen. Keep the kids hungry, I always say. If you cover the entire zoo on the first day, how will you convince the children to go back? Especially if their last memory was of being tired and having sore feet. Instead we ended the zoo visit with a great show in the outdoor auditorium.

On the way home we stopped by Trader Joes. In keeping with my ‘keep them hungry‘ motto I sent Tim and the kids to McDonald’s for ice cream sundaes while I shopped. This is part of my ‘keep them full and distracted while mom shops‘ plan.

Don’t they look hungry. Definitely a group that wants to end the zoo outing at Trader Joe’s/McDonald’s.

Everyone happy and contented we set off for home. The rest of the day was a blur of cleaning, computer games, movie watching, a super speedy library visit, delicious cheeseburger soup, laundry, baths, and so on. None of which were documented on film therefore do not get more than a brief mention here on the blog.

I take pictures – therefore I blog. Another significant life motto.

“It’s not tipping I believe in, it’s OVER tipping.” Name that Obscure Movie Quote.

Happy Birthday David!! This is not your birthday blog but I can still wish you a happy day. [grin]

Kathy

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P365 – Day 47 (Co-Op & Friends)

February 17, 2007 KME 4 Comments

This is NOT David’s birthday blog. This is my daily Project 365 posting (slightly behind since it’s Friday’s set of pictures). Just wanted to clarify things as I’m not going to post any pictures of David’s day of birthday celebrating.

We had a busy day of homeschooling co-op. I am teaching three classes for co-op this semester. Rachel is in two of my classes, Sarah, Daniel and Joshua one (but not the same one) and David none. Rachel has made some new friends this semester and is thoroughly enjoying them. The friendship is new but the family is not – we’ve both been at the co-op for several years. I guess the girls haven’t overlapped classes prior to this semester. How pleasant to discover some new friends.

In one of my classes we’re going through the Young Peace Makers curriculum in one class. I am co-teaching with a great homeschooling mom. She and I take turns each week preparing and presenting the different lessons. We have both been surprised at how much the kids enjoy participating in the class. Much of the teaching is done through skits and charades. The students LOVE this and beg for parts in the mini-plays. The first thing they say as we come to class is “Are we going to be doing any acting today??” Here is a pictures of Rachel working on the Bible verse of the week.

After co-op we brought our poor, vehicle-less friends home with us. The grown-ups played a game of Citadels. Tim was off work so he joined us.

At this point I should note the winner of the day’s game – ME!! Yes, I know normally I would be too modest to mention this fact but I just had to point it out. Oh, I guess I did happen to sneak in “mention” of my win in another blog or two. That is the prerogative of being the writer of the blog (or blogger) – you can report the important facts as need be. With this group of cut-throat players, you have to grab whatever win you can. We won’t go into the fact that two of the players were totally new to the game and the other fact that we didn’t really finish the game (ran out of time) so I only sort of won. Hmmm, that seriously detracts from my great victory but if I conceal those two little tidbits my lovely dh (desiring to keep this blog honest and me humble) would certainly post a comment or two giving the ‘bigger picture.’

Back to the afternoon’s events. David told me that he really wanted some new soldiers for his birthday (we won’t go into the fact that we already have hundreds of those little soldiers – I guess none of them were David’s so he wanted his own collection. Sigh). Tim surprised David with a package of soldiers at co-op. Daniel, David and Adam played some complicated game involving the new soldiers and various cannons. They stopped long enough to pose for a few pictures.

Rachel and Abby also had an army of soldiers set up in Rachel’s room. Their game, however, involved dolls and a castle. The soldiers were body guards of some sort, I would imagine.