Yesterday, in fact, was the big day, which practically makes this a real-time post. Bully for me!
Zeke got up early and readied the birthday couch, and then he prepared hot chocolate and yogurt for her early morning snack.
I don't know when it happened, but birthdays have definitely become formal dress occasions on Mt. Hunger. The fancier, the better!
Breakfast was sausage, milk from a neighbor, and this coffee cake (cinnamon sugar doubled...unhealthy!...and homemade whole yogurt in place of sour cream...healthy!). It is amazing coffee cake, though we probably should drop the "coffee" and just call it cake.
Since she's claimed all dessert-making in the house (lucky for me!), Millie made a lemon-blueberry cake the day before while I fiddled around making funny creatures out of marshmallow fondant. Then on her birthday while Cadence napped, I made frosting and finished it up. It was a leisurely process. I should always stretch birthday cakes over two days! The only casualty was one broken bunny ear, which I smushed back together in time.
Cadence's cakes have become progressively goofier, and this is the first year that she requested something that reflects more of her self. The first year was a pretty deer cake for a pretty, little baby. The next, a pretty flower cake for a pretty, little toddler. Last year, a funny bunny for a Funny Bunny, and this year?
She wanted a pang-pang cake with pang-pangs in ice and snow and an igloo...and a BUNNY SWIMMING, because that's what bunnies do best when they're vacationing in the South Pole.
I haven't given her any birthday presents yet, so suffer through 2 dozen pictures of this sweet girl with her cake.
Guess who's the funny bunny?
Skylark is very sly.
After pizza, salad, and presents...more pictures of the birthday girl with a cake!
It has been a big year for Cadence. She is maturing beyond constant weeping and starting to become bold enough to share what's in her marvelous mind, which is like watching a light shine through the crack of an opening door. I have especially enjoyed the contrast between her quiet nature and that of her wild little sister, and watching her stoop to hug Skylark in the morning is a gift.
We love you, Cadence Octavia! May the joy of the Lord be your strength. May you hold that truth deep in your heart always. We love you, darling!
Aw, sweet! I feel a painful pang occasionally of how little I know your youngest ones. She's a beautiful girl.
ReplyDeleteWow, how do you make a cake like that? I have no idea how you created the penguin and bunny (or the igloo)!
For some reason the picture with Piper in it, with her face turned to the side like that, I could see a little bit of a resemblance to Annika.
Millie resembles you in the last picture. (and very lovely!)
If it makes you feel better, Cadence is hard to get to know and has just started unfolding her personality more for us. Skylark on the other hand...it'll only take one visit. ;)
ReplyDeleteI made the goofy animals from homemade marshmallow fondant, which is a mix of melted marshmallows, water, powdered sugar, flavoring, and coloring. It's super-easy to make, and with your sculpting ability, you could make some GORGEOUS edible creations. The igloo is molded rice crispy treats covered with more fondant.
Those girls ARE lovely, no matter who they look like...even if it's me :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sweet Cadence!
ReplyDeleteLooks like she had a glamorous day! ;-)
The cake is superb. AMAZING. (And looks like it was FUN to sculpt!) But I will say this- you have just upped the ante quite a bit by making a table-top sprawling cake. Not sure you can ever go back to a mere single humble cake. Just sayin'.
Every day is glamorous when you have ALL your church dresses at your disposal and no place to go on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that board is the same one I've used for cakes before-- like Nixie's pirate, nearly life-size. The older the children get, the fewer chances I have to make cake at all, though, so you'd better believe I'm going to do something fun while I still can. :)
Wow! That pirate is amazing! I had forgotten about him!
ReplyDeleteI came back to see if there were any recent updates, and just got sucked into this post.
ReplyDeleteHow can she be 4 already?!? FOUR? Wow.
That cake is amazing and SO FUN.
Sending love to you all!
Love right back! Lord willing, in person once you're ready to be visited by Phaedra-starved people! :)
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