Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Decorating The Pink Birthday Cake

When Elise asked for a pink cake during Vacation Bible School week, I sighed.

I don't think Pepperidge Farm makes pink cakes.

Just kidding.

We whipped a pint of cream with fresh strawberry puree and used it to frost an angel food cake.

I held my breath when Andrew wanted to get fancy with the decorating tips. The soft pink cloud began to look like a pile of fat pink worms.

I tried my best to freeze the moment in the way all mothers do. Watching their heads bent in concentration, debating the placement of each strawberry slice.

No Playdoh gift set could have diverted them from this important work.

We decorated our own cake to save money, but we learned, once again, that the real joy is in creating.

35 comments:

celina from canada said...

You said YES instead of no..wow...you must be proud..i am finding it much harder...

An Adventurer in the World said...

bravo!

You knew this was coming: where'd you find those quilts!?

deb meyers

Unknown said...

How sweet is that! Creating memories as well as cake is always a bonus!

Sara said...

Meredith, she is SO darn cute!

Nancy said...

Good for you! I know those kids were proud of what they created. That's priceless. And better than any Pepperidge Farm cake!

Kylie's Mom said...

Homemade cakes decorated with love taste way better than that glow-in-the-dark frosting from the bakery anyway :)

Happy birthday, little one :D

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

Seems to me you said YES! And I bet the kids thought it was the best cake ever!

GoodPlans said...

I'm cheering for you! I love saying yes. Thanks for reminding me once again that "perfect" is not important, but achievement is!

Mrs. Darling said...

For the first time ever my 12 year old made my birthday cake with no prompting fromme. She got her 8 year old brother to help frost it and it turned out lovely! It was a good feeling to let the kids go at it on their own! Good for you!

Soon, Then said...

So cute. These are the thing they will remember as adults. Fond memories... so worth it!

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

So precious, those moments. I have to add *deep breath* to that moment when I try to freeze frame... let go the mess, let go the ideals... and embrace the joy!

Happy, happy birthday, sweet Elise!

Workin' MAMA! said...

I know you are one proud mama!
As I sip my morning coffee, I have to strongly admit:
That cake looks YUMMMMMMY!

Makes me think about the time I let children place choc frosting and oreo cookies all over one cake I let them decorate -

It was so fun!

You have once again shown us that the best things in life are "free!"

Ahhhh...Blessed memories for everyone!

latrice

Rosemary said...

*Love* the pink birthday cake... so intently decorated with *love*... Thanks also for mentioning the Queen's Tea... I enjoy sharing so that everyone can 'attend' the tea whether they are there or not!
Nancy

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

I think it's really sweet that you let them help decorate the birthday cake rather than worrying about it looking perfect. What fun for them!

Oh, and I think Elise is a real sweetie, but I like her even more now that I know she likes pink! A girl after my own heart.

TJ said...

What fun! We found cupcake note cards on clearance at Michael's for 47 cents a piece, and matching small plates and napkins. I tend to make cupcakes as it saves the mess, and my daughter was thrilled with the idea of her cupcakes and matching cupcake plates.

I think the strawberry cake looks and sounds wonderful, which is strange since I don't really care for strawberries. Must be the babies' idea!

Amanda on Maui said...

Oh gosh, her dress reminds me of one I had when I was a little girl. It had similar stitching, but had balloons all over it. I loved that dress.

Help her cherish these moments as you do.

Unknown said...

They have the joy of creating a delicious, beautiful cake, and you get the joy of co-creating (with God) beautiful, joyful children. I will have to file away the idea of strawberry puree with whipping cream--YUM!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Fabulous pink Birthday Cake! Happy
Birthday to your sweet girl. Jackie

Lisa Page Rosenberg said...

Fabulous cake! The ones that looks like they were fun to make always taste the best...

Debra said...

That looks yummy! And soooo much better than a store bought cake. And you can't ever erase those memories. :)

Heather said...

What a neat frosting idea. My sister is diabetic and we always had homemade angel food with whipped cream and crushed strawberries. Same flavors, but what pretty looking whipped cream!

I will pass on the idea to her and I have no doubt that we will use at a family birthday when we are all together! Thanks for the inspriation.

Heather

Tami said...

great job saying yes, my kids love to bake and at 5 1/2 and almost 4 they know their way around the kitchen...it brings me such joy to share this with them.

Aimee said...

What a beautiful birthday party. Very fit for a precious little girl. Elise must have loved all the pink!

Janel said...

Sweet, sweet, sweet. Love it! : )

Tubo Family said...

Sounds delicious and what wonderful memories those will be.

Dawn said...

That frosting sounds absolutely divine!

Susan said...

Elise is such a beautiful little girl, Meredith. Your birthday party just looks like it was perfect- the outdoors just looks lovely. It would make a beautiful Hallmark card. Seriously!
Susan

buffy sunshine said...

what's the recipe for your strawberry puree?

Rhonda Parker said...

It's beautiful - I love it - it's great that you let your kids be creative and help decorate the cake. This looks SO MUCH EASIER than the princess castle cake or doll cakes I've made in the past. :) Way to go, Mom! (Plus, it looks a lot healthier too).

Diane said...

These are the moments that both of you will always talk about and remember!

Kathy said...

A picnic celebration sure looks like fun! Elise looks like she's enjoying her cake, both making it and blowing out the candle! My son will be 3 next week, and he would never let me get by with just one candle! He'll insist on three!

Tubo Family said...

Just thinking that I remember the post when you announced your pregnancy with Elise and how can that have been over three years now?!? I don't know when you started LMS but I have been reading you most of the time I've been a mama (my Sean turned five in April) and you've given me much inspiration and peace. Thank you.

Meredith said...

Don't worry, I'm not so stingy that I wouldn't give a 3 year old three pink candles. I believe this shot shows her after she has already blown out the first 2.

Kathy said...

Meredith, I am so sorry I did not see the other candles in the picture! I still only see 1 when I look at it, I'm getting old and blind, I guess! One would be perfectly fine, I am just thinking of my own son and his current obsession with three. He asked for three balloons on the mailbox, 3 on the table and 3 on the deck. Elise had a wonderful celebration and I did not mean to indicate otherwise.

Kim said...

oh - how cute! I love the finished cake!