Reflections: Celebrate

Birthday parties are such awesome celebrations. I vaguely remember some of my birthday parties mostly because my Mom would make me a wonderful cake. The two that I remember must have been spectacular in my young mind, so much so that I recall what they looked like some fifty years later. I don't remember which birthdays they were for, the guests, nor the gifts, but the cakes are etched in my mind and heart. They are classic designs that probably everyone has had for one of their birthdays at one time or another and possibly created for a loved one.
The first one was the Barbie Doll cake. That is how I got my first (and only) Barbie. Her dress was more than likely a homemade cake and was blue with pink embellishments. The second one was in the shape of a butterfly, iced with yellow frosting, jelly beans and licorice whips.

One of our grandaughters is celebrating her birthday this month. They live in an area where having a party outside at this time of the year is not an option. Our daughter, AJ, has gone the route of having the kids' parties at a fun venue. When she told me they were thinking of doing this the first time, I imagined something like a bowling alley, or a fast-food outlet. Ha! Was I wrong! They go to places that have fun things to do, like bumper cars, roller skating, bouncy castles (yes, castles, as in more than one), or in the case of a grandson, trampolines. Most of the places provide the food and all she has to provide is the cake.

They have been doing this for a few years now, and this year is no exception. Next year, AJ is planning on doing an at-home party for Lizzie, with crafts to make. She has a whole year to plan for it and it will be a success.
It's the memories that are made that are important. Many memories are food connected, and birthdays can be the happiest ones, with the cake taking precedent over the other foods provided.

AJ has done cupcakes instead of a cake for the past few years, and she has done some really cute ones.
I am going to share with you some of her creations, starting with this year's for Lizzie's 11th birthday.

When I asked her if I could share these with our readers, she was embarrassed because she uses a cake mix and already-made icing. I told her that didn't matter. Lizzie and her guests wouldn't care if the cake was from a mix, made from scratch or store bought. The important thing would be that there was cake!
​
So, happy birthday, Lizzie. You have an awesome collection of birthday cakes to remember!!