David requested an alligator cake for his birthday. I have to make sure I identify it properly because the darn thing turned out so hideous that there's no way anyone could guess what it is. ("Is it an alien?")He requested an alligator cake but then said, "Yea, and can you make it jumping out of the water up to a tree?"
"Uh, no. Sorry."
"Oh. Well can you make it with a bird in its mouth--like its going to eat it?"
"Uh, no. Sorry."
"How 'bout a fish?"
"Nope."
"Then I guess a plain old alligator is okay."
When I finished the cake and he came home from school for the unveiling my little marine biologist took one look at it and said, "That's not an alligator."
"What?"
"It's not an alligator. Alligators don't have upper and lower teeth showing when their jaws are closed, they only have teeth from their upper jaw pointing down. Crocodiles have both their upper and lower teeth showing when their mouths are closed."
A pause settled over the kitchen as he contemplated the cake. "Can you fix it?"
I snatched off the offending candy corns and tossed them into the sink. "There. It's an alligator."
Everyone's a critic.
Technorati tags: Wordless Wednesday, birthday cakes, alligators
40 comments:
Now that is inspired!
I made elephants for my kids when they were small... the only thing I knew how to design.
LOL!! The joys of motherhood! Who knew you would have to be an alligator dentist?? I think I unfortunately just got a little glimpse of how our resident know-it-all's 6th is going to go down *sigh*
Thanks for the late-night laugh Michelle, and Happy WW!
LOL! You're such a charming storyteller!
And, for what it's worth, I think that cake looks awesome.
It's adorable. Love the teeth.
I like this cake! I like your son's confidence in you, too!
I think it definitely looks alli/croco-ish. :)
You are ambitious! I wouldn't have even known where to begin with that...
Can't please 'em! But I think the cake looks great.
That cake is adorable!
And... such is the price you pay for having a smart kid who is attentive to detail. Hee hee.
This sounds like something I would have said as a child... My dad tells the story of when I was 8 or 9: We were at the beach and saw something off the shore. "Look, dolphins!" my mom said. I corrected them, "No, those are porpoises." How I could tell, I don't remember.
Hi, I work for an international discussion programme on BBC World Service radio called World Have Your Say and came across your blog while searching on the Internet. Today (Wednesday) we are talking about the issue of whether its acceptable for women to admit that they don't find everything about motherhood positive, and were wondering if you would be interested in taking part in the discussion. We are on air from 6pm to 7pm London time (1pm to 2pm East Coast time in the States). If you are interested, please send me your phone numbers to martin.vennard@bbc.co.uk and I will call you to confirm the arrangements or call me on 011442075570635 and I will call you straight back.
Many thanks
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Oh, I can so hear that conversation replying in my home with my analytical 6-year old!!!
So many times I find myself responding to that kind of statement with, "Be grateful for what you have" or "Let's make do with what we have".
I want so much to encourage in him a spirit of gratitude, so the critical spirit doesn't take over. A naturally critical spirit under God's authority can be so advantageous for problem-solving and leadership. So I pray for my son's wisdom and character (oh, and my own too!)
Enough rambling! Happy day to you!
Well, he's right...
But like a typical man, has not figured out when you should and should not display your manly knowledge for the female of the species.
Love the cake. Any ideas for how to make one shaped like Mario?
You know I am impressed that he spotted the error immediately! the trouble with having smart kids I suppose! I think the cake is awesome!
ROFLOL !
Kids...gotta love 'em !
Ha ha ha. I'm so glad it was a quick save.
Let me just say you are a better mother than I am. I would have either bought the cake or said no. ;)
I thnk it's great! And I love that he knows the difference between the aligator and the crocodile! Smart kid!
I think it looks great. My kids always ask for outrageous cakes too and what I come up with always falls short. But they end up happy with them anyway, thank goodness.
That is too funny that the teeth were wrong. Kids are just too smart sometimes. Can't get away with anything.
Gorgeous! AND hilarious.
I could tell it was an alligator!
I love to decorate cakes, but when my children ask for something beyond my capabilities I let them do the decorating. They have a blast even if it doesn't quite turn out as they expected.
That is one sweet cake! I had to laugh at your description because our Ethan is the same exact way. His fun time is spent playing Animal Genius on his Leapster and his favorite channel to watch...Animal Planet ;)
Here's a link to the Discovery Channel. Maybe you should consult it before the next birthday.
(Love that you ripped off the offending teeth. That'll teach him!)
I admire your restraint. I think I would have just turned the cake upside down on his head.
Smart kid! I always get those confused. You're a miracle worker!
Now that is something! I can't believe that A) he knew all of those minute detail about an alligator and B) that is so upset him that you made it wrong. I absolutely LOVE kids for just that reason!!
You really are a good mom. I would have stuck his head in it and left the room.
I think it's awesome that: A) you made an alligator cake; and B) your son knew the difference between alligators and crocodiles.
I think all mommy-made cakes have that special, slightly "different" look to them. Unless you happen to be a mommy who is also a professional cake decorator--in which case, you should never see a picture of the cake I made for my daughter's first birthday, which was supposed to be a kitty, but had ears so long everyone assumed it was a bunny.
By the way, I saw the earlier comment by the guy from BBC's "World Have Your Say" show. Very cool that you got invited to be on that! I hear it sometimes on my local public radio station. They have people from literally all over the world discussing different issues together. If you decide to do it, you should post and let people know so they can listen to it.
I am so impressed that you even attempted that - I would say "Ummmm, NO! You're lucky you get frosting & candles!"
Not really but I don't think I'd attempt an alligator.
Love your reaction. Next year, he bakes!
On the upside, he seems to be getting a great education at your local school... grateful, he was not, but a zoologist, he may yet be...
Huh, it looks like an alligator to me! Kind of cute... and no, I wouldn't have thrown the candy corn down the sink, I would have stuffed them into my mouth! Why do those kids have to be so darn smart, anyway?
Well, I love it alligator or not! I have always tried to make special cakes for my kids' birthdays too. Though the only truly free form cake I made was a fire engine. It took 6 bottles of red liquid food coloring. My husband had to keep running back to the store for more! Now, I know to use the gel coloring. Live and learn. This year Mark wants Rocket from Little Einsteins. Yikes!
I laughed out loud. Thanks for sharing. :0)
Great job on the cake! I made a similar one several years back for my students. I think you did well!:D
Hahahaha! Awesome cake! I'm sure he'll appreciate it even more when his guests "oohhh, ahhhh" over it.
lol!
but the cake still turned out well! I only got cakes from the grocery store growing up!
Gosh, that's better than anything I would have made! :) I still think it looks like an alligator! I didn't even attempt a fancy shaped cake this year- we did cupcakes on tiered plates, draped in fabric- much easier!
Make one eating a bird? That request cracks me up.
I think the cake looks cute :) Good thing he had you fix those teeth, huh?
well done, teeth or not!! :)
my cake making skills are lacking...
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