Yes we had another birthday around here and I can report that there were no broken arms. Whew! Lillian enjoyed every minute of her day and said with pride at breakfast, "This is fun--I've never been six before!"Lillian insisted on a Barbie cake (you know, the kind where you stick a doll into a volcano of batter, bake her and see how she holds up? Kidding.) but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Not ANOTHER Barbie cake! I've done pirate ships, killer whales, Death Stars, horse heads, picture books, sheep, butterflies, rainbows, spiders, dinosaurs and salmon but NO MORE BARBIES!
So I "suggested" a mermaid cake. Of course in her mind she had visions of Ariel but I wasn't about to tell her that Disney wasn't getting any piece of this action and by the time I went to frost and decorate she was so excited that she didn't even remember Barbie or Ariel or anything else.
I was, however, a little disturbed at the results. Is anyone else seeing Raggedy Anne as a mermaid? There's a reason that one was never marketed--it's just creepy.
But as for details: those are madelines you see strategically positioned as seashells, licorice strings for hair and Necco wafers for the fish scales. The pattern takes a bucket load of cake batter--I made a 9 X 13 inch cake for the body and tail and then a second batch in a glass bowl for the face (there was enough left over for cupcakes).
Oh! And another thing about this whole birthday extravaganza--I was putting off shopping for Lillian's present because 1. I really dislike shopping in general and 2. I had no ideas. Add to this the fact that all the grandparents always send me cash to buy their presents for them so I have not just one idea but four ideas to give birth to. I was paralyzed with indecision.
Anyway, I had half an hour to kill in between piano lessons a couple days before her birthday and on a whim I ran to the nearby local toy store Over the Rainbow Toys which just set up shop around the corner (I was avoiding Toys R Us like the plague--I don't like going there). I walked in and there were millions of real toys. Not tiny stripper dolls or walls of video games or merchandising from the latest blockbuster but real toys. It took me all of fifteen minutes to find four great gifts and then (the icing on the cake) when I walked up to the register the friendly and helpful clerk asked that magic question: "Would you like these gift wrapped?"
She must have thought she had the village idiot staring at her because I kind of stood there for a second in a stupor, analyzing all the ways that this must be a scam or a dream, before she quickly said, "It's complimentary!"
So in less than a half an hour I had found terrific toys and had them all gift wrapped and in a big brown bag for my shopping pleasure. And boy was it a pleasure. And they're not even paying me to say that.
***
And speaking of healthy desserts loaded with sugar and more sugar here's a video clip sent in by Alex, a kind reader who put me onto this funny thing. It had me chuckling at "sommelier sauvant" and then had me on the floor with "constantly hugged goats." Go on, watch it . . . I dare you.
Sponsored by: Victoria P. Zurcher Designs--hip and fresh clothing for kids
Technorati tags: birthdays, cakes
59 comments:
I do see the Raggedy Ann resemblance - but I think it looks great, and incredibly yummy! Would have loved one of these as a kid!
And that toy store sounds heavenly. I almost had a heart attack when Macy's wanted to charge me $12 for a gift wrap last month - I spent two bucks at the dollar store instead - I'm cheap that way.
As for the video - are there really people like that in the world??? Though I was seeing similarities with some people I know!
I think the cake look fabulous!
Many birthday wishes to your beautiful six year old!
I love real toy stores!
That is an amazing cake. You did a great job!
Yup, 'fraid so. As the image appeared on my screen top down I was thinking Raggedy Anne, until it got to the mermaid bit! Great cake though, I bet there's none left. Brilliant video ( I especially loved that his child was called Atticus; so's my sister-in-law's little boy - and it fits, if you get my meaning!!)
Love the video..haha
I love the video!!
Neccos are my favorite candy ever- people think I'm weird. They are definitely under-utilized- I'm glad you found a use for them!
That cake is so awesome! I didn't think Raggedy Ann until you mentioned it. I still think she looks more "mermaid-y" than like a doll :)
Wow this cake is so cute.
That cake is awesome, and I saw that video the other day- CRACKS me up!
Steph
I happened upon you through the farmer's wife! The cake is lovely. It's not creepy! It's kooky and wonderful!
"If she survives." ROTFLMAO! That was great.
Nice cake. You're so creative.
Awesome cake!!!
hahaha "cute little american body!" too funny!
plus i laughed out loud at the raggedy anne thing. i can see that a little. but still, that's one creative mermaid with the shells and the neccos. nice job!
Happy Birthday to Lillian!
You did fabulous with the cake! The hair was the second thing I noticed! The first were her, um... boobies! Or are they arms, I was thinking to myself! LOL ... need more coffee in myself! Love the Necco wafers as scales..perfect!
The cake is beautiful, it would be hard for me to cut into and eat it!
Happy Birthday, Lillian. I hope "six" is a wonderful year for you!
The cake turned out great.
I think the mermaid is adorable. And BONUS! She's also VERY VERY ALERT. Hee hee. Anything you do is always perfect, and somewhere down in there you must know it?
Impressive cake! But, what about the gifts? What did she get?? I have a rising six year old, too (this month!), and I'm always looking for great gift ideas. :)
I'm not disturbed; I'm amazed. You poured your heart and lots of time into that one...
[She does look really alert. Maybe she's hooked up with that controversial siren of late. Too much coffee can do that to you. :)]
My first thought was "Are those madelaines?" and my second thought was "Are they grey?" Very cool cake, I think the Raggedy Ann resemblance is form the hair color and those doe-like eyes :)
Is it just me, or has Toys R Us become the lamest toy store ever? I remember it used to be cool when I was young, and it had rows of bicycles that you could take off the rack and ride around to test out. Last time I was there they had one bike for sale. Just one. And apparently the Bratz vomited pink glitter all over the entire center of the store.
Wonderful job on the cake - Raggedy Ann-ish or not! :) And congrats on the successful avoidance of the 'Barbie/Disney' phenomenon as well.
Happy 6th birthday to Lillian!
Great post as always. That video cracked me up. The cake was very cool and I didn't see Raggedy Ann until you pointed it out. Thanks for that.
We have an amazing toy store here in Minnesota (they now have an online store as well) called Creative Kidstuff. They do wrapping with bright colors and bags, etc. You go to a kid party anywhere around here and you'll see a LOT of Creative Kidstuff wrapping.
If anyone (including yourself) is looking for some fun ideas for gifts there are a few games that the kids I nanny for LOVE and we have a blast playing all together.
- Askew (http://www.creativekidstuff.com/askew.html) It's a balancing game to see who can get rid of their sticks first. A lot of fun to see what you create when all the pieces are hanging.
- Rush Hour - http://www.creativekidstuff.com/rush-hour.html If you have two games you can compete to see who gets through first. The boys always want to watch me work my way through the "Expert" level which is a lot of fun.
- Blokus http://www.creativekidstuff.com/blokus.html. Another fun creative game that we always have fun with.
Hope the links show up!
Oh yes, Raggedy Ann has made an appearance but I'm quite sure any child wouldn't be as frightened as an adult would.lol
The cake is cute and creative! And way more than I would ever do...for our last bday I got the ginormous cupcakes at the Costco bakery. They are big enough to serve 4 people! And tasty. And I ate one all by myself. {sigh.}
That cake is AMAZING! I didn't think Raggedy Ann at all, though I did admire the amount of work that would have gone into those fish scales. Wow! Happy Birthday to your sweet 6-year old.
The video cracked me up. "constantly hugged goats". Love it.
The cake looks great! I don't think there's anything better than a homemade birthday cake ( : And the video? The reference to the 'cute little american body' had me in stitches!!! Thanks for the laughs this morning!
THAT CAKE! Oh, it's going in the file.
And that video hahaahahahaahahaha.
Great job with the cake! Looks awesome--especially with all those Neccos. I love the Neccos.
The toy store sounds great too. Free gift wrap--way to go.
Her tail is amazing! Where did you find Necco wafers, they are on the endangered candies list. I'm so inspired now that I may have to attempt more than the 9x13 slab of cake with store bought frosting for my daughter's next bday.
A ten day master cleanse sounds great! That video cracked me up...especially since my kids' intestines are almost certainly clogged with goldfish crackers.
That mermaid cake is phenomenal. I love it and might have to make it for my twins' 2nd bday!! I vowed to never bake a cake again, though....
:) First of all, GREAT CAKE!! You go girl! I don't think it looks like creepy Raggedy Ann at all! V cute and hopefully was delicious. Funny bit about the toy store and glad you found some great real toys. I know what you mean about Toys R Us (totally overwhelming). And that video is priceless. Constantly hugged goats - ha ha ha.
I do love Over the Rainbow too. WAY better than TRU. Cute cake. Funny video.
Cute cake! How did you make the Madelines grey? Or are the chocolate?
We have a Top Ten Toys that sounds like your new toy store. I love that place.
That video is much too funny, and sadly so true. Love the part where he says. "Look at you being so American with your American body." Hee hee.
Ok, I do see Raggedy Ann but what a great job on her body! The fish scales are fantastic. How long did it take to do that? You know how to make the kids happy!
Oh my God. I just watched the video. Hysterical. That guy was so funny. I think he might be related to my friend! Kidding, but that is a familiar attitude.
Happy birthday Lillian!
The cake is beautiful, which is why I will never let my daughter visit your blog ;) I am lucky to remember to order a store bought cake in time. YIKES!
Oh my goodness that video was hilarious! My brother has friends that are like that. A wee bit (or way bit) overboard!
That cake is awesome, who cares if it's raggedy-ann'ish!
And that video - too funny!! I sent it to my vegiterain shops-only-at-whole-foods sister, she'll lov it :)
My Sam turned 6 last Sunday, happy birthday Lillian!!
I think the cake is ADORABLE!!! Anything covered with necco wafers gets an A+ in my book. :)
ha ha ah! "PLease ask the fish monger nicely" ha ha ha! "Your baby looks sooo American!" hh a
i LOVE it!!! fun, original, and innocent for a 6 yr old party. great job! and...fun buys AND great service? you cannot beat that!
Very cute cake! Your cakes always look good to me!!
Wow! How many Moms would go to all the trouble of putting individual "scales" on a birthday cake mermaid? Cute cake--Raggedy Ann-ish or not.
Happy Birthday to the young lady who's now 6!
Hysterical video. I loved the "she's such a little American with her American body." HA!
I'm off to hunt for more on You Tube now.
Nice job on the cake, too. Very creative. What flavor was it?
I, for one, think you did a great job with that cake. I'm sure it was a hit with the kids and I love that licorice hair...
Very cute cake - happy and innocuous!
Do you know WHY mermaids wear seashells?
B shells are too small, and D shells are too big. And yes, I got that out of Reader's Digest - you'd be amazed at how frequently it is relevant to repeat!
Great job on the cake. I figured her top was made of Madelines, my son's favorite cookie! Love the candy tail!
I didn't think Raggedy Ann until you said it. I'm still not quite convinced. But I'm thinking the Queen would be quite taken with a mermaid cake come January. It can't take any more cake than that castle did.
I would love to find a toy store like that.
Wow, that cake looks great! It doesn't look like Raggedy Ann at all.
I sure wish we had a toy store like that.
The birthday cake is way clever. And I hope Lillian had a fabulous birthday.
The video was just to precious for words, Darling%-)
Very cool cake! I like over the rainbow too. One day though my daughter got reprimanded for test riding one of the trikes. I thought if they didn't want the kids to try them, they'd have them boxed or tied up. She wasn't making a ruckus and no one was in the store but us. I thought it was odd.
I think the cake turned out great - not raggedy ann-ish at all! And that video was absolutely hysterical!
I love the video!
Te cake looks awesome! No wonder Lillian was delighted!
And that was awesome about the toy store!
You did a fantastic job on the mermaid cake!
Yep...I see the Raggedy Ann resemblance, but as long as your daughter loved it, who cares!?!?
My daughter is having a pool party in about three weeks and the search is on for finding her "the perfect cake".
Now, that's impressive. The cake, I mean. The video and your list of weirds is funny also. I've thought about posting a "weird meme", since everyone is so unique and funny about what they like.
The cake was amazing - what a lucky girl!
I love that video. Too funny!
love the cake - how creative!
video: heh, heh, heh
I like the cake...it's cool that you can do that!
Adam
http://adam-finch.eachday.com
Oh, I just saw this! Such a cute cake!!! Happy Birthday!
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