I'm not sure at what point in my life birthdays became such a big deal.
We celebrated birthdays in the typical fashion growing up: cake, presents, maybe a party. The only complaint we might have had in regards to our childhood birthday celebrations would be the sharing of the birthday party. In one corner we have my sister's March birthdays. My sisters are one year and five days apart (I have a hard time wrapping my mommy brain around what those days must have been like for my mother). In the other corner you have my brother and I sharing January birthdays. Thankfully for my mother (or then again, maybe not!), we are eleven years and one day apart. And while I know that, being the baby of the family and being so much younger than my siblings, I had many more birthday celebrations to myself than they did (tease me all you want about being the milkman's kid, there were ADVANTAGES!), there was still the sharing of the special day.
Maybe it was the proximity of my birthday to Christmas. Nothing sucks the joy out of a present like, "I hope you like it! It's for Christmas AND your birthday!" I once gave Mike a particularly nice birthday present and told him the same thing. His birthday is in June. He doesn't pull that crap on me anymore.
So maybe because of those things, or maybe because I just have a warped sense of celebrations, birthdays have evolved into a big deal around here. My kids could have worse things to complain about. My husband, as well. What that usually means is a day to celebrate you. What you want to eat, what you want to do. Because, quite frankly, that's my dream kind of day. Do what I wanna do, eat everything I wanna eat.
For some reason, though, this warped sense of celebration has also turned into having more than one day of celebrating. And what is a birthday celebration without cake?
On Eli's actual birthday, we celebrated with a classic icebox cake. Incredibly easy to make. The hard part is letting it sit overnight. Your patience will reward you with something that tastes like a giant Oreo. And that, in my humble opinion, is something worth waiting for.
For the celebration with my family, I attempted a layer cake. I've never been able to make a layer cake that looked as good as it tasted. Those sad days are over. Having a birthday? I'll make this for you. Sprinkles are optional, but you know you want them.
It's a hard job, all this celebrating. Somehow, I don't this birthday boy minds.
Wow Angie – I’m impressed! I’m one of those weird people who doesn’t even like cake. But yours look so good that I have to admit that I’d like a piece of either (or heck even both!) of those right now.
Wow, will you make me a cake?
Awesome though birthdays should be special. We always celebrate the day and then have a party day too.
Do you do mail order, mine is next
month 🙂 Happy b-day Eli!
Dude, AWESOME CAKES!!!!
I want one. *sniffle*
I am the exact same way! My sister and I are 7 years, 6 days apart but it felt like I’d shared my day my entire life. We always had a shared party and often just one cake (since we both liked the same kind – apparently, if I had selected a different favorite growing up we would have had 2; so says my mom now).
I go all out for my girls – they get new PJs the night before (so birthday pics for opening the first present – a new outfit – look good), presents, cake, a party, balloons (since I never, ever had them at my parties) and the whole day to do what they want.
Now, if only I could get the rest of the family on board to provide the same for me.
I like the new pj’s, new outfit idea. We may just have to try that!
http://www.justlikethenumber.com Â