Sydney's Birthday

Since Sydney's birthday is only a couple weeks after Christmas, we gave her the option of more presents or a special day. After explaining to her what a special day meant, that is what she chose. She got to choose what or where we ate, and she got to choose a new museum to attend.

She started out the day with a trip to Donut World and then we headed to the Portland Children's Museum. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pics to post of that. Then we headed to Red Lobster for lunch. After lunch we came home to play and rest a bit before the big spaghetti and meatball dinner, followed by cake.

It was extra special that Grandma and Grandpa Redman flew in from Illinois to celebrate with us. And she wasn't completely without presents...





The Cake...
I'm not a fabulous cake maker, and this year Sydney wanted and Octopus cake. I spent several hours looking at pictures on line, seeking advice and brainstorming how I would pull this off. Then she changed her mind. She wanted an Earth cake with star sprinkles showing all the places she has lived.

More googling and looking at pictures.

More brainstorming.

I started frosting the cake, and also began to get advice on how I should be doing it. So I reluctantly let Kevin and the girls make the cake. I was frustrated...it wasn't going to be the beautiful, perfect cake I imagined I could make for my girl.

It's not beautiful...the continents look a little bit like someone vomited green frosting on top of the cake, but Sydney sure did have fun doing it. She was so proud of the dolphins she added to the ocean and the north and south poles (white frosting blobs).

I think this will be our new tradition...the kids get to help decorate their own cake. No..they won't be beautiful, but they will be special and memorable. The lesson I learned is that it's not about me and my ability to make a perfect cake...it's about the kids and letting them fully enjoy their special day!