8.03.2009

www.happybirthdaykeaton.com

My oldest rascal had a birthday yesterday.

And I only cried twice. Once because I thought about the fact that this is our last year in single digits (which really just means we're that much closer to puberty, and that scares the begeebies out of me) and the other time was when I was decorating the cake (which were caused by my intense hatred for all things buttercream at that particular moment....I have since forgiven the buttercream, and we are very much on speaking terms again).

Keaton started out his day at the dentist. What a rotten way to spend your birthday, I know. But for the 20 minutes Keaton was in the chair there was no other place he wanted to be. Thanks entirely to the laughing gas that was flowing freely.


And although this has nothing to do with Keaton, but because you might want to know, I ate this for lunch.

I actually didn't feed my children lunch yesterday, because I was too busy running my mouth with a couple of my besties, but I think 2/3 of them ate....while we were at Steph's. I think. The other 1/3...um....I'm not so sure about. Excellent parenting once again.

After a tremendous gab session where all things related to world peace and world hunger were not even mentioned at all unless in reference to things that Jim-Dad need not read about solved, I headed home to begin on The Project That Actually Made Me Understand Why People Jump Off Bridges....otherwise known as...

THE COMPUTER CAKE.

Yes. A computer cake.

Because, as I was informed by the little smarty pants, he has outgrown cartoon cakes. (Dad gum it...here come the tears again.) And, as I was also informed, he didn't think I could make Darth Vader. Standing up. With a light saber.

He would be correct.

So...a computer cake it was. How hard could it be, right?

I Googled a couple of ideas to copy (because this girl ain't embarrassed to totally rip off someone else's idea and call it my own...just keepin' it real) and tweaked a couple of my favorite ideas in my head.

Ahem.

This might have been my problem.

The whole tweakin' in MY head thing.

I started with baking 3 cakes. Yes. 3. (And don't act all shocked when all 3 cakes are devoured in less than 24 hours either....by 5 people....because we like us some cake.)

Then I channeled my inner Ace of Cakes and carved out some pieces for the MONITOR. And then I stacked them up. With cardboard in between each layer. Because in MY HEAD that would make it more stable.


And then I pretended like I knew what I was doing and "dirty iced" my cake. (I learned that on Ace of Cakes, too.)

This would be where it all started to fall apart. Literally. My blessed monitor swung this way and that way. Clumps of "dirty" chocolate buttercream were flopping and falling all over the ding dang place. Finally, I resorted to slapping walls of cardboard on all four sides to hold the stinkin' thing up. Geez Louise. Don't worry...I warned the family about inspecting each bite for chips of tree.

After it was all dirty iced....kinda, it was time to whip up the buttercream. YUMMO. It is possible that I slurped up a couple of fingerfuls, but I will deny it if you ask me about it. So don't bother.

And then mixed in the black.


And then it was time to put on the pretty icing. No pictures....because I was covered from elbow to fingertip in black buttercream. (Before you ask me....I don't like fondant. I like the real stuff, but after star-tipping my 7893rd black dot on that cake, I was wishing I had gone the whole fondant route.)

And now my fingers are permanently stained black. LOVELY.


Then it was time for the keyboard. And the mouse.

And finally......

Drum roll, please.............


If you hold your head just right, it isn't crooked.

All in all....I think it turned out okay. Keaton LOVED his cake, and he told me that it was the best birthday cake he's ever had. Love that kid.


Keaton's request for dinner was fish sticks and Ramen noodles.

No. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

So, we obliged.

And then we ate cake.

And more cake.

And even more cake.

And then we watched Shark Week......naturally.


Happy Birthday, Keaton!!!
You are an awesome kid. Love you from the stars and back and back again.

26 comments:

Carpool Queen said...

Wow!!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL cake, Amb. Just beautiful!!!! And though star-tipping may have driven you to find solace at the bottom of the Xanax pill bottle, the results were worth every stinkin' minute.

Great job.

Mary said...

You totally rock! That cake is fantastic! I've never been more ambitious than a flat cake, still in the pan, with a little writing on top. This would be why Grandma makes all the birthday cakes in this family.

Elizabeth said...

The cake is SO. COOL. You, my friend, have some serious talent. I can't imagine what kind of cake you're going to make next year for his 10th. Now that one will have to be great!

Jennifer said...

That.Is.Awesome!!

You got some skills there, Fun Mom!!

Think you could give Cupcake a run for his money!! ;)

Mich said...

Great cake, sis! Ok for someone who fusses about throwing parties, you forgot to tell your bloggy friends that you always make really cool cakes! I may know how to throw a party, but my cake always comes from the supermarket. truth is, in the long run, the kids will remember the cakes their mom went crazy making for them.

I'm so a bad aunt! I forgot to call yesterday. Does it count for something that I gave him his gift EARLY this year?! Hug him for me...I love him very much.

Kendra said...

What an awesome cake!

What pretty china.

What an interesting meal.

What a big boy!

And when he get to be a surly teenager, I've got 2 words: military academy. We're thinking of it.

Musings of a Homeschooling Mom said...

What a great looking cake! I love it!

Nina Diane said...

awww...you did good! and kept me laughing all the while....

Cathy said...

Fondant, huh?

B-E-A-UTIFUL, my dear!

You played your whole deck of "fun mom" cards with that one!!

Tell Keaton "happy birthday" from some looney that he doesn't even know that lives inside your computer.;)

....we watched shark week last night too...disturbing.

Gretchen said...

I bow to your Cakefulness.

Happy Birthday, Keaton! Hope nine is fine, indeed.

Jim said...

Amb,
Tell Kea that Poohpa is really looking forward to seeing that new nine year old grandson this week. Did I say nine? It can't be! He's not been eight, or seven, or six long enough. I know you agree.

Can't wait to have you all here again. Be safe.

Love,
Jim-Dad

Tiffani said...

there are not words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Connor just said "email her right.now and tell her that.is.awesome!!"

Amber Junie B. Goodrum...I'm SO PROUD OF YOU! What a special memory for Kea! Just wait til Sept. when I go through this you can pass me your hankie!!

Jackie said...

That cake rocks, girl! Wow! And you are brave for doing the black frosting - I know how messy that can be. I am not a fan of fondant, as far as eating it, but it's kinda fun to use it just for decoration purposes. Although I have never actually covered an entire cake with it, so I dont' really know what I'm talking about....

At least after all the work on the cake, you got off easy on the meal, right??? :)

Andrea said...

Cute cake! I have shed quite a tear over a stressful cake creation in my day. I hire most out now. I have a lovely friend who does awesome cakes for not too much money.

Becky said...

Awesome Cake! His praise was priceless!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Your cake making skills rock!

Jessica said...

That cake was pretty saaa-weet! I am confident that you racked up major cool points with Keaton for that one!

Mocha Momma said...

I love the cake! You are one awesome mommy. Very brave too.

Glad your kiddo liked it. Happy birthday Keaton.

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

You are my hero.

That cake rocks and Keaton will always remember it.

Happy Birthday, Keaton!

theelizabethhighsmith said...

i promise throwing a party is less work.....i stand impressed!

Sarah said...

So creative! I'm impressed and love the dinner. My little one turns 5 this week, the party this weekend. A bit more creativity needed for birthdays on the mission field.

Hugs from Costa RIca,
Sarah Dawn

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

That cake is AWESOME, Amber. You did great!!!

Hope Keaton had a great birthday. I read your post about his vitiligo and my heart hurts for you. Hard stuff for sure.

Jennifer said...

You are flipping hilarious. Love the comment about hating all things buttercream. I'm back in the blogging world; great trip to Montana and only wanted to kill the kids on the way home. Very sucessful. See Samuel's cake from April in the cake section. I'll find us a nice tall bridge to jump from together. It will be all Thelmas and Louise-y!

You rock cyber friend!

Mocha Momma said...

Thanks for your prayers and comments.

I forgave the old ladies once I grew up a little. LOL!

Our skies are gray almost every day for 5 or 6 months. There may be blue sky after it snows which is really cool.

I just love blue sky and green grass. Right now we don't have any green grass. Way too dry & hot this year.

Catchya later,
Nannette

really.truly said...

Ummm, do you have a friend in China??Do you know how to read Chinese? Just curious what's up with those Chinese comments?

That cake is amazing! Good job.

Lori said...

That cake is so amazingly AWESOME!