The Making of Poppa Ken’s Birthday Cake

You’ll have to forgive the “catch-up” posts, but even though I took a year off blogging to find a much needed balance in my life THINGS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. And of course, since things HAPPENED, I took photos. And since I took photos, I want to share them with you – the people who care (or pretend to care); in this case, the kids making my Daddy, Poppa Ken, a birthday cake for his birthday.

Back in November Poppa Ken turned 62 a year wiser. The kids came together to find an online cake recipe (the youth and chil’ens of our day scoff at actual cookbooks, don’t'cha know?) just for him – the man who would prefer to forget birthdays exist.

When there are grandchildren around one cannot EVER forget birthdays exist!

I tend to not hover over my children when they are “creating” their masterpieces in the kitchen. Messes, I realize, are part of the adventure – and when it comes to cooking with 3 kids it is absolutely, positively an adventure.

Emelie, on the other hand, she hovers.

Or maybe she was just concerned Kenny would get the egg shells in the cake mix…

…or Meredith would add in too much oil.

Either way, Emelie was on her two siblings like a dog on stink…

If that offended anyone, please forgive the use of a “dog” analogy when referencing my oldest, fantabulous daughter. She’s a pretty good kid, after all.
Most of the time

Meredith waits to initiate THE MIXER.

It looks like Meredith is initiating some kind of birthday chant over the mix too.

Hocus Pocus…
Abra Cadabra
Force my momma…
To put down the camera.

Oh wow, um…yea, moving on.

As the mixer did its thing Emelie coached Kenny on how NOT to throw the entire bag in with the mix at the same time.

And of course, he listened…mainly because he knew if he was nice it’d pay off; he’d get to lick the bowl.

I’ve no idea what is happening here, but I’m thinking Meredith is just a smidgeon excited about the smell of chocolate in the air.

Yes, you’re seeing this right.

They are LICKING THEIR FINGERS WHILE COOKING. I realize this may cause some of you never to eat anything made in my home again.

And you know what?
I’m okay with that.

More for us!

Now they gently “fold” the mix into the waiting Pyrex.
Gently.
Gently now…
GENTLY PEOPLE!

Geez louise.

With the cake now cooling on the table the girls have cleaned out the mixer and are working on the frosting.

Hmmmm…where did Kenny go?

…uh huh, right where I thought; being “tempted” at the table with the cooling cake and bowls of toppings.

I must admit to being tempted with him.
A few times.
Yum.

Once the cake cools, the girls ice it together.

It was a RICH cake; yep, very, very rich.

We like RICH cakes.

Overall, they did well working together FOR their Poppa Ken. I can’t say it was all peace and pancakes, but no one cried, poked, prodded or punched…that’s good, right?

Later on we went over to Poppa Ken and Izzy’s to present the kids’ handmade birthday cards and of course, to have cake!

The blur in the background would be Kenny; just ignore him – he’s pulling one of his “Matrix” moments.

He settled down a bit later – at least long enough to show Izzy his picture he drew for Poppa Ken.

The boy takes great care in the details
And he uses a lot of red.

The cake was a success!
Happy VERY Belated Birthday Poppa Ken/Daddy!

Lots of love all around!