This is the best cake ever

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Now to some of you, this probably looks like a cool mess (if that) but being described as the best cake ever ... probably not.  But to this little 6 year old, it looks "absolutely magnificent."  The tradition started when I found the coolest cake for Andrew's 3rd birthday: a dumptruck cake.  

Then I got ambitious for an Izzy birthday with a barbie doll cake (which made me swear that at some point in time I would take a cake decorating class ... still haven't checked that off my to do list.)  Since then, it's evolved to be this expectation from my kids to have something fancier than the normal sheet cake with a simple Happy Birthday writing on it.  (What have I done???)  So for Izzy's birthday, I let her peruse the cake site I love (www.familyfun.go.com) and she picked out an unbelievably impossible, princess castle cake.  Nuts!  Last night before bed, I was ready to throw in the towel and never do these "fun" cakes again (which I'm still considering).  I was frustrated that I'd put off making the cake til the last minute (again).   It was the night before and it didn't even come out of a normal pan like it's supposed to.  Grrr.  Plus, it still had to cool in the fridge overnight (I hear that's a trick that's supposed to keep crumbs from getting into the frosting.  What am I doing wrong?) I still had to go shopping to pick up a few more supplies (why can't I plan "completely" ahead of time?) ... It sounded like Izzy's birthday would be spent trying to perfect a cake (I'm a perfectionist, except I'm no good at getting things perfect), which would lead to frustration at anyone who tried to talk to me, which means kids having to fend for themselves but Izzy already had her meals picked out for the day.  Sheesh!  Now can you see why I was ready to throw in the towel?!

  Celebrating a birthday isn't supposed to be stressful.  It's supposed to be joyful and full of fun activities "TOGETHER."  So I woke up this morning and gave her the option.  She could either help me put together and decorate the cake or she could pick out a cake from the bakery (which would be a special treat because they always ask and we always say no.)  She really wanted the castle cake and she was thrilled at the idea of helping, so we finished our shopping list, got our supplies and got to work.  I left Izzy in charge of mixing the frosting (I love my new mixer).  Then I put the cake together with a coat of frosting.  I was annoyed that I'd finally gotten excited about this project and the silly frosting was picking up crumbs all over the place.  So I asked Izzy if she was ready to finish the cake (so I wouldn't be blamed).  She stirred the whipped topping (anything to cover up my frosting job) and added it to the cake.  I gave her the rest of the supplies and she decorated it somewhat similar to the picture.  I just have to say I'm thankful that she's not a perfectionist and she doesn't mind things messy!  To top it off, she thought it was the best cake ever and was thrilled at her project.  I'll post the rest of her b-day later.