Let us eat cake {Martha Stewart's Ruffle Cake}

Hooray!

I did it!

(even if it was a day late)

I have been wanting to make this cute little cake forever. And I am not, let me say that again, N.O.T. a baker. Although, ever since I got this for Christmas, I have had the urge to spend more time in the kitchen :-)

So...I originally wanted to make this cake for Aspen's birthday, but since we are not doing her birthday party at home, the venue doesn't have a kitchen, and the cake obviously wouldn't travel well, I decided, instead, to make it for my own birthday.

(yesterday, it was)

We're eating it tonight! Why not just let the 6 days between me and Aspen's birthdays just be one looooooong celebration?! Hooray!

NOTES FROM MY EXPERIMENT (should you want to try):
I didn't have 3 6" baking dishes, so I just had to be creative. I baked two 8" rounds and then the day got away from me and by the time we picked Jacob up from work it was just too late to finish the cake. So, I baked 2 more 8" rounds this morning. (don't worry, we had a nice treat at dinner and I was the one who begged Jacob to let me make my own cake this year). Anyway, I ended up just cutting an inch from around the perimeter of 3 of the cakes, and I cut the last one into two mini circles - to save for a mini version on Aspen's "real" birthday. Am I boring you yet? I totally cheated. I used Trader Joe's cake mix (it tastes homemade). I did do Martha's buttercream frosting, but was interrupted by Sawyer and it turned out *ok* so I added a tiny bit of confectioner's sugar to thicken it up a bit. It is so-not-good-for-you (but it definitely tastes good!) Oh, also, it is okay to be generous with your "ruffles". I was worried I would run out of frosting, but I had some to spare. For a first try, I think it turned out, well, pretty darling. Almost too cute to eat!

Rice Cereal!

We didn't expect this would happen quite so early: Sawyer's keen interest in food. We were thinking/hoping we'd start him on the road to solids closer to around 6 months, but he's been demonstrating all of the obvious cues (great head control, looking at our food with those big eyes saying "can't I have some?" and reaching and grabbing for our food). We finally gave in.

His first try was about a week ago. We've only given him rice cereal 3 times so far...taking it slow. However, last night, with a bit more solid mixture than this first serving, he just opened his mouth wide, waiting for the spoon, and then he grabbed the spoon and tried to shove it in himself. It is a little scary how excited he is about food! It looks like he will be a healthy eater (as if he isn't already...just look at his round little face!) We've also started training him with his little cup. It's pretty amazing how quickly he is catching on! Now we get to look foward to that yummy baby smell of applesauce and graham crackers...but much worse smelling diapers. Joy!