Birthday Boy

I had grand plans for Miles' birthday. I was going to bake a cake and there were going to be memorable decorations to remember the big milestone. Then, we were hit with an August heatwave that I (smugly) talked about avoiding the week before. I was also hit with ton of work in preparation for a new lecture season. Even with a ton of help from my mom, some days Miles is a tornado that whips and whirls around the apartment on a seek and destroy mission. So, instead of cute homemade decorations (in typical Brasilliant style), Miles got a pretty sad Happy Birthday banner from Fred Meyer and a store-bought cake. 

One thing that I did not compromise on was my desire to have his first cake at least be a tasty one. While the banner was not what I had imagined for his first birthday, the cake was worlds better than I would have ever made. It was no larger than a cupcake, but was one of the tastiest non-chocolate cakes that I've had in a while (or maybe ever). Miles' birthday treat was white cake with a triple berry cream and a delicious blueberry or huckleberry core. The outside was rolled in delicious white chocolate and topped with more of the delicious filling. I had some reservations about getting him a pretty feminine looking cake, but my mom reassured me at Zupans (the specialty market that sold the cakes) that he'd probably turn out well adjusted despite the frilly wrapper and cotton candy colored frosting. Besides, who doesn't love berries?

That afternoon, following some present opening and a nap, we sang happy birthday and brought over the cake. Miles was pretty excited when we put it on his tray, but he wasn't quite sure what to make of his cake padded fingers after a while. He gave the cake a few tastes, but it was pretty different than anything he had before. The sweetness made him shudder. After a while the tray was smeared with icing and filling and he flapped his little arms to say he was finished. We got in a few photos before he really insisted on being released from the high chair. Jesse and I grabbed a fork and enjoyed a few bits of tastiness discarded on his tray. 

Miles was much more interested in helping Jesse take down his Fred Meyer decorations. I don't blame him, they were pretty pedestrian, but oh so shiny and intriguing to a one year old boy. Next year, dude, we'll go all out. Homemade cake AND decorations of your choice. Not that you'll remember anyway, but I will.