I Reserve the Right ~ a Mom's Prerogative

Before Nathan was born I, with a lot of time on my hands, planned his first two birthdays' themes. I am a girl who likes to run with a theme! (I can hear you smiling ~ those who already knew this)

His first birthday was all about Zoo Pals ~ I bought plates and cups and cutlery WAY WAY WAY before I needed them. And we had a great time.

For his second birthday, I decided on Backyardigans. Before he was even born, I'd bought the cake pan, the cupcake papers. I even have a plate/bowl/silverware set that has Austin, Tasha, Pablo & Tyrone and Uniqua on it. Boy I love that show and knew my dear baby boy would too.

Two years later and thanks to our cable-less and satellite-less state for most of that time, Nathan has never even seen the Backyardigans. sigh. Never seen them sing "VIKINGS SAY 'YARGH'"! or go sailing over the dessert or sing "Hey we're your friends, the Backyardigans". While there are certainly worse things, Nathan has lived a Backyardigan-less life so far.

But I have had the theme PLANNED for so long, I couldn't wrap my mind around doing anything differently. After all, there'd be a cake and a party. Would he really care that much if he didn't recognize the character on his cake?

Pablo, meet Elmo. Elmo, Pablo. Pablo, Elmo.

Nathan LOVES Elmo. His favorite movie is "Elmo Visits the Firehouse". It's the only one he'll actually watch. He got an Elmo stretchy doll for Christmas and it stays close to him always. Our days are filled with Elmo. Elmo. Elmo. Elmo makes Nathan happy.

For the record, I'd like to provide proof that I made my planned Backyardigans cake:

As this cake cooled, I started working on other cakes I was making for my Achievement Days girls. These cakes were to have roses on them, and as I was getting things out I broke my flower scissors. With no way to lift flowers off their paper, there'd be no way to get them on the cake. An emergency run to Michael's took place. It was 8:30 and they closed at 9.

I know my way around the cake aisle. I LOVE the decorating supplies. But I was in a hurry. I grabbed the scissors I needed just in time to see

THE PAN

The pan I knew would make my boy happy.

My head started to have a conversation

Side A: HE HAS TO HAVE AN ELMO CAKE.

Side B: but you've already made his Pablo cake.

Side A: Nathan loves Elmo.

Side B: then what would you do with the cake you've already made?

Side A: I'll give it away to someone who loves the Backyardigans

Side B: it's kind of expensive.

Side A: I have a 40% off coupon!

As I got back in the van where Kurt and the kids were waiting, he looked at the bulge in my bag and said, "those are awfully big scissors". I took THE PAN out of the bag and handed it to Nathan. The look on his face told me I'd made the right decision. Oh the joy! He was cuter and sweeter and more excited about Elmo than even I had expected. My boy was HAPPY.

We had to stop at the store to get another cake mix. My love for my son and his happiness knew no limits Saturday night.

Soon Elmo took shape. He looked very Elmo-y. Elmo-esque. Elmo-like. That made ME happy.

Nathan had been playing and didn't see his cake until it was done. Kurt brought him into the kitchen and he recognized who was on his cake from across the room. ELMO! ELMO! ELMO!

Party a success. Boy happy. Mommy happy.

*anyone want/need a Pablo cake?