Lauren's 7th Birthday

I remember the day when Heather and Ben first told me that I was going to be an aunt. I couldn't believe that I was about to watch as my sister-in-law grew a little baby in her belly. I was so excited that I couldn't stop smiling. A new baby. That was pretty major. When little Lauren was born, I was as nervous as could be when I first held her. A sweet little bundle of cuteness. As I remember this day, I find it most difficult to believe that this moment was actually seven years ago. Seven! Quite a few children later, it's as if the life before children never really existed. But for the first time in a while, I actually got to go celebrate my niece's birthday at her home this year. They decided to celebrate it with pizza (homemade pizza pockets for my allergy boy), birthday cake, and a pumpkin carving contest. It was really fun for everyone, adults included. So after countless cakes that I've decorated, I told miss Lauren that if she wanted me to, I'd be glad to decorate her a horse cake. Because, as most young girls do, she is completely in love with the equine world. I'm fairly certain that her mom was okay with this as she did give me the green light to bring my decorating stuff to whip up a cake for the party. I think that it didn't turn out half bad. Lauren was hopeful for a bright red halter, but hey...I'm not perfect and it turned out dark pink instead. I'm sure she won't hold it against me forever. :-)

The strangest part of the weekend was my daughters new found independence. She usually spends the majority of the time suction-cupped to my leg or in my lap whilst twirling my hair nervously. Not this time though. She surprised us all by being quite the little social butterfly. She was right in the middle of the present opening action. She even socialized with the adults. She still tells me that she misses Aunt Heather and Uncle Ben and wants to go back and see them again. Wierd. My little baby's growin' up! (Where are my kleenexes...*sniff*)

We then went out to carve our pumpkins. It was supposed to be a contest, but in the end, we were all winners. (I swear I didn't mean that to sound as sappy as it came off.) I carved a horse pumpkin. Naturally. No pattern either. I suppose my art degree is worth something from time to time. It's not the best view, but you get the idea.

The cake was a hit with everyone. But I'm sure it was most appreciated by the kids (and me...as I can't seem to live without massive doses of sugar on a daily basis). Here are my kids and their cousins enjoying their pre-bedtime sugar.

So by the end of the weekend, I had two more orders for future birthday cakes from my other two nieces. I believe a purple unicorn and a monkey cake if I'm not mistaken. I guess I'd better reserve those dates on the calendar because I'm about to change status from 'cool aunt that can draw', to 'cool aunt that can make pretty birthday cakes'. (I added the 'cool' part myself. Hey...I'm hopeful.)

Here is the video of our pumpkin parade. That's a whole lotta pumpkins!