So. My daughter recently turned 16 and had some specifications for her birthday cake. I always let my kids pick their design. My son is simple: he just wants a chocolate bundt cake.
My daughter is not so simple.
I asked what kind of cake she wanted which was probably my first mistake. She went me 3 photos and was like, "Okay, this is what I'm thinking."
"I like this style.."
I was like, "Okay, fantastic, cute, I'll make the order.." (Because I have no baking talent.)
Natalie continued, "I'm not finished. You see the pearls on that first picture?"
I was like, "um. Yes?"
"Instead of the pearls I'd like the balloons from THIS cake."
I said, "So you want the heart and everything from the first cake but not the pearls?"
"Exactly!"
I thought it was the end, but no.
"And the animals on top from this cake. Does that make sense?"
I mean, yes to Marie Antionette and all her requests, but to a middle class family, maybe not so much.
I kid.
"So. The heart cake but instead of pearls the balloons from the second cake. And animals on top from the third cake," I inquired.
"Yes! Thank you!"
Maybe I wouldn't be letting her design her future cakes because here was my next issue. This meant I had to TALK to the cake designer about all this. I couldn't just show one photo and say, "Could you please make this?" No, now I had to actually EXPLAIN and I am an INTROVERT who prefers to have conversations with others briefly.
*Le sigh*
Should have have made her do it? Probably. But she was in school and if we went to the cake place after school, traffic around the area would be insane. So I just did it to avoid rush hour.
We went to Smallcakes, which is a national chain. They make delicious cupcakes and can make nearly any cake you show them. I walked in and the young lady was kind and patient as I explained.
I apologized before I even started.
She said it was fine, she's used to it.
She wrote down everything I said and I sent the photos via email so she could remember. I told her the colors didn't have to be exact, we weren't THAT picky.
Did the cake turn out?
I think so!
When Natalie saw it she gasped. "It's beautiful. Thank you!"
Was it scrumptious?
Yes. She wanted it chocolate. There was a layer of buttercream as well. The animals on top were almost too cute to eat. Almost.
I'm glad it turned out. If you have a Smallcakes nearby, I suggest you check them out.
Do you let your kids pick out their birthday cake?