Ben Turned Two

We have a tradition so far of a simple birthday supper with grandparents and aunts as a children's birthday party (I'm sure we'll have to edge closer to the themed party with friends in the coming years).

For now, decorations are usually just balloons.



I try to choose foods the birthday child likes (when they are older, I want them to choose just as my mother let me). For Ben, we had lasagne, asparagus, green salad, and chocolate cake with ice cream.

I cut a car out of a chocolate sheet cake. (I went here for ideas) . . .



iced it with peanut butter icing and used my terrifying but so convenient icing. . .



and ta da!



When we held the cake in front of him and asked him what it was, he said (hello, Captain Obvious), "cake." No matter, because I didn't slave over it and he LOVED it. Actually, it was a delicious cake.





Ben was totally overwhelmed by the few presents; he burst into tears when we tried to set aside the first gift he opened to move on to the others. Then he wanted Grandpa to help him open gifts.



He loaded his new paper bracelets from his sister into the tractor from "Ganny an Pappaw" (Granny and Grandpa), wearing the hat from "Mimi" (Aunt Mel).



It was a good way to celebrate Ben's birthday, but I am bursting to tell you about the lasagne recipe because it was unbelievably good and I've made it twice now so I know it's not a fluke. Tomorrow!