Maybe it’s the time of the season, but I’ve been reflecting on our family’s traditions. There are so many things that we make sure we acknowledge or do during certain times of the year, or during certain rites of passage for each family member.
Birthdays are a big deal for me. When I became a wife, then a mother, I noticed how important each born day became within our family. Plus, the best part about birthdays? The cake. The birthday cake is the main event.
Here’s the thing about my kids’ birthday cakes: I need to make them. Yes, there have been years where my mom (a cake decorator) has made a cake, or we ordered a cake from the grocery store for a party, but my kids get a cake made by mom on their birthday.
We wake up on the day of their birth, and we eat cake for breakfast. It’s a tradition I never want to stop, and it’s one that they all appreciate, so far. I stay up the night before and bake the cake of their choice. Sometimes they are homemade, sometimes they are from the box, but it’s always me that makes them.
I can just imagine what it may feel like the night before your birthday, as a Martin kid. The smell of cake coming from the kitchen, the excitement you feel because you know you’re going to wake up the next day to presents and pastries. Must be nice. Ha!
I do ask each kiddo what kind of cake they would like every year. It’s a small way I get to see how their tastes and preferences have changed over the past year. The girl who loves chocolate every year asks for strawberry or vanilla cake. The candy lover asks for the deepest of chocolate cakes for his birthday. It’s a fun adventure to take on.
As our youngest grows, I’m excited to see how he will take on this tradition. This past year, we went with a confetti cake with sprinkles all around it. It was a “safe” selection for a 2 year old, since it involved copious amounts of sugar and icing. Next year, I have a feeling he’ll be more vocal about his cake selection. I can’t wait.
