Year 1

It’s been a little over a year since my daughter - Penelope - made her entrance into the world. A year since my heart left my body. My heart now rolls around everywhere, bounces, and squeals when it laughs.

I know every parent is obliged to say this, but I truly believe P is the world’s best baby. She’s funny, she’s compassionate, she’s a blessing to everyone who’s lucky enough to know her. God broke the mold when He made P.

P’s whole story is quite unconventional and maybe one day - with her permission - I’ll share, but I think the whole point of the story is that she’s a walking miracle. And I just so happen to have the privilege of making this little walking miracle’s birthday cakes for the next however long she’ll let me.

The Cake

P is a joy. She loves making people laugh and she’ll lift you up from the darkest of places if you’ll let her, so it only felt right to have her cake feature something that does kind of the same thing, just in a more literal sense.

Hot air balloons.

I wanted her cake to be something photo-worthy. Something that she may look back on ten or so years from now and say “wow, that was pretty cool”. Something that set her cake - and birthday - apart from the other cakes I do throughout the week.

So, we went with a two-tiered, modern square cake.

This “Up, Up, & Away Cake” has seven layers of velvety, rich chocolate and vanilla goodness wrapped in a perfectly sweet almond buttercream, fluffy clouds, “balloons”, and hot air balloon charms.

I took the first tier off before cutting and serving the second tier and gave it to P for her smash cake - and spoiler alert, she already knew exactly what to do (she may have had a little bit of practice).

We celebrated with immediate family and had tons of fun and took lots of pictures.

P is so loved, and I hope she knows it.

Enjoy!

Hot Air Balloon Charms: HappyHoursLV on Etsy

Acrylic Name Plate: CheerlyDecor on Etsy

Coloring: AmeriColor