Birthday cake for breakfast.

One of my favorite parts of the summer comes on July 15th;

It is by little brother Max's Birthday.

 This is partially one of my favorite days because he's quite a sweet brother,

who opens the door for you, and offers to carry your groceries.

But also because,

He and I get to make a magical and whimsical,

and creative and artsy-fartsy

Birthday cake.

It started all with a hamburger cake.

Made of two vanilla cakes, with a chocolate cake in between

Complete with fries and ketchup made of strips of pound cake.

Then one year, after one of the Pirates of the Carribean movies came out,

(the first one with Davy Jones)

we made a cake covered with barnacles and starfish

and here's the fun part: they were made of cheerios, 

smarties, and chocolate covered raisins...

and banana pieces covered in icing squiggles

Last year, we made him an "Up" cake.

Complete with clouds, 

and lots of confetti sprinkle balloons, 

and a floating house,

...and Carl and Russell of course!

So thiiis year, after google-ing lots of cake ideas....

We decided it was time for a colosseum/gladiator cake...

With bananas for the arches,

and chocolate and butterscotch chips for the spectators.

Can you see why this is my favorite part of the summer??

Happiest (and much belated) Birthday Max Daniel!!

I love you!

Quote of the day:

"I tried to bake for my mother's Birthday - it took me four hours.

It was terrible, and I cried for three days."

--Rachel Ray