CurrentMom: Birthday Celebrations -- The Best Cake Ever

Meal Monday

I celebrated a birthday last week, and while I don't necessarily embrace the relentless march of aging, I do cherish how my son, now 11, went out of his way for me. It was not a significant birthday, in the way that every fifth or tenth birthday is now. My family got me a new coffee maker, which everyone is enjoying immensely.

But Henry told me he wanted to make me dinner as my present. He is a fussy eater himself, and doesn't spend a lot of time cooking these days (understatement of the century), so I was impressed with his thoughtfulness. He sees me working in the kitchen every evening and in his own very perceptive way, understood that relieving me of this duty for one night would be a gift.

My husband also offered to pick up dinner, so we ended up compromising: Henry made the appetizer and the dessert and we had sushi as a main course. (When my daughter was six, her birthday dinner request was "Thai food and Fudgsicles," so that's what we had. Our birthday dinners do not always comprise sophisticated menus and combinations, but they are always heartfelt).

First, he made the chicken soup. He carefully poured the box of organic, low sodium chicken broth into the pot, cut up carrots and celery and tossed them in, then added some small pasta. It was delicious (and if it needed a little salt, that was my fault for stocking low sodium broth).

Next, he made the dessert -- what else but birthday cake? He followed the cake mix directions diligently and used two round pans so we'd have a layer cake. Into the oven. When the timer went off (a very cool, multi-timer device that was Henry's Hanukkah present to me), he put them carefully on the cooling racks. Later, he carefully spread the store-bought frosting over the cakes.

There was one moment of panic, when a divot came off the top of the cake, but it was nothing an extra spoonful of frosting couldn't rectify.

When it was done, with a few scrounged up candles popped on top, it was the most beautiful birthday cake I've ever had.

The Best Birthday Cake Ever

One box cake mix

One container store-bought frosting

candles

One 11-year-old boy

Prepare cake according to package directions. Bake and cool. Spread frosting. Put candles on top. Sing to Mom.