Mommy’s Secret Cake … And Birthday Update
by Jenners • 09/28/2010 • Kindle, Life • 106 Comments
Although I’m a bit late, I just HAD to do this week’s prompt for Saturday Centus (He never dreamed when he blew out the candles on his cake… ) because it was a big birthday week at our house. The Little One’s birthday was Friday, and my birthday was Sunday. (He was 6 and I was … um… older.)
Saturday Centus asks you to write a story (up to 100 words) based on the prompt provided. The only real rule is that you cannot split up the prompt … it must be left intact. However, you don’t have to count the prompt words in your 100 words. Your story can be fact or fiction. After you post, you should link up over at Jenny Matlock’s wonderfully creative blog off on my tangent.
I’m ashamed to say that the following story is not fiction. I really am that selfish and gluttonous.
Mommy’s Secret Cake
He never dreamed when he blew out the candles on his cake that his was not the only birthday cake in the house. Sure, his cake was the fanciest and most colorful. But deep inside the freezer, another cake waited.
This cake was made of chocolate ice cream and filled with chocolate crunchy things that could cause grown women (like his mother) to experience something akin to sexual bliss.
It was a cake that would only be eaten by one person.
A person who would consume the cake alone … in the depths of the night when everyone else lay sleeping.
This was not a cake to be shared with anyone.
The End
And if you’re interested, here is a brief rundown on the Little One’s birthday party and my birthday loot.
- 10:30 am – I finish decorating the deck with my homemade jellyfish (we had a Spongebob theme) and settle down to wait for the party guests. I’m confident I’ve planned enough activities to keep six kids busy for 2.5 hours. However, I’m alarmed by the temperature, which is in the upper 80s. I vow that no matter how hot the kids get, they will NOT be allowed in the house.
The deck decorated
- 11:00 am – The first guests arrive. It takes all my power to keep them on the deck so they don’t find the stuff I’ve hidden for a treasure hunt.
- 11: 15 am – The natives are restless and tired of coloring Spongebob pictures. I break out the Giraffalff limbo and things get back on track.
- 11:30 am – Treasure hunt!
- 11:45 am – We begin playing a series of relay races … the boys against the girls. The girls crush the boys on every single game—regardless of how much I attempt to help the boys out.
- 12:30 pm – The Birthday Boy begins to cry because his team isn’t winning any games and says “I thought this party was going to be fun.” I die a little inside.
- 12:35 pm – Saved by the arrival of the pizza.
- 1:00 pm – Make your ice cream sundaes is a big hit. The kids come back for seconds and thirds. I see one girl with a bowl filled only with whipped cream. Hope she’s not lactose intolerant!
- 1:30 pm – We unveil the Spongebob cake. The Little One’s best friend makes a grab for the toys on top but we stop him in time.
The Little One's cake. MUCH more attractive than last year's cake.
- 2:00 pm – The party is supposed to be over but no one is going home. I guess that is the problem with inviting kids who live right next door.
- 2:15 pm – I’m crabby, sweaty and exhausted. Mr. Jenners informs me that for a birthday surprise, he is whisking me away to a night in a hotel while the aunts babysit the Little One. Alleluia!
- 2:30 pm – Mr. Jenners and I hug the Little One goodbye and make our escape—but not before the Little One gives me a Barnes & Noble gift certificate. Score!
- 3:30 pm – We check into the hotel. Blessed blessed peace.
- 3:45 pm – Unable to wait, Mr. Jenners gives me my birthday presents.
I wonder how he knew this was what I wanted? Could it be the blog post with Amazon link I wrote a few weeks ago?
A cover for my Kindle ... with a built-in light! How cool is that!???
- 4:15 pm – At Barnes & Noble, I use my gift certificate to buy these two books.
I cannot WAIT to read this!
Now I just need to get The Likeness!
- 5:30 pm – Dinner at Red Lobster, where I shamelessly eat six Cheddar Bay Biscuits all by myself.
- 7:30 pm – We return to the hotel and decide to watch Iron Man 2 on pay-per-view.
- 7:35 pm – The pay-per-view system is not working. The front desk says they will call when it is fixed.
- 8:15 pm – The front desk calls, but I’ve gotten comfy and fallen asleep. Mr. Jenners is stuck.
- 11:00 pm – We wake to fire alarms and have to evacuate the hotel due to an equipment malfunction. I take the time to save my Kindle with its cool new cover but leave my purse behind.
- 8:30 am – I wake up after (almost) 12 hours of sleep ready to … drive home and go to the Little One’s soccer game. I view the 12 hours of sleep as the greatest birthday present EVER!
Sorry I missed it – Happy late birthday to you both.
A secret cake and pay-per-view at a hotel. NICE!
What more could a mom want? : )
haha nothing wrong with keeping your own cake all to yourself. thats wonderfully selfish
Hope you and your little one had lovely days.
Every mom deserves to be wonderfully selfish on her birthday!
First of all that whole cake thing is my kinda thing, lol. I hope you both had wonderful birthdays! I love wee one’s cake! Tristan would love it too! And those two books you picked out, I keep eyeing them, please let me know what you think! I especially have had my eye on Room. Have you read either author before?
I’ll definitely be writing about both books. I read Tana French’s first book, In The Woods, and loved it. Here are my thoughts on it if you are interested: http://www.lifewithbooks.com/2010/09/rip-review-in-the-woods-by-tana-french.html
I haven’t read Emma Donoghue before … but I have heard good things about her previous book “Slammerkin.” “Room” sounds really creepy but good.
Did you make that cake for your son, it is fabulous as are the jellyfish decorations in your yard. Happy Birthday to you both – I cannot believe you had the evacuation alarm routine on your night away to deal with. Oh but maybe yes I can as strange things do seem to happen to you
I loved Tana French’s first two books and can’t wait to read the new one, I will have to check out the other two you mention here too.
No … I didn’t make that cake. It was store-bought. I am not capable of making a cake like that in my wildest dreams!
Hell, Jenners, you deserved every bite of that cake. Happy Birthday, and good on you, as we say in the Deep South! Oh, and the party looked wonderful.
I love that expression!
I was feeling sorry for you until 2:15 rolled around- and then I got JEALOUS! What a lovely end to the day!
Yeah … I kind of lose sympathy at 2:15.
Happy Birthday! Looks like I stopped over at the right time.
My birthday is September, too, should’ve known you were, too, from your love of books, like me.
Happy B-day!
P.S> So jealous of your new website. It’s so organized and I love the previews of posts and your auto reply to comments.
Awesome.
All the best people are born in September!
I’m loving my new site … moving away from Blogger was the best choice I made!
Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit something that made me enter “I.” I’m really not THAT narcissistic – not all the time. As I was saying: I think I’ve met my match!
Great post and blog!
xoRobyn
Don’t worry … I deleted your “I” comment! : )
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
That sounds wonderful (especially the part about the ice cream cake and the night of sleep)!
Your son’s cake looks fabulous! Reading about all of the events you had planned for the kids makes me so happy that I don’t have to plan another birthday party until August of next year.
I’m so glad I’m done for another year as well. That was HARD!
Hey, Jenners, when you come over to my blog this afternoon, can you stop at the store for a bottle of tequila? Thanks! I’m serving margaritas to the first-timers!
Those jellyfish are so cute! So glad you enjoyed your secret cake. = )
Sadly, the secret cake is gone now. I finished the last piece today … and I’ll admit that I licked the bottom of the plate when I was done. That is soooooo sad!
Wow, you get a whole birthday cake to yourself? Lucky! Sounds like it was quite a birthday weekend for you and the Little One
Happy belated birthday!
Yup … a whole cake to myself. Granted it was a little Carvel ice cream cake but I ate it all by myself. (I’m not proud of that though.)
Excellent birthday! Well done, Mr. Jenners. So glad you had a good time!
He did do good … as well he should as I practically paved the way for him to get everything just right! : )
A belated happy birthday Jenners. What can I say apart from too much cake isn’t good for someone of such tender years. Well, I have to stick with you, as I’d have done the same thing for all the right reasons – of course!
Everyone needs their own personal cake every now and then I think.
What a creative birthday party (yes, I am very impressed with those homemade jellyfish)! I think the kindle cover with built in light is extremely cool.
Happy Birthday to you and the little one
The Kindle cover is majorly cool. The light slides back in and runs off the Kindle’s power. So clever.
Aww … happy birthday, lady! I love the secret cake idea.
And sleep would probably be the number one thing I would ask for right now too!
Sleep and cake .. what more does a woman need from life? (Well, books … but that is a given.)
What a perfect birthday – for both you and the Little One! As for chocolate cake addictions – yes please! Make mine any flavour as long as it’s Chocoloate.
As for your presents – wonderful! Am dying to get the new Franzen book.
BTW, I’ve just finished reading Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. An unusual ghost story – highly recommended!
“Her Fearful Symmetry” was different, wasn’t it? I loved the first half and then had some major problems with the ending. But she is such an amazing writer I think.
What a day . . . but at least you had your priorities right and saved the kindle
congratulations on the yummy cake, night out and the new cover and light.
That new Kindle cover is so cool. The light slides back into the cover and it runs off the Kindle power. I wasn’t going to lose it in any pesky hotel fire.
When The Boy used to visit his dad for three agonizing weeks at a time (agonizing from both of our perspectives), I’d console myself with a 8 inch cake from a local grocery store bakery.
One time, I went in to order my pity cake, and the clerk asked what I wanted written on the cake.
The first thing that came to mind (and stayed inside my head) was “I’m a pig because I will eat this entire cake myself.”
That was the last pity cake I ever bought.
I was so, so sad.
Well, I guess that is one way of curing that type of craving. Did she actually write it on the cake???!!???
Belated birthday greetings – sounds as if everyone had a great time and lots of cake. What a lovely man you have whisking you away for your birthday (sigh).
It was a lovely thing to be whisked away. Too bad I fell asleep before 9:00!
Re: your response to my comment: Yeah, well it’s not MY problem. I did the best that I could under the circumstances. HAHAHAHA! If you want to know exactly what that means, go to my blog, and click on my baby picture on the left-hand side of the page under Jessica Lipman. Start with Chapter 1 of my posts, The Road Home.
Incidentally, did you check out my summer reading list on the left hand side of the blog?
Seems like I’ve got a lot to explore on your blog. I’ll be over for a visit this afternoon!
Just checked out your summer reading list. We’ve got some serious crossover. I’m guessing the Larsson books caught you and didn’t let you go! And I just finished “In The Woods” and fell in love with Tana French. Happy Reading!
Yummy cake..Trisha want… Happy belated birthday!
Trisha may want … but Trisha no get.
Many happy birthdays to all the J’s! Mommy Jenner and Mr. Little Jenner). We actually have two J birthdays coming up too – Jim is tomorrow and mine is soon thereafter, but we have to have two DIFFERENT cakes. I’m thinking buying from The Cheesecake Factory: chocolate for him (served with coconut gelato – yuck) and carrot cake for me. (served with Bryer’s Lactose-Free vanilla)
Well happy early birthday to both of you! Although I find your cake selection lacking in chocolate, if it makes you happy, I’m all for it!
Oh, I do so love SpongeBob! But I’d also like a Mommy Cake all to myself. Love the imagery of 2 a.m. gluttony!
A Mommy Cake may be plain … but it is darn delicious! And isn’t 2 am the best time for gluttony … no witnesses!
Happy Birthday Jenners! What a brilliant concept – a separate cake! I’ll have to do that too! (Tom doesn’t like to share sweets) Great story this week! Sounds like you and your son had a great time. Oh, and Cheddar Bay Biscuits are my kryptonite! Love ‘em! Enjoy your books and book cover! (After seeing it I have to go buy my wife one now.)
Yes … a separate cake is a must (especially when your birthday begins to get eclipsed by your child’s!) And I’m glad to meet another Cheddar Bay Biscuit lover! I’m sure your wife will love her Kindle cover! Don’t forget to get it!
How did I have two with the same birth date? Very careful planning, my dear, VERY CAREFUL!
And how did I get away with only one cake? Beats me, but I will probably hear about it at some point in my life, or maybe after I am gone. I can hear it now– “Didn’t it piss you off that we always had to share a birthday cake?” “Actually, that was MY cake, and I shared it with you because you were younger!” “Get out! Is that for real?”
You are just cracking me up! I’m sure there are years of therapy in their future! : )
What a whirlwind weekend. Lovely party; your decorations are awesome. So glad you and Mr J got away as well — great presents !
It was a whirlwind weekend … but full of fun. I’m glad to be back to normal though.
Happy Birthday to you both!!!
And I love the Spongebob cake…very nice! The jellyfish look awesome, great job
Sounds like you had a great birthday, wonderful gifts!
I have to tell you … the Spongebob cake tasted as good as it looked.
sleep does sound like an awesome gift happy belated birthday
Sleep is something that will always top my wishlist.
Happy belated birthday to another September person!! I think I told you I’m September, too….9/11 at that!
It sounds like a wonderful celebration for both of you!! (maybe with the exception of the brief tears at the party and the alarm at the hotel) Your jellyfish look quite clever.
All the best people are born in September! : )
When I had my birthday a little bit ago I told myself I was going to make myself a cake (because I never do) and guess what? I didn’t! Why doesn’t that surprise me? Instead I had lemon cookies. I like your cake idea better. I would put a lotta rum in mine. Hehe!
Next year I want you to PROMISE me you will make yourself your own private cake!
I almost ran away yesterday and went to a hotel by myself. It was that kind of day. My love plied me with wine and let me sit and blog for a couple of hours in peace. That made it a little bit better. If I would have had 20 cheddar biscuits in front of me, I would have eaten them all. I understand these needs.
Awww…sorry to hear you needed an escape. But a few hours of blogging and some wine can fix most anything! Here’s to Cheddar Bay Biscuits (my secret love).
Happy Birthday to you and your son. It sounds as though you had a great day
My son is five next week, so I’ll be suffering from the same party related stress in a few days time
I hope my party is as successful as yours!
It is HARD doing these children’s parties. I always forget to factor in the reality of children … how loud and strong-willed they are. It went well but was difficult. I see why parents try to outsource parties!
Good luck with your party!
Oh I might steal the sundae idea for Lucas’ upcoming party. The jellyfish are so cute!
I stole it from another mom. The kids (and the adults) all loved it .. especially squirting the whipped cream out of the containers. (Note: If you can do it outside, I would recommend that. It got a little messy … as do all fun thing.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Your day sounds so fun! I just saw that book Room, too. Time magazine?
Actually, I think I saw them both on there. I’ll have to wait to see if you like them before I spring for them!
I liked your link to SC, too, but I was so enamored of your Sponge Bob cake that I had to go back and read it a second time.
I like those little ‘private’ celebrations, too!
Thanks for linking!
Glad your day was so fabulous!
“Room” is nominated for a Booker Prize, which is a pretty big deal so that is perhaps why you’ve seen it around. I’ve seen it mentioned in several magazines and lots of book bloggers have been raving about it. And after reading Tana French’s “In The Woods,” I knew I had to read all the rest of her books.
Thanks, as always, for such a fun meme.
I need to buy another freezer so that I can actually HAVE secret cakes that my kids won’t find! My refrigerator’s freezer is too small, and the kids are have figured out how to find them. This will not do.
Sounds like you had a great birthday — 12 hours of sleep, books, and cheddar biscuits! Bliss.
I guess the advantage of having a 6-year-old is I can still outfox him as far as secret cakes. I’m sure that will end soon enough.
Sounds like though you had some things go a little wrong everything worked out great! Hope you and your little one had the best birthdays!
In the end, it all worked out. What is life without a few hiccups?
Happy belated birthday to you and the Little One! Yay for 12 hours of sleep (I could use that right now). I’m jealous that you got the latest Tana French book — I really want to read that one!
I’m working on getting The Likeness first so I can read it. But I thought I better spring for the new hardcover while I had the money. Look for it in future giveaways!
Ha!! Too funny — but I’d take those jellyfish for a SpongeBob party; they’re perfect!
And oh, meant to tell you before — yes I get the response back via an email. Looks good!
Thanks for letting me know about the e-mail thing … and for the compliment on the jellyfish!
Happy Belated Birthday!! I breathed a sigh of relief for you when you got whisked away to the sanctuary of the hotel room. However, waking up to fire alarms? Not great. But then the story ended happily with 12 hours of sleep. I love happy endings!
It was kind of freaky about the fire alarms. At least there wasn’t really a fire … that would have been bad.
Happy Birthday to you and your little one! ~Ames
Why thank you!
I loved the secret cake in the Centus. Yum!
It sounds like you had a great birthday but I’m very tired after reading about your day. Whew!
Well, I give you permission to go take a nap then!
Can I have a bite? Just one little taste? No? Fine, then! I’ll just go get one and EAT IT ALL BY MYSELF!
Loved your story! Two of my children have birthdays on the same day, two years apart! I should have had two cakes, but I didn’t. Am I a bad mother? I know that I am a terrible housekeeper!
Yes … you are a bad mother! Every child deserves their own cake!!! Jeesh.
And how did you manage to have two kids on the same day? That is bizarro!
Sounds like a fabulous day — I love the jellyfish!! And what great gifts!!!!
Thanks for loving the jellyfish. Mr. Jenners made fun of them but I thought they were great!
Your Saturday centus cracked me up. Why did I never think of that? Funny use of the prompt, and I learned something too! Love your new kindle cover, I’m looking for one myself.
That Kindle cover is really neat. The light slides back into the cover when you are done … and it runs off the power of the Kindle. And it opens like a real book! I just love it to pieces.
Your own personal birthday cake, aren’t you clever. Sounds like you had a Happy Birthday indeed. And 12 hours sleep amazing. Even the fire alarms were probably o.k. Happy Belated Birthday. to both of you.
Thank you for recognizing the genius of having your own cake. : )
There’s still some of that secret, blissful cake left? Your rundown on the little one’s b-day party brought back vivid memories. Funny & true.
Glad you had a great birthday!
There is a quarter of the secret cake left … one more day of sneaky pigdom for me!
Sounds like you and the little one both had awesome birthdays. 12 hours of sleep would rank right up there on my list of best birthday gifts EVER! And I love that Kindle cover with the built in light. I’m off to investigate how to get that one! Happy Belated Birthday!
The Kindle cover is super cool. And it clicks right back into the cover when you’re not using it and runs off the Kindle itself!
Oh, what a day! I’m glad my days of little ones is long past. I don’t mind being a guest at their parties, but I don’t want to run them anymore. I’m glad to see you had your priorities in the right place when the fire alarm went off.
We convinced the Little One that a birthday party at home would get him more presents from all the money we saved. What I didn’t count on was how tiring it would be!
You are a wise woman…the only way I get a birthday cake is when I make one myself! (Or buy one for myself!) I think there will be a secret cake in my freezer next February…shhh!
I won’t tell!! This is a tradition I established a few years ago when I realized my birthday would be forever eclipsed by the Little One’s. I’m not one to take the loss of a cake lying down!
I think you’re right (as usual). 12 hours of sleep IS the best birthday gift ever. Happy (Belated) Birthday! All of your presents are wonderful.
After you’ve had kids, I think sleep will top your wish list every time.
I like the way you think! I’m glad to hear that you and the Little One had terrific birthdays!! I love a trip to the bookstore as a birthday present. I also think the Spongebob cake is awesome. Pizza’s arrival at my house always calms the troops too. Enjoy that leftover cake!
My personal little Carvel cake is being eaten by me and me alone. I’m so so sad.
Having your own birthday cake is very wise. After all, self-care is important.
I agree 100%. Off to eat another slice since the house is empty right now!