Construction Cake Returns
We celebrated Will’s fourth birthday yesterday, and as you can see, it was a day of glorious celebration and excess for him, starting with breakfast out and a stack of pancakes bigger than his head.
That’s birthday frog out to breakfast with us, a present from his friend Lydia when he was still a wee one nicknamed Froggy.
We enjoyed a swim after breakfast, and then a wonderful party with friends and family in the afternoon. And cake.
I know you’ve heard me say this before, but seriously, folks?
BEHOLD.
This year’s construction/dirt cake topped last year’s version by a fair bit, with a water feature, a roadway and pixie stick/caramel guardrails. The cake was Smitten Kitchen’s moist, delicious Homemade Devil Dog Chocolate Cake, and it was enhanced with chocolate pudding as mortar, gummy worms of two varieties, pulverized oreos for that earthy, dirty look and pulverized golden oreos as sand. Oh, and a retaining wall of chocolate frosting and malted milk balls. Sorry I didn’t take step-by-step photos as I went, as you might imagine, my hands were COVERED IN CHOCOLATE.
I SO hope Henry wants one of these next year. I’m thinking of a Necco-shingled cottage being constructed by the sea…
My favorite part was seeing all these sweet little ones chomping on what looked like real, mud-covered worms. (Brown earthworms courtesy of Bee’s in Bar Harbor, Maine.)
Like the symbolic STOP sign?
And finally, the dreamy look on his face may be my favorite shot of the day, so I tag it my Best Shot Monday. For more best shots, head over to Tracey’s.
Happy birthday, my big four-year-old boy! We love you!
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Anna Sawin is a Connecticut-based portrait, wedding, and editorial photographer. She lives in the shoreline town of Stonington with her family and has discovered the perfect cupcake. Just ask, she is willing to share her secret.
Once again, your pictures are amazing! Never has an earthworm looked so good. Happy Birthday Will!
Also, what is that delicious looking topping on the birthday pancakes?
Happy birthday, Mr. Will!
Happy Birthday Will and Mom…
wow! that cake is something else –kudos to you on that construction project!
Oh those worms are too cool!! I love the cake, makes me think I should talk my girls into liking construction before their next birthday!!
AWESOME!! You totally beat my cakes. I bow down to you. you rock.
And oh my, does he ever look just like you in that very first photo.
Wow! What a great birthday!
NO WAY! I am shamed. Really. Cuz I really thought my 4 year old’s Walmart cake was good. You are the master.
Happy birthday, big boy!
holy moly! you have outdone yourself. that’s one awesome cake! ๐ and i love the worms, though i admit i feel a little squeamish now. happy birthday, will!!! ๐
So…again, we get to sample one of these when?! I mean, Carrie brought in cupcakes!
And yikes….happy birthday Will!
I think I might need to make one of those construction cakes for my husband’s next birthday since my daughter’s all about Barbie cakes….
Happy Birthday dear William….
Anna. the cake is spectacular by adult standards…and can you imagine being a 4 year old boy? He’s very sure, I’m sure, that he has the best mom ever! Very COOL.
Tell us, how many hours went into the planning/baking/assembling of that construction zone masterpiece/pile? Love it.
Happy Birthday Will!
He is getting so grown up – and more handsome all the time. But that cake — WOW! You are, hands down, my cake hero!
That is the coolest cake I’ve ever seen! I will have to remember that one for my boys!
Your little guys are so cute!!! I love that last pic of Will. Who could resist a face like that?
Very cool cake.
Happy Birthday Will! That is by far the best birthday cake I have EVER seen. I’m thinking I need to get the girls down and dirty…maybe I can convince them of a Construction cake for next year. Spectacular!!!
Happy Birthday Will!!! You so totally rocked that cake…I am so impressed! What kid wouldn’t love it??
Wow–that’s a very impressive construction site!
the effect this is having on me today is to feel sorry for my own children, who have regular cupcakes on their birthdays. you are amazing! your kids are so lucky.
i just got a really disgusting cookbook to review: “Gross Out Cakes.” have you seen it? it is truly stomach flipping. (“phlegm brulee” is one option.) you make much better use of gummy worms here.
Happy Birthday, Will!!! New England now has two Big Dig projects. xo
Happy Birthday, Will!!!!
What an AMAZING cake! And a super fun day! ๐
Good gosh, woman, you just keep outdoing yourself! Will you come make a cake like that for MY birthday? I bow down to your kitchen prowess.
Of course it goes without saying that the pics rock. The sweet apple-cheeked young ‘uns chomping on worms is too cute for words.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Will. I don’t think you could be more adorable if you tried!!!
how freakin AWESOME!!!!! You shots were so great, I could SMELL the chocolate! LOVE the pancakes and birthday frog…my fave has to be the close up of the little boy slurpin up a dirty worm! Super FAB!!!!!
I love that last photo. A boy in truck and sign heaven! Elias really dug those earth worms- no pun intended. Welcome to 4 Will!
You and these cakes!!! I’m keeping one of these photos for ideas later!
Heeyyyy. I recognize those signs. I had a set of those growing up. I remember my sister confusing the heck out of me when I asked her what the yield meant. Looks like a great party!
That is so creative and looks so yummy!! I amy have to try this for one of my boys!!