The Crazy Cupcake Lady
September 7, 2008 · Print This Article
When you hear that song what immediately comes to mind? Fantastical gift opportunity? Nostalgia? Acid reflux? It seems that most everyone either loves or despises the day they were born and how it may or may not be acknowledged.
Becoming a mother transformed me into The Crazy Cupcake Lady, among other things. My kids could not tell you too many of the material gifts they have been given. What makes my chest swell with more pride than Pam Anderson’s Double D’s is the fact my kids will joyfully recount how we celebrate.
Special energy exists in our house during birthday weeks. Dinner table conversations entail less about school and more about their favorite things. We talk about their wishes, dreams, past birthdays and build excitement toward their special day. The birthday kid gets additional consideration in family votes for the week. You know, meatloaf or pasta? The tough decisions. We do this quite a bit, regardless. Still, having extra weight in their vote during their birthday week seems to make them very happy. Extra voting power and presents. What kid wouldn’t dig it?
My nostalgia at present can not be denied. My baby girl celebrated her Sixth Birthday this weekend. We have been knee deep in pregnancy pictures, stories of their births and blissfully drowning in laughter coupled with happy tears. Part of our tradition includes chopsticks, hibachi and tons of laughter at a celebration birthday dinner. No matter what, I finagle the funds to take them out for their birthdays. Dessert is always cupcakes.
Cupcakes have been part of our tradition since the year my son turned two. Cupcakes were the preferred choice of his daycare teachers. The year he turned four, I was in between jobs and bakery cupcakes were not an option. To my shock, he didn’t want me to buy them. My Little Man wanted me to make cupcakes for the kids. Not just the kids in his class, but for each of the 82 kids at his daycare. I could not disagree with his logic about sharing.
I promised him I would make cupcakes for all the kids. Tradition was born while they spent that night at their dad’s house. I spent less than twenty bucks to buy everything I needed to bake and decorate until three in the morning. I giggle to think of how I must have appeared to be The Crazy Cupcake Lady with seven-dozen cupcakes in tow. I did not care. I walked into my son’s class and he practically knocked me over hugging me. He looked up at me and said, “Thank you, Mom.” The funny thing is, he was not thanking me for the cupcakes. He just beamed with a light I can’t explain. He was thanking me for keeping my promise.
My kids may ask if a promise is a “cupcake promise“, but they rarely question my word. It is one of the many bonds in the story of us. It is sweeter than any icing on any cupcake. The only thing sweeter is to hear my son tell the story.
Birthdays are the perfect opportunity to cozy up at the corner of Memory Lane and Sentimental Street. My kiddos never tire of hearing the stories of their respective births. Every. Single. Detail. My seven-year- old son knows he was born at 6:33 at night. This year, my daughter remembered she was born at “two-thirty something” in the afternoon. She just bobbed her little head, gave me one of her talking glances and waited for the story to be told.
With as much pride as Michael Phelps receiving an Olympic Gold Medal, I tell her who I called at 2:39 on Friday afternoon. They know I can not contain myself. Every year, I call someone at the hour and minute of their birth. I celebrate that moment and share the joy it brings me. Somehow, the joy burns brighter than any number of candles ever could.
There is a feeling which still rushes over me on their birthdays. Believe it or not, it’s not a diabetic coma from all the sugary-sweet goodness. It is only natural for me to look down at their sweet faces and see them as newborns. I can see them as they were first placed across my chest. Happy tears well up in me and overflow. It is as if I look at them and can see them growing up in slow motion. I don’t know about the Super Mom cape, but I am granted some sort of surreal power to feel them as they first nestled at my breast to nurse. I can feel their tiny fingers wrap around my own. I am brought back to the first moments I ever shared with them. I get to relive that pure joy on a level which can never be expressed.
Motherhood humbles me beyond words. It all began with their birthdays.
Celebrating with my kids made me wonder about my Eve-101 family. How do YOU feel about birthdays, especially your own? Do you have any traditions? What makes the day extra special for you?
On 09/7/08 at 4:16 am
Anne said:
Hehe! Haven’t read yet. Just wanted to feel special for a moment.
On 09/7/08 at 6:54 am
Carol said:
You should feel special in LOTS of moments!!!
On 09/7/08 at 4:28 am
Anne said:
So now that I’ve read and said a small prayer of thanks for waterproof mascara…
I’m mostly indifferent about my birthdays. I know I’ll remember, but if others remember is out of my control. A few months ago, it was my own mother who forgot my birthday and my husband made a big deal about celebrating.
This year, all I wanted as gifts were bottles of pretty smelling shower gels and lotions — practical and special at the same time.
When it comes to my son, I’m totally geeked and already planning for next April when he turns two…. Le sigh… I think he’ll be six foot twelve by then.
On 09/7/08 at 6:58 am
Carol said:
I get to vitually spank you, Anne. Think about this….if you are indifferent about your own birthday, how do you expect Little Man P to learn how to celebrate his own? As geeked as you are for him, don’t you think he would be as geeked for you? My kids freaking LOVE to be part of planning something special for my birthday and their dad’s. Then again, they like to be included in everything possible. And, me being me, I value any opportunity to share those moments and conversations with them.
He won’t be 6-12….yet. I think you are safe!
On 09/7/08 at 6:55 am
Meghan said:
I will more than likely be hitting my favorite bakery 3 towns over by the end of the day!
My parents were always good about celebrations. With three kids, we knew money was tight - but we always had great birthdays. Usually involving a grill and any relative was welcome.
Now that I am older, I don’t care much for how I celebrate. As long as I am surrounded by friends, we could all do just about anything.
On 09/7/08 at 7:03 am
Carol said:
Tell the baker I said hello!
I love hearing that others parents were so good about family celebrations. It sounds like you treasure those memories…just as I expect my kiddos will cherish ours.
I am feeling so sappy today, I won’t even harp on your “now that I am older” bullshittery. Okay, maybe just a small, facetious little dig. I think I have gotten a bit younger each year since turning 35. Yep, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! I am forty, but feel 32-ish most days.
On 09/7/08 at 9:00 am
Meghan said:
I know, it’s a much better attitude!
I will say that nothing makes this lady happier than planning the birthday parties of the little ones! My thing is the gift/party bags…I get way too excited about making an inexpensive but creative take-away for the little guests.
I couldn’t be at my nephew’s last birthday (out of state), so that was my contribution. I filled up a dozen or so animal themed gift bags and sent them off for his party at the Toledo Zoo. When my sister-in-law sent me the pics, I definitely had that heart swell.
On 09/7/08 at 9:11 am
Carol said:
Oh, the heart swell moments are priceless! I look forward to our weather cooling at least ten degrees so we can enjoy a day at our local zoo.
On 09/7/08 at 7:13 am
Kiki said:
I’m the oldest of five kids and we always had special days. We got to choose the evening meal, have as many friends over as could fit round the table or in the garden, drink fizzy soda (we were never allowed it except on our birthday or at Xmas!) and just generally be Queen Bee for the day! We didn’t always have a lot of money, so everything was home cooked or home made, but that made the day so much more special. We each had a favourite cake that would be cooked for us. Mine was this decadent chocolate cake that had like a thick crust and a really goooey sauce underneath. Divine.
Nowadays I like to celebrate with good friends, good food, and good wine. I don’t get presents as much, but I do feel loved and appreciated, which is worth so much more.
On 09/7/08 at 7:45 am
Carol said:
Oldest of Five? My goodness, you have been in caretaker mode for your entire life!
I love hearing that you picked the meal, had your favorite dessert and enjoyed other “treats”. I love hearing it because twenty years from now, I believe my kiddos will echo similar joy at their memories.
Damn, girl, you just made me feel like I am doing something right!
On 09/7/08 at 7:49 am
Kiki said:
LOL I changed my first diaper when I was 7!!!! And haven’t stopped since (23 years of diaper changing - that makes me need a really, really big, really really strong, drink!)!
I think the best memories in childhood do not come from the toy store.
So keep on doing whatever it is you’re doing
On 09/7/08 at 9:15 am
Carol said:
LOL…Does it make you feel better to know I have almost 33 years of such experience?
Does that make my drink stronger than your drink? Bwah…ha…ha
I can see you, Meghan and myself portioning out a bottle of wine according to our experience. And, then, invariably, laughing that it’s MUCH more fun to just all drink ourselves a bit silly telling stories.
Our best memories are never associated with the toy store. I agree with you whole-heartedly on that one.
On 09/7/08 at 7:57 am
Lou P. said:
You made 82 cupcakes?!? You are a good mom!
On 09/7/08 at 9:16 am
Carol said:
I was, in fact, The Crazy Cupcake Lady. For shame, I had no idea how long it would take to bake that many with only two cupcake pans…much less cool and decorate them. But, it’s a priceless memory to all of us…especially my son.
On 09/7/08 at 4:01 pm
Sarahh said:
I was JUST about to ask, how many pans did you have?? If I had done that with 2 pans, they would have sent me to the asylum!
Good work MOM!
On 09/7/08 at 8:17 pm
Carol said:
It surely goes under “things we do for love of our kids” column. If I had known how long it would take, I would have bought two more pans!
On 09/7/08 at 8:04 am
Chris said:
I don’t really have any outstanding birthday memories… maybe the card my sister gave me many, many years ago that said, “This year, may all your birthday wishes come true… including the one about the two coeds in the tub on lime Jell-O.”
Or the Earthquake Cake… for my 15th birthday (the first birthday after my family had moved from Huntington Park to Lakewood), my mother tried her hand at making a double layer cake. It was her first attempt and the second layer disintegrated when she tried to put it on the lower layer. She tried to “glue” it back together with the icing, but that only made it worse. When she brought out the triple-chocolate masterpiece, it was a misshapen mass of chocolate cake, chocolate chips, and chocolate frosting. On the spot, we dubbed it The Earthquake Cake (we ARE from California, after all). It was the best damn cake I have ever had!
On 09/7/08 at 9:19 am
Carol said:
I adore the Earthquake Cake story! I do hope you think deliberately about how wonderful YOU are and choose to celebrate your birthday with more zest this year.
I swear, I am on a mission for all to celebrate LIFE…and what better way to begin than to celebrate our birthday?
On 09/7/08 at 8:57 pm
Chris said:
This year, I’m planning to celebrate my birthday with a business meeting, as it were. A long-time friend of mine lives out in the desert, now, and has a large patch of land. He tells me it’s cheap out there for huge lots with lots of space for… um… what I plan to put on it. So I’m going out there to look at land, talk business, drink beer, consume herbal insomnia medication, shoot guns, and just have a good time in general. Good times. Good times.
On 09/7/08 at 8:14 am
Trista said:
Man, I want a cupcake. I might have to make some today now!
Birthdays are a big deal to me. They are the day that we give thanks for a particular special someone being in the world and in our lives. They are about making that person feel as special as they are — honoring them.
Gah…I feel a little weepy.
On 09/7/08 at 9:23 am
Carol said:
Oh, I have been the Weep-master all freaking weekend. Try looking at prego pics with your boys sometime. My kids LOVE the fact that I have pics with them in my belly…wearing the same outfits. So, they can see how different they were, even in utero!
On 09/7/08 at 9:35 am
Trista said:
My kids LOVE looking at pictures from the pregnancies and from babyhood. They cannot believe that they were ever that small and “drooley,” to quote thing 2.
When I move we are going to have to road trip it to meet in the middle and get our buncha monkeys together…I swear.
On 09/7/08 at 9:58 am
Carol said:
Our monkeys…oh, yes! They would have too much fun…and we would be readily entertained!!I’m glad it’s not just my kids who love the prego and baby pics!
On 09/7/08 at 8:26 am
melanie said:
Moosh-pot Monday has moved to Sunday. Happy Birthday Sass Monkey!
We always have a favorite-food birthday bash for everyone. Miss P once had a pancake extravaganza as her birthday party theme. Thankfully, my girls are still cheap on their favorite food requests. They’re still most excited about hotdogs and pizza.
On 09/7/08 at 9:25 am
Carol said:
Miss P and Morgan would indeed be fast friends. Pancakes are her all time fave! It’s my Little Man with the expensive taste.
Thank you soooo much for coming by here today!!!
On 09/7/08 at 8:51 am
Cherie said:
:tear: I love birthdays. And now I want to make cupcakes!
On 09/7/08 at 9:26 am
Carol said:
Make it a cupcake Sunday with D! You know my kids…you can see the head bobbing goodness which is Sass!
I really appreciate your support, Cherie. MOLA!
On 09/7/08 at 9:08 am
Vicki said:
I love this. My weekend seems to have been filled with thoughts of cupcakes, and it all started when I realized just how close I work to the cupcake place downtown. I will be taking myself there on my birthday. Yesterday Angela told me her new favorite slogan was “Make cupcakes, not war.” And today you’re all about the cupcake. The carbohydrate angels must be telling me something.
In any event, I’m looking forward to tonight. Please let me know if I can bring anything!
On 09/7/08 at 9:28 am
Carol said:
The Carbohydrate Angels! I love it….
Nothing to bring. I have a few beers, I have wine. I have pork tenderloin, chicken and steak to put on the grill. Yes, all three. It’s Little Man’s “thing”.
We will eat and talk…and no doubt, laugh.
On 09/7/08 at 9:29 am
Phoenix said:
My best friend and I are only 4 days apart. We have known each other for 27 years, most of which we have a giant birthday bash in mid-February bringing together both “sides” of friends and family.
Last year (b-day 33) we rented a couple of hotel rooms downtown, went to the Winter Blast festival during the day and then hit the bars after dark. About 10 of us hopping around town from afternoon til well past 5 am was a HOOT!
Best part about last years plan? No one had to drive because we just cabbed everywhere!
On 09/7/08 at 9:38 am
Carol said:
That does sound like a huge time!!!For my fortieth, my girlfriends came from across the country to celebrate with me. Not much beats silly girl talk until the wee hours!
On 09/7/08 at 10:26 am
Jime said:
Mmm cupcakes. They are cake IN A CUP–what’s not to love?
Yesterday was my sisters birthday. She lives in Denver, and I am out in Cali. I tried calling and it went to voice mail, but I know that my parents went up to visit her and the kids so she was probably busy. That’s what birthdays have become for me and mine, a call, a conversation–but we talk often anyway so it’s usually not a long conversation, just a happy tidings on a special day.
When we were kids my parents were very good about making it a magical day for us kids.
On 09/7/08 at 10:36 am
Carol said:
Come on, Jime…I am hear to garner wisdom (and ideas!) from those who have had such “magical days”. What did your family do that made it magical?
On 09/7/08 at 11:15 am
Jime said:
Heh, you know really they just kept it simple. The birthday person would get to choose what to eat for dinner (again, it was stuff that was made and not bought). We’d also get to choose what kind of cake we wanted. I was switching mine up as the years passed from all white to cheesecake with cherry to carrot cake. My taste buds seem to have matured into liking whatever is worst for my waistline. Splendid.
We’d exchange presents then (and now) but nowadays that’s not such a big deal. It means more to just talk and connect with my siblings than to get any kind of gift.
One of my friends this year (34) is having a “Japanese Game Show” birthday. His girlfriend is making all these gameshow events for the partygoers to do, ha! She told me that she is trying to construct a velco wall….
On 09/7/08 at 11:26 am
Meghan said:
Ohhhhhh…Carrot Cake!
Ever accidentally start to drool and suck it back in at the last second? Just me?
On 09/7/08 at 1:11 pm
Jime said:
Mmm, like eating it twice. Wow I never thought of that–double the pleasure!! I’ll have to try that out.
On 09/7/08 at 1:15 pm
Meghan said:
Ewww, I just meant stopping myself from drooling…not recon mission for a bite that gets away! LOL
On 09/7/08 at 2:00 pm
Jime said:
No need to be ashamed about your sloppy eating habits, Meghan. You have nothing but the utmost respect here at Eve-101. Even if you do eat with a bib.
On 09/7/08 at 3:12 pm
Kiki said:
LMAO!!!!!
Jime you have her pegged. LOL.
Sorry Meghan
On 09/7/08 at 7:08 pm
Jime said:
Thanks Kiki. In her defense I’m sure she has a variety of edgy and fashionable bibs to choose from (that’s what I read in Limpidity, anyway).
On 09/7/08 at 7:23 pm
Meghan said:
You are full of shenanigans, Mister! Kiki was out of line. I am a lady as I chow down…always.
On 09/7/08 at 7:29 pm
Jime said:
Yup, I agree 100%. A lady in a bib.
On 09/7/08 at 1:38 pm
Carol said:
Maybe I am just being giddy over silliness…but I love learning that my Eve family has done the whole birthday dinner and cake choosing route together. Believe it or not, that was NOT the case for me growing up. My birthday was often forgotten, perhaps because it comes after Christmas. then again, My son’s comes just before mine and I can’t imagine ever NOT remembering it!!!
The velcro wall sounds dangerous.
On 09/7/08 at 2:18 pm
Jime said:
One of my brothers birthday is just after Christmas so I know all about the importance of separating the two events. I also have a friend, and her birthday was on Christmas Eve. Tough digs. So, we (me and a close group of friends) would always make sure to take Andi out for her birthday as a separate event from Christmas. It must be a pretty widespread social phenomenon with people who have birthdays next to holidays.
That velcro wall DOES sound dangerous. But I think my insurance should cover it.
On 09/7/08 at 2:27 pm
Carol said:
Your insurance should cover it…that made me giggle.
Jime pay premiums long time!!!
On 09/7/08 at 11:20 am
Cassie said:
I’m sneaking computer time.
I LOVE my birthdays, it usually means I’ll be getting drunk with SOMEONE and what’s not to like about that? lol
I also like ANY excuse to get a bunch of children together and watch their dynamics…tis why I love childrens’ birthday parties!!
On 09/7/08 at 1:39 pm
Carol said:
Any excuse…say, like moving from one house and watching my baby sisters kids with my own? That WAS fun!
Oh, we all know I drank wayyyyy too much for my fortieth. But, I am just more focused on the blessing of sharing it with you and everyone else!
Glad you snuck some computer time.
On 09/7/08 at 1:36 pm
Dillon said:
I don’t think about my birthdays much anymore. It tends to be about a week before my birthday before I realize that I’m about to tack on another year.
As a kid, birthdays were a big deal because of all the attention I got (not to mention presents–what kid doesn’t like presents). Then, as I got older and I got less attention, my enthusiasm cooled a bit. Birthdays became something to remind me that I was collecting years.
For a bit, I kind of disliked that whole concept: I’m getting older. I’m not as young as I used to be. I’m not a kid anymore. Etc, etc, etc. Now, I kind of enjoy being older. I’m a grown up.
I like the cupcake story. Keeping your promises is pretty high on my “good person” list of attributes. Especially when those promised results in smiles and happiness!
On 09/7/08 at 1:42 pm
Carol said:
It’s strange. I don’t like generaliites (then again, I’m blonde and Polish!!!), but it seems men do tend to feel this way more often than women.
I feel like I am on a mission to bring everyone together to focus on how special they are…every.single.day. It’s easier to focus on getting everyone on board with at least celebrating themselves ONE day a year!
My kids will be adults one day. I have no doubt they will think of me and our cupcake promises every time they see cupcakes. It is a nice reminder about keeping our word. And, for anyone who doesn’t think kids notice such things…they absolutely do!
On 09/7/08 at 4:08 pm
Trista said:
“I feel like I am on a mission to bring everyone together to focus on how special they are…every.single.day. It’s easier to focus on getting everyone on board with at least celebrating themselves ONE day a year!”
~You have the BEST mission statement…EVER. Love it. It’s inspirational.
On 09/7/08 at 8:43 pm
Carol said:
Gotta tell you…after the weekend I’ve had, it’s REALLY nice to share thoughts and such with the Eve Family. But, to log back in and see this at 11:49 pm is priceless.
Thanks, T. More than you know.
On 09/7/08 at 9:20 pm
Chris said:
To quote Mana`o Company:
People are you listening to what we’re about to say?
You see, we’re on a mission, trying to find a way.
If you and me, make a guarantee,
to spread a little aloha around the world.
And I know we, we can work it out,
and make this world a better place for you and for me.
A-L-O-H-A, a little aloha in our day.
Spread a little aloha around the world.
A-L-O-H-A, a little aloha in our day.
Spread a little aloha around the world.
Could you imagine, all around the world,
A little aloha in every boy and girl?
Could you imagine, how simple life could be,
With a little aloha in you and me?
Let’s spread a little bit of aloha,
Put a little love in your heart,
Take a little dip in the ocean,
Ah yeah (ah yeah), uh-huh (uh-huh)
Singin’ A-L-O-H-A, a little aloha in our day.
Spread a little aloha around the world.
A-L-O-H-A, a little aloha in our day.
Spread a little aloha around the world.
Well, aloha means hello; and aloha means goodbye;
And aloha means I love you, and I want to take it higher
(I want to get high) with a little aloha.
(I can touch the sky) with a little aloha, aloha.
Let’s spread a little bit of aloha,
Put a little love in your heart,
Take a little dip in the ocean,
Ah yeah (ah yeah), uh-huh (uh-huh)
Singin’ A-L-O-H-A, a little aloha in our day.
Spread a little aloha around the world.
A-L-O-H-A, a little aloha in our day.
Spread a little aloha around the world.
(A-L-O-H-A, A-L-O-H-A)
On 09/8/08 at 3:17 pm
Carol said:
I. Love. this!
On 09/7/08 at 3:21 pm
Karri said:
HI! Sorry I’m late…twas at the ranch/farm/arbor/parentals…whatever the hell we call it nowadays.
I LOVELOVELOVE how much effort you put into making the whipper snappers Birthdays special! Being as how mine is so close to Christmas, my parents would always wait until after my day to put up our tree. Of course that meant that we didn’t have it up for very long, but even now I remember how much it meant to me not to get lumped in with the baby Jesus.
On 09/7/08 at 3:32 pm
Meghan said:
My mother’s B-day is 10 days before x-mas, so we used to do the same.
My younger brother and I are 8 days apart in September…so we definitely had our share of joint birthday parties. The folks still made sure to keep is special for each of us as individuals.
On 09/7/08 at 3:54 pm
Karri said:
Due to my Mom’s incessant need to put me in school sooner than I should have been, I actually got 2 Birthdays! One in November to coincide with my fake birth date on my fake birth certificate and then another celebration on my real day a month later.
Who says cheaters don’t prosper? HA!
On 09/7/08 at 3:56 pm
Kiki said:
LOL that’s funny.
Or not.
So do you still have 2 birthdays? How long did your mum pull that off for? It’s quite ingenius and yet so wrong!
On 09/7/08 at 4:10 pm
Trista said:
Like *cough*we don’t want the kids to know they were conceived out of wed lock*cough* ??
On 09/7/08 at 4:16 pm
Kiki said:
Ohhhhh….my parents got wed December 20th 1978. I was born May 20th 1978.
Yep. I was an extremely scrawny, ugly baby so I believed that I was seriously preemie until I had a good look at the wedding photos. Mum had a baby bump for sure. Shotgun wedding.
On 09/7/08 at 4:16 pm
Kiki said:
That should have been December 20th 1977. Jeeeez I have no useful brain function today.
On 09/7/08 at 4:30 pm
Karri said:
Oh. My. Gosh, Kiki!
My parents were married on May 18th and my B-day is December 19th. Although we do have a *ahem* 10′ish year difference.
On 09/7/08 at 4:41 pm
Kiki said:
Hahahahahaha… tragically similar state of affairs.
On 09/7/08 at 4:48 pm
Karri said:
And I’m the youngest of 5…odd, just odd!
On 09/7/08 at 5:12 pm
Kiki said:
I have goosebumps. Do you have 2 of each flavour siblings? Is your mum called Sue?
On 09/7/08 at 5:43 pm
Kiki said: