The Birthday Party With Friends
Greetings to all.
Today was his big birthday party Xavier has awaited weeks to have.
We spent the morning playing Minecraft (a Saturday morning "tradition" Xavier rarely varies from), setting up the back yard for guests, then taking a walk down along the river.
After the walk, Xavier grew anxious for his friends to arrive. In fact, all during the walk, he wanted to get home in case someone arrived early.
As always, Rebecca months ago asked Xavier what he wanted for a birthday cake. His answer this year (or, perhaps his "final answer" this year), he wanted a Stargate on his cake.
Stargate SG-1 is a 2000s era TV show about space exploration and adventure. "It's my new favorite adult TV show," Xavier informed me some time back.
This year's cake proved something of a challenge for Rebecca, but she pulled it off.
She and Aunt Kathy figured out the wormhole opening "splash" effect late last night. Rebecca had concerns that the moisture in the air from this week's several rain storms would keep the sugar candy from setting up right.
With some research and a new (and accurate) candy thermometer, Rebecca pulled off a raspberry flavored "splash" that perfectly fit into the stargate ring.
Near the end of the party, we brought forth the cake and topped it with a sparkler having the shape of the numeral "8".
Everyone sang Happy Birthday as the sparkler burned, then we commenced eating the cake: a chocolate and vanilla swirl cake with buttercream frosting, with marzipan rocks and a cookie ramp leading up to the stargate.
Even in the afternoon downpour of rain half way through the time window, everyone enjoyed a successful and fun party. Several boys had squirt gun fights, even during the rain, and many adventures and much fun was had by the children racing around the yard.
Even the few adults enjoyed conversation over food and beverages. Xavier's choice of food this year: pizza rolls.