Twenty-Eight

Today I turned 28 years old! 

Perhaps my perception of birthdays and getting older will change when I hit a more notable milestone, but for now, I do not mind growing older and welcome the opportunity to be spoiled with cake and presents :)

Here is what my day of celebrations was looked like:

(not pictured) we met up with some friends for a play date/visiting teaching at a local community center play area

Picnic in the park!  Mother Nature was especially kind and gave me some beautiful 80 degree weather to enjoy for my special day! (Here in KC its been cold, cold, cold and rainy all spring)

 Ice cream! 

Birthday Cake!  My good friend, Emily, was so sweet and made me this yummy cake.  It was also really fun to have some good company to help us celebrate! This cake is also a break of tradition for me.  For the last 27 birthdays, I have always had red devils food cake with my grandmother's famous fluffy white frosting (more commonly known as 7 min frosting) for my birthday cake.  However, on my birthday last year, we discovered Ava's egg allergy (the frosting is made with egg whites) when she had a reaction to my cake. I really wanted to have a cake that she could eat with us, but when Emily asked what kind of cake I wanted, my mind went blank.... what other birthday cake is there?? Undecided, I finally told Emily to pick something chocolate-y and decadent.  And Emily, who is an amazing cook, made this really yummy chocolate cake with a chocoalte mouse filling and topped with chocolate ganache.  It was perfect! She sent me home with the leftovers... they won't last long ;)

Presents!  Ava was very excited about this and wanted to help open the presents.  Actually, she spent most of the day insisting it was her birthday. 

It was a wonderful day and my friends and family sure made me feel loved!  Too bad birthdays only come once a year :)