The Birthday Partying Continues
March 30, 2009
My step father’s family is Italian. He was the first generation to be born here in the United States. So even though I do not have a drop of anything non-WASPY in me, I have always felt like I was Italian by association.
Every single one of my birthdays I had an Italian rum cake. I loved this cake. And I also loved that hardly any of my friends liked it because there would always be tons of cake leftover after my parties that I could eat myself. (And I wonder where my children get their selfish attitudes from)
I was telling my kids about the beloved rum cake when Rob said that he always had to have a rum cake for his birthday also. Except he hated it.
My son decided there and then that he had to have an Italian rum cake for his next birthday.
We found an Italian bakery in Austin and ordered him one. This is a cake they told us would feed 10 people. I guess everything really IS bigger in TX because this cake would easily feed 30 people. I had to clear an entire shelf off in the refrigerator for it.
All of the kids loved the rum cake. Except… this was not at all like the Italian rum cakes Rob and I had for our birthdays as children. Not that I could eat it anyway, since it is made with gluteny goodness that I can’t eat.
We only ate 1/4 of the cake last night. At this rate we can save it and reuse it for the next few birthdays that are coming up.
And just so I don’t forget.
Yesterday he pitched his very first baseball game. Two innings. Six kids up at bat. Six kids struck out. He was very excited. He had a really bad season last year, in part because he had an awful coach. (Hahahaha I just found this post I write last year about him playing baseball. It still makes me laugh.)
Unfortunately I didn’t get to see it. Though to be honest whenever my kids pitch I feel like I age ten years during the game. I am really 5039 right now. We had three games happening at the same time and I was watching Miles’ game. Though I use the term “game” loosely.
My oldest son is pitching his game tonight. I will be there growing older. I might bring my flask.
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Wow, he looks so much like Miles. hard to believe. Will my son ever be big like that? Surely not!
March 30th, 2009 at 4:41 pmYour posts always make me smile through tears in my eyes. As a mom I always know exactly where you are coming from. Great pictures as always and those dimples! Happy Birthday!
March 30th, 2009 at 4:51 pmYes, t-ball is pure comedy. Usually better with alcohol in the flask. That’s my trick!
March 30th, 2009 at 4:53 pmToo funny! My step-father was also Italian and I also felt Italian by association. And I could give you a run for your money as WASP-iest girl in the world. Except for the Protestant part.
Love your blog. The photos are beautiful (they make me want to take better pictures!) and I have laughed out loud often!
March 30th, 2009 at 5:29 pmHoly Mackerel! What a big cake!… Maybe Texan Italians make their rum cakes with a different recipe…
Congrats to your 10yr old baseball hero. Hope it goes well for your oldest tonight. …What does your daughter do during all these game? Does she have to go along? Does she like to watch baseball?
March 30th, 2009 at 6:25 pmHe is so stink’in cute!
March 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pmI don’t think I’ve had Italian Rum Cake before but now I want some.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pmEvery time I see one of these posts, I’m like damn she has a lot of birthdays. Then I remember you have 7 kids.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:54 pmHe is soo cute… and I am not just saying that to get some cake. My lovely teen is harrassing me to leave the computer and participate in non-virtual life…
Safe some of the flask fluids to go w/ the cake.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pmOh yes, I have experienced the rapid aging that pitching causes in an otherwise healthy parent. It is excruciating, even in good times. In bad times, it is beyond painful. Congrats on your son’s great outing, and good luck tonight!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:00 pmwelcome to Texas!!
I know what you mean. I always wish I had a flask when I watch my sons pitch.
Happy double digits to your son.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:45 pmHoly cow, that thing is huge. Ten people indeed! I hope you’ll be writing about Miles’ game. That had to have been a blast. And congratulations to your 10-year-old. What a great way to celebrate a birthday.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:07 pmHey there - I would love to see you come up with a recipe for Rum Cake. I’ve tried a couple of things you’ve shared recipes on and I’ve enjoyed them. And I happen to enjoy rum too.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:35 pmFina/Sayville/Long Island
The cake is gorgeous, but the kid!! Goodness he is adorable!
Happy 10th kiddo!!
March 30th, 2009 at 8:59 pmI love the pictures on your site–they are beautiful.
My kids aren’t quite old enough for the organized sports yet. Okay, so my oldest probably is, but we haven’t done it yet. I’m not so sure how I’ll do when we go. I hate competitions with little kids. I always feel so bad for the losers when they’re trying so hard not to show how disappointed they are.
Erin
March 30th, 2009 at 10:29 pmplayingwithchildren.blogspot.com
I still say if the blog “gig” doesn’t pan out there is always photography for you. You take some mighty awesome pix! Your kids are all so damn gorgeous! Hope you are liking Texas.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:18 pmWe have a t-baller this year. 5 years old and so into being on a team with his friends. I think he is more in to the -ball team than fall soccer. Not sure when games start but I will definitely post about it. T-ball is, well, an experience for parents.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:44 amHe’s so handsome..and what a twinkle~
March 31st, 2009 at 7:56 amI aged several years on Sunday. Try watching your son play goalie during an indoor soccer game - or three games as was the case Sunday. Now baseball is starting and the same boy will be doing a bit of pitching (luckily he’s more of a 2nd baseman). I expect I’m about 5039 also - give or take a couple of years.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:13 amI know exactly how you feel about watching your sons pitch — my daughter pitched for her fastpitch softball team for three seasons and it was such a nerve-wracking experience for me to watch! I know a good number of my gray hairs are from those games!
March 31st, 2009 at 9:17 amMy brother pitched in high school. He was good and got a scholarship to college, but sitting through his baseball games with my mom and dad was horrible. They were torn between being really nice and then screaming things out to him like “get your head out of your ass.” I adored my brother and used to have to talk him off the ledge when he got home because my mother would be brutally honest in her review of his pitching. (She’s Italian - on top of liking rum cake, they don’t know how to NOT be honest!)
March 31st, 2009 at 9:34 amWow - you sure have cute kids! I could get lost in their dimples!
March 31st, 2009 at 9:47 amWelcome to Texas.
Your ass will grow to be as big as that cake if your not careful. We like food and a lot of it. Have you tried the Tex-Mex yet? Yummy goodness. To bad I can’t have any of that right now either. I’m trying to lose the ass I’ve been growing for 38 years.
That is awesome that your son did so well pitching. Can we barrow him for my son’s varsity high school?
March 31st, 2009 at 10:01 amHow could you resist just a little taste?
March 31st, 2009 at 10:16 amI am a lurker from Mississippi. I keep up with your blog and love it. I wanted to comment and let you know that I think that your children are beautiful. The Italian genes work like a charm.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:58 amCongrats on the pitching success and do update us on how oldest made out. I also get nervous when my kids pitch. Guess it is normal.:)
March 31st, 2009 at 11:14 amNow I’m going to search for a rum cake recipe. It sounds so good!
March 31st, 2009 at 11:20 amMy 11 year old son had a baseball game on Saturday and was out in left field (in more ways than one) and I noticed his preoccupation with putting his hand in his back pocket. Sunflower seeds! When they got back to the dugout, I walked over and through clenched teeth said, “do you remember the story I read you last year from my mommyblogger whose son got his hand STUCK IN HIS POCKET at a crucial play because he was eating sunflower seeds?!?! He did. Didn’t stop him from eating, but at least he seemed to pay more attention. I thought it was ironic that it happened at the same time you revisted the story! And congrats to the pitcher!
March 31st, 2009 at 11:54 amWhat is the name of the bakery in Austin? I NEED that information!
March 31st, 2009 at 1:34 pmNow THAT is the ten-year-old I “know.” I think you used your oldest as a stand-in the other day in your pics.
Also, re: the post you linked to from last summer. I think if you ever resort to the baseball bat schtick (and for those who can’t tell, I am KIDDING), I think you should just tell everything that you are just having a personal conversation with yourself. Hey, maybe it can work for you too.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:47 pmI love your blog and your pictures. What type of camera do you use?
Chris says: NIKON D40X
March 31st, 2009 at 4:00 pmUgh - I too age every time my son takes the mound. He loves it and thrives on the pressure. Me, not so much. I refused to let him pitch for a couple of years even, knowing how much rides on the pitcher’s shoulders, literally and figuratively.
March 31st, 2009 at 5:08 pmLooks yummy!:)
March 31st, 2009 at 7:12 pmhe is so cute. I hope you keep each birthday picture.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:49 pmDid I leave a comment today? I don’t think so. I’ve been leaving a stalkerish number of comments lately so forgive me. I just want to say I really enjoy your blog, the sharing you do of your beautiful family and the wonderful photos you take. Thank you.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:31 amWow, what a cutie! Those dimples are killers.
I know what you mean about the pitching. I have two teenage daughters that play softball, and they both pitch sometimes. I hate it when they pitch. It’s so nerve-wracking. I’m stealing your flask idea.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:04 amRum cake?
We always had kahlua cake.
What’s with the booze?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:19 pmOK, I lurk, I know…rarely comment but always read. And I HAVE to say, this one is my favorite. (I’m allowed, since I’m not the mom) They are all beautiful children and you write their personalities so well so they are all obviously adorable and interesting and quirky and unique, but something about his face…like he has a funny secret…makes me ALMOST want another one to try my luck with getting a boy…but not quite.
Who needs more kids when I get all the good stuff, pics and funny anecdotes, through you?! (I jest…sort of)
But truly, maybe it is the blondeness? he is the only blonde right? Or the dimples. But I think it’s the twinkle.
What a cutie pie.
Oh and welcome to Texas. You will love it here…until August. Our home school sessions actually run from mid or late July to Easter to ensure the maximum amount of A/C indoors time during the worst of the heat. Just a tip!
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pmone more thing: gluten free baked goods in Austin:
http://www.mrnatural-austin.com/
you can get them dairy, egg, and gluten free. And they are DELICIOUS!
(I too have dietary restrictions…)
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 pmI, too, lurk around your blog. Ditto that your kids are the cutest (seriously they are gorgeous), and that you take abfab photos.
I age while watching my girls at gym comps. I liken the experience to a train smash: so horrible you have to look.
Love the table. A good dining suite is soooo worth it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:46 pmI’m assuming you’re numb to flattery by now, but I just want to say that while I truly enjoy your blogging style, with its randomness, candor, hilarity, and humble confessions, it drives me insane that you will only reveal one of your children’s names, lol. I’m a name-a-holic, I assure you I have no special nor dangerous interest in your children, but it really kills me. Have you ever said why this is? Just curious…
April 12th, 2009 at 4:20 pm