Mickey's Rocket--Owen's 4th Birthday Cake

So every year I make Owen's birthday cake from scratch...whatever he wants.  I started off with pretty high standards of cakes past, and probably shot myself in the foot in the process.  This year, Owen wanted Mickey's Rocket.  Seemed easy enough.  EEESH.  I think this one got the best of me! 

So here is what Mickey's Rocket looks like for those of you who don't have a Micky obsessed kiddo:

I had lofty aspirations to have it standing tall, surrounded by sand and moon rocks.  Apparently I have watched Ace of Cakes too many times and thought I was Duff.  Let me assure you, I am No Duff! 

I started off making a prototype out of cake. It leaned a bit, so I thought I would add dowel rods.  That didn't work so on to Plan B....

Plan B was to make it out of Rice Krispie treats. That didn't work either. At first they didn't stick together, then they were too hard. OK---Plan C.

Plan C...carved football cake!

I bought a football shaped pan and molded from there. The cake was of course orange. I cut off the end of the "football" to create the rocket ship shape.

 I iced on the stripes, and made red "sand" out of food coloring and sugar.

Mickey's rocket landed on Mars, surrounded by the red sand and Moon rocks (cake balls) made by EE. Shredded Twizzlers made the flames of the rocket, and Owen's Mickey friends finished it off.

Overall, it turned out OK...for the third try! The kids loved it, so that's the most important part! Now...what to do for next year....

Happy Birthday Owen! My Sweet 4 year old boy!!

4th Birthday...ALREADY???

Wow how time flies!  My little guy is already FOUR YEARS OLD?  How did that happen?  Where did the time go?  I wish I could remember every moment of every day with him as a little guy (ok, maybe not EVERY moment).  He is still such a sweet and funny boy.  He cracks me up every single day.  He is so smart.  He knows his address, phone number, all of our first and last names, can count to 30, identify all of his letters and numbers, and is learning to spell and write.  He loves to sing-Jake and the Neverland Pirates CD is is current favorite, although he does a mean Johnny Cash!  His favorite shows are Octonauts, along with old favs Jake and Doc McStuffins.  He loves to play outside, swims like a fish, plays cars and rockets, and he still loves to RUN and the color orange. 

The end of May 2012 marked the end of an era for Owen as he graduated from the daycare he attended since he was 11 months old.  He is spending this summer with Daddy, going to swim lessons and camps, and having fun.  In a few weeks he will start preschool at a Montessori school nearby, along with his BFF Riley.  We are excited for him to move forward in his education and socialization, though it was sad to leave the person who took such great care of him...and sad to see him growing up so fast. 

11 months ago Owen became a big brother, and what an amazing brother is is!  I always knew he would be!  He loves his baby sister and takes such good care of her.  He covers her with her blanket to make sure she's not cold.  He gives her toys and things to play with.  He loves feeding her and sharing his yogurt and applesauce.  He watches over her to be sure she doesn't fall or get hurt, and is very protective when others are around her.  I sure hope this continues as they get older!

I can't wait to see what this next year brings.  I am so happy being your mom Owen! 
I love you kid.  All the way to the skies and back down!