Birthday

Since my son was in preschool, 

I have baked cupcakes for him to share with his classmates for his birthday. 

I think I may have baked my last batch, since he is in 5^th grade. 

It left me teary eyed as I watched him walk to the bus, swinging the cupcake holder.

 I know he’s growing up, but its bittersweet. I love the fact that he’s turning into this amazing young man, but I also want him to be little just a little bit longer. I see his chubby cheeks morphing into a slender face. I see his body elongating. He’s developing his own taste and ideas, and less inclined to blind faith. I decided for this year, we were going to have tie-dyed cupcakes with bright blue frosting. 

As I scattered sprinkles on top of them,

 I was wistful. It brought me back to the first time I did them, with white frosting and happy birthday spelled out in candies. My little boy was growing up and this is a chance to celebrate.

 

1 box white cake mix

8 oz fruit punch soda (I used our soda stream)

Food coloring

 

Preheat oven to 350. Line your cupcake pan with wrappers. Mix the cake mix with the fruit punch soda (it needs to be fizzy). Stir in food coloring just enough to be in there but not completely blended. Fill wrappers ¾ full.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool, then decorate.