The first birthday in our family to be celebrated in BA!

the mandatory family birthday pose...required every year on your birthday in front of your cake

So, there was much anticipation for the first family birthday to be celebrated in our new “host” county. Would there be a cake? Would there be gifts? How would a “gringo” celebrate her diez cumpleanos in Argentina?

Good news….it was a huge success!  The cake was a big family discussion….but after weeks of taking hints, taking tastes of  bakery treats, determining homemade as an unachievable goal at this point in our adventure…..we found something we thought would meet Adeline’s high cake standards.  This winner was a chocolate brownie, layered with dulche de leche and topped with meringue.  I have to say, and the whole family will agree, this was the BEST birthday cake ever.  Mac, being ever the diplomat, claimed he liked my homemade layer-cakes more.  I think he was being kind and wanting to spare my feelings from the rave reviews this “store-bought” cake was receiving.  I appreciate his sensitivity to my feelings but in actuality, this cake rocked!!

The cake decorating was another issue all together.  Fortunately, there is a store that specializes in this…like all the other stores in our neighborhood…specialization is key! This store has a wide assortment of items you can choose to place on your cake…talk about specialization! Dan and I  had loads of fun picking out what we thought would be the perfect decoration for Adeline’s 10th Birthday Cake.  Turns out…we did a great job and she was blown away by the cake…both in taste and appearance.

As for the presents, Adeline received a new watch, a messenger bag (for her libros de español), a twix bar and a set of colored pencils.  Simple pleasures…that is our M.O. here.  She was thrilled with her gifts so we considered the day a success!

So, looking in the rearview mirror…..I admit I was a little worried that the first birthday might be rough…high expectations, no native experience in b-day celebrations, and then there is the whole LANGUAGE issue (no need to dwell on this) but it was great!!  Adeline was treated like a princess at clase de español-they bought her a birthday cake, took her to the candy store and presented her with  a beautiful bracelet.  Is just doesn’t get any better than that!  She left school walking on air!

Below is another photo of the birthday celebration at home..notice the pyrotechnics on the cake….Big HIT!!!

Still wondering if we can export these "candles" to the U.S.