alexander is 2

i cannot believe it, but somehow we have managed to keep this adorable little human alive for two whole years! "baby" alexander turned two today! 

we got him some cute little gifts - as well as a try bike, which is a bike that grows with you... starting as a three wheeler run along trike, which can be upgraded to a two wheeler as time goes on.

he was all about the hey duggee show bag though and pulled each piece out lovingly to show them off. he was also a huge fan of the ball tower and put the balls through over and over and over.

he especially loved the little backpack that came in it!

doting big sister madeline was on hand to assist with the gift unwrapping, she is never far from his side.

my favourite gift was a little pamela allen book called "alexander's outing" about a little duckling. i bought it when was just small, ready for when he would be old enough to enjoy it.

alex spent the day being loved on by everyone, playing with bubbles and being cuddled...

the absolute perfect birthday!

but my favourite part of the day was watching his little eyes light up when i brought out a cake i had made for him. a real birthday cake. the kind our mums used to make for us as kids. baked from scratch, with yummy icing and lots of sprinkles.

he looooved it and proudly blew out his candles with maddie and joseph on hand to help.

saving yet another recipe here for future reference - i am baker white cake recipe. 

it was so fluffy and delicious.

        **************************************************

INGREDIENTS

113g butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. almond extract, optional

1 1/2 cups plain flour

2 tsp. baking powder

4 egg whites, room temperature 

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 160deg celcius (fan forced). Prepare 8x8 square pan.

Beat butter at medium speed until creamy, roughly 3-4 minutes.

Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

Stir together milk and vanilla. (If you are adding almond extract, add it here)

Sift together flour and baking powder; add to butter mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.

Beat egg whites at medium speed until stiff peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake at 350° for 35-38 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centre comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Optional: Cover with white frosting.

(I used my favourite cream cheese icing from here)

frosting:

2 tbsp softened butter

55g softened cream cheese

1 cup icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

beat until well combined then spread on cake. delish!