Being a mom and celebrating my eldest girl's 21st birthday!!

"Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning , Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile , I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness , And I have to sit down for a while , The feeling that I'm losing her forever , And without really entering her world , I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter , That funny little girl 

Slipping through my fingers all the time , I try to capture every minute , The feeling in it , Slipping through my fingers all the time , Do I really see what's in her mind , Each time I think I'm close to knowing , She keeps on growing , Slipping through my fingers all the time 

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table , Barely awake I let precious time go by,  Then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholy feeling , And a sense of guilt I can't deny , What happened to the wonderful adventures , The places I had planned for us to go , Well, some of that we did, but most we didn't , And why, I just don't know 

Slipping through my fingers all the time , I try to capture every minute , The feeling in it , Slipping through my fingers all the time , Do I really see what's in her mind , Each time I think I'm close to knowing , She keeps on growing , Slipping through my fingers all the time 

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture , And save it from the funny tricks of time 

Slipping through my fingers all the time 

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning, Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile..."

And that is one of my favorite songs by the Swedish band ABBA, from the 80's because it is just what I can so totally relate to, especially since my first born, my eldest girl has grown from an adorable little innocent baby who won me over with her first cry and smile to an independent, determined and fine young 21 year old woman with her own values on the road to success (fingers crossed).

We celebrated Mother's Day yesterday as well as her  21st birthday ...

Over the years, we had our may had our differences, we had plenty of arguments, tears shed, fights, but also plenty of happy moments, hugs, making up, and learning... learning from each other, learning to accept and understand each other for who each of us are, our roles and what we stand for....

Admittedly, motherhood is not all about fun and games or just ordering the kids to do what you want them to do... it is definitely a journey of discovery for both you and your child.

Mothers will always want to protect their offsprings, and because of that... mothers will often offer advice that they think will make their daughters' lives easier. Daughters, on the other hand, crave their mothers approval, and will interpret this advice as criticism, as proof that they're imperfect... and sadly because of this, the stage for painful misunderstandings and arguments is set. 

It is just a regular scenario where the well-meaning mother gives advice.... the approval-seeking daughter starts taking offense and yells at her mother to leave her alone.... and the mother then throws up her hands and says she feels like she can't say anything that won't upset her daughter.

Yes, this is a normal occurrence in our relationship....but we, both mother and daughter, slowly learn through it as well... 

For her 21st birthday I chose a travel theme cake. Why you might ask me.... but well, you see, travel is in our blood.

I love to travel... and I have been blessed to have somewhat reasonably well traveled, though there are a million places I still want to visit and this is a passion my daughter got from me. 

Besides this, she has since graduated gotten her diploma in her chosen field, which is none other then Tourism Studies.. My daughter is also all set to conquer the world through traveling and hopefully working in the travel industry... but well, after her degree which she will commence the last quarter of this year or sometime next year...

It is considered that one is officially an adult on one's twenty-first birthday. And well, the normal celebration cake that would be made to mark the occasion would often have a key as a decoration, symbolising the key to adulthood. However, Catherine Cakery, decided to make her an aeroplane instead... how lovely don't you think...

For me, it symbolises my approval for her to start jet setting and conquering the world the way she knows and the way we love...and indeed she has so much plans lined up... trips to Korea, to Maldives, to Europe etc... 

My daughter is quite disciplined. She does some online business and also sells/ promotes tours for her trips as well as saves her money diligently for her trips..

As her mother, I cannot even keep up...and yes, I do get envious too, but like I told her, never let anyone stand in her way, not even me...not as long as she is doing the right thing and the thing that makes her happy....

The cake here is so gorgeously and painstakingly made. It is a royal chocolate cake, with fondant, a globe made from Styrofoam and an airplane made from fondant resting on top of the globe....It is definitely one of some of the prettiest cakes I have seen...

And even my little girl describing it to her sister said it was a cake worthy for "Cake Boss"..

The cake was the centrepiece at our Mother's Day and 21st birthday celebration my dear cousin threw for us and some other relatives... at the lovely Byblos Cafe.. pictured here, my husband, my lovely daughter Talia, me, my younger daughter Anne and my cousin Lilian...

The birthday girl with her cousins, Justin and Sandra and of course, her dear aunty Lilian...who has been an integral part of her life in supporting her in many ways...

The birthday girl with her cake... already cut a bit..... 

So there you are, if you are looking for  a freshly made and 3D fondant themed cake, do check out 

Catherine Cakery    

Or you can call the lovely Catherine (pictured here when I went to collect my cake order) at 012 392 1217 to discuss or order what you want....

You will definitely not be disappointed...

And yes, to my eldest daughter, Happy 21st Birthday thanks for being my girl and I love you loads... you are always my pride and joy and I wish you all the success, joys and love live brings..

To my cousin, Lilian and her children, thanks for standing by us...and for your unwavering support...

To all mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day....!!! It is a hard but a rewarding journey

To Catherine, thanks for making my daughter this awesome cake we won't be forgetting anytime soon....

Hugs and kisses.....