Today my lovely older daughter’s birthday.  She is now twelve years old.  No longer can I pretend she is a little girl, not when she is so close to the teen years…  Having my girl growing older means she has more complicated interesting choices  for birthday cake wishes (beyond the ladybug, Clifford and snowman cupcake days of yore).  Cake themes that make her heart sing and dance for cupcake joy.  Maybe it’s an indication I can hold onto her sweet sense of humor and joy and can pretend the teen years are still far, far away.  I do know what ever the next few years bring, they will be just as sweet as she has made these past 12 years.  Will I make Princess Bride cupcakes?  As you wish…

"Princess Bride" cupcakes by test.angelaskitchen.com

Look for close ups of the cupcake cuteness after the menu plan.

Head over to Laura’s for Menu Plan Monday.  The Gluten free menu Swap is being hosted this week by The Lilac Kitchen.

Monday: Birthday Girl Day!/set building after school/Boy Scout meeting

Birthday girl choice:  Gluten free fettucini, meatballs and chunky garden tomato sauce, mixed green salad (with lots and lots of “stuff”) and gluten free garlic French bread  followed by Princess Bride cupcakes.

Tuesday:  Mom volunteer in school library/set building after school/piano lessons

Halibut in Green Tea Broth, quinoa and salad

Wednesday:  Dance lesson for little girl/set building after school/youth group

Walnut Crusted Chicken Breasts, salad

Thursday:  Newspaper club after school/Daisy Girl Scout Meeting

Ginger Beef and Bok Choy Stir-Fry, rice

Friday:  Mom help with 1st grade math games

Greek-Style Quinoa Burgers with White Bean and Spinach Ragout