The Sad Cake Story

More than a week after the incident, I'm finally ready to share this story with all of you. Maybe if I will share this here can finally move on from the sad experience. Just like how I said in that terrifying mommy moment, I will try my best not to make this sound like a rant.

July 20, 2015

I told the cake supplier about my plan of getting her service for my daughter's 7th birthday on September. I have helped several mompreneurs in launching their home-based businesses through this blog so I thought of doing the same thing with her. I offered her a blog post and a banner ad on my sidebar in exchange of 50% off on a 2-layer cake (the first layer is made of styro covered with fondant) and 60 pieces of cupcakes. I thought it was a good deal.

The main reason why I got her even if there are better cake suppliers out there was that she is the mom of my girl's bestfriend. 

August 13, 2015

It was a month before my daughter's party when she messaged and asked me for the down payment. She said that she'll already make the topper so it'll firm up. I'm not a fondant cake baker but is it really that long to firm up? Like, a month? 

September 3, 2015

When I finally got to pay half of the total amount, she told me that she can't make the topper anymore and asked me if I have a toy for replacement. At this point, I was trying my best to understand her. She said she has two big orders the same week and that, in verbatim, "THIS IS BUSINESS." I wondered why she has to say that when I was not really late in paying her since she didn't give me a definite deadline. Fine. I let it pass. I allowed her to replace it with a toy. She agreed and said, "sure".

September 18, 2015

I reminded her that we will be in the location at 3pm and I told her to come early so we can set up the table. She even asked me if I have a cake stand and a cupcake tower. I told her I'd bring my own stuff then asked her to send me a photo of the cake and cupcakes via Facebook Messenger. She laughed and said, "wala pa... bukas na...excited much naman. Hahaha!" Muthers and friends, this was the time that I felt the need to crack the bones in my neck. I only sent her a thumb icon. 

September 19, 2015 - MY DAUGHTER'S PARTY

30 minutes before the party, (insert your own adjectives and name-calling whatevers here) messaged me that they'll be running late. I didn't have time to reply so yeah, I seen-zoned her. She arrived at Mc Donald's Sports Center in Marikina like almost an hour late. She and her husband were taking out the boxes from the car compartment and I was shaking when I saw that the boxes were obviously not enough for a 2-layer cake and 60 pieces of cupcakes. I wanted to pass out. But of course, I can't. I have to be at my most sane self for my little fairy princess. 

The supplier said that the cake accidentally fell. I'm not sure what my feelings were called that moment - I just can't fathom that excuse! Also, she only gave me 30 pieces of cupcakes in odd shapes and plain taste. What I thought that time? She spent the money I gave her for her daughter's party. Sigh. 

I solved the problem as quick as I can. I asked someone to buy the Ube Macapuno cake from Red Ribbon so it'd match the theme of the party. After I placed the cake on the stand, I wiped a tear. My daughter was one year old when I dreamed of a semi-extravagant 7th birthday party for her. Then my husband and I thought that maybe a trip to Hongkong Disneyland was better. When she was 6, though, we asked her what she wanted for her 7th birthday and she said she wanted a party. I was a stay-at-home mom then with a small home-based business, depending solely on my husband's salary that we can only afford a McDonald's party for our only child. 

Sorry, does it sound like I'm belittling our own party? Not really. It's just that I could have given more, we could have given her the best party she ever dreamed of only if I have a stable job or only if my business was earning well. And what's worse was the cake that could have been the other star of the party was replaced by a store-bought, smashed-looking cake. 

That evening, the cake supplier messaged me if she can deliver the infamous cake that she repaired. I said it's no use and I just want her to give back the money that I paid her. She did a few days after. She also posted this on her Facebook page. 

What I was just grateful for was that my fairy princess loved her party despite the sad cake story. She asked where her cake was, though. When I explained what happened, she said it's okay and at least she had cupcakes. I like how forgiving my child can be. 

To make it up to her and for my peace of mind, I promised to give her the most amazeballs cake for her 8th birthday this year. If I can't bake it, I will buy it - no matter what. 

***

P.S. 

These were my pegs: CAKE and CUPCAKES.