f o u r

this one is a big deal. we've been talking lots about what it means to be a four year old. each year gains more and more independence. freeing and heartbreaking. the ultimate oxymoron.

i've been fearful to make a worm cake, like max did, for a year now. noelle loves the idea of it and every time we read that book, she asks if we can make one. but i fear her being scared of the worms or something. so anyway, i finally did it. and it was a huge hit. the recipe was fabulous, i'd make it over and over. who doesn't love a no bake cake?

Delicious Dirt Cake

1 package Oreo cookies or other brand of chocolate sandwich cookies


3 1/2 cups milk


2 packages instant vanilla pudding


1 container Cool Whip


1/2 stick butter, softened but not melted


1 package cream cheese, softened


1 cup powdered sugar

Grind cookies as finely as possible in a food processor or blender. Take a clean flower pot and line with foil. Put half the ground cookies in the bottom.

In a bowl, mix together milk and pudding until thick. Mix in Cool Whip and stir. In another bowl, mix together butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth. Then add to the milk and pudding mixture and stir together. Pour on top of the ground cookies. Then layer the top with the rest of the cookie crumbs. Cool in the fridge for 2 hours.

Stick a "fake flower" in the middle. Cover the "dirt" with colorful gummy worms. Serve it up with a plastic shovel. Serves 8.