Happy Day Cake (Recipe Included)

My daughter was having a rough day.  Nothing had gone her way.  I had promised her a carefree day of playing in the yard.  The weather has been so very terrible lately. Finally we are getting some sunshine and a day off from school.  However, unexpected family obligations have reared their ugly head, and we were off to run errands.  She still got to play outside, but not as much as she had hoped.  Still more obligations in the week ahead mean a very busy week for her. We were both disappointed.  As an adult, I can suck it up and go on, but not so with a child.  They take things to heart. (I really can't blame her.  It's been a rough weekend.)
Walking down the aisle at the grocery store (supermarkets only exist above the Mason-Dixon line), I had an epiphany. "Hey!"I said, "Wanna make a cake?"  Instantly she was happy!! We bought some candy decorations just to make it pretty.
So.. when we finally got home this afternoon, she played outside a while, then she was ready to bake!
We made a yummy chocolate cake which she decorated the way she wanted.  The end result was a very happy little girl.  Time spent on your children is never wasted.  Hopefully, she won't remember today as a day she was disappointed.  Hopefully she will remember it as a day she had fun baking a cake with mommy.

And, just in case your interested...here is the recipe for the ultimate chocolate cake:

1 box of your favorite Devil's Food Cake Mix
3 eggs
1 c. mayo (yes, mayo)
1 c. water
1/4 c. cocoa

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients and mix on lowest speed till blended, then 2 minutes on high speed.
The batter is very thick.
Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake 35 minutes, or until knife inserted into center comes out clean.
Cool before frosting (slightly warm is OK).

Frosting: (Warning- this is a country recipe- amounts are approximate. We cook by look and feel in the south. That's just the way it is.)
1 stick butter (not margarine, butter) softened.
2-3 T milk (add more as needed)
 START WITH- 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar (may need more)
1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
4-5 T cocoa
almond flavoring to taste (optional) start with 1/2 tsp and work your way up
and/ or
Irish Cream Liqueur to taste (optional)

Mix well, adding milk or sugar as needed. (mix, taste, mix again...) Apply to cool cake,  (Slightly warm is OK- nice and gooey!)

Tastes best when enjoyed with someone you love. <3