Dear Daughter,

I realize these are not perfect cupcakes.

The pink is more Pepto than Ballet. The swirls are not too swirly. I never got around to making the pink sparkly flags, so these store bought ones will have to do.

I know you will enjoy them anyway.

I certainly enjoyed making them for you. Baking them until midnight because that is when the house is the quietest. Learning a new recipe that uses only cake flour. Learning what the difference is between All Purpose Flour and Cake Flour. Learning how to make a swirl with a spatula. And learning to accept that imperfect is perfectly acceptable.

xoxo, Mom

PS: For my sister : the imperfect swirls.