Ice Cream Trough for Lotsa Kids! (and Happy Birthday to my Boys!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful little men! My two sons are turning 15 and 13 this week.
There are so many gifts I want to give my boys, such as courage and confidence, and for them to understand their uniqueness. If I could, I’d wrap these up with a huge ribbon on top. I hope that they would know that with teenage challenges come lessons that they will learn for life. And that from those lessons comes wisdom.

As my sons open their gifts, I am reminded of the gifts that were handed to me 15 and 13 years ago when they were born. They are beautiful gifts, and I will not take them for granted.

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We decided that since life is busy with school and soccer, we wouldn’t have birthday parties this year, though we celebrated as a family.

But last year we had a blast! I kept the theme going throughout the year for my 3 kids’ birthdays and made “Ice-Cream Troughs” for each of their parties. It’s a brilliant idea, easy, and a big hit with a large group of kids. It’s also a great dessert that you can make up in advance and put in the freezer!

Here’s what you do:
Buy a garden trough or something large that you can layer the cake, ice cream, bananas, etc. in. I used a plastic planter box (usually used in window boxes), 24 inches long.
Bake a cake or brownies in advance and buy:
½ gallon ice cream
Spray whipped cream
Syrups
Bananas
Cherries
Any other topping (candy bars, etc.)

This is how you put it together:
· Put ice cubes on the bottom
· Place plastic wrap on top of the ice cubes
· Cut your cake into cubes, or layer it on top of the plastic wrap
· Scoop or slice the ice cream on top of the cake
· Place plastic wrap over the whole trough and FREEZE until you are ready to use.

Right before serving, pull out of the freezer and fill the rest of the container with whipped cream, sliced bananas on the side, cherries on top, or any other toppings.

You can serve it two ways: place it on a big table with a bunch of spoons and let the kids go to town, OR scoop out into individual dishes. We’ve done it both ways.

Put the candles on top and start SINGING to your kids! Hold them close, shut your eyes and make your wish (or prayer!) because before you know it, next year will be here and you’ll be celebrating once again!

(Thank you, Auntie Ellen, for this wonderful idea a few years back!)