My sweet Evie turned 4 this weekend. Like most little girls, Evie couldn’t wait to celebrate her birthday.  It was the talk of our household for a solid six weeks, and I can happily say that it was a great day for her. We gave her a Barbie Dream House much like the one my sisters and I played with 25 years ago, and she practically burst with delight as Chris assembled it piece by teeny-tiny piece.

Evie has grown and matured so much in the last four years, and I have to remind myself that I have grown and changed, too.  Four years ago I wasn’t a mother…and now I am almost completely consumed by my role as a mother to my three babies. I am in awe of how quickly these four years have flown, and its hard for me to believe that I’m now four years older, too.

For her birthday, Evie wanted cupcakes with chocolate frosting.  Much like I did three years ago for her first birthday, I made a batch of homemade frosting.  Its incredibly easy, unbelievably delicious and infinitely better than the store-bought frosting in a tub.

Cocoa Buttercream Frosting

1 stick softened butter

4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 cup milk

Whisk powdered sugar and cocoa together in a medium bowl.  Set aside.

Whip butter until smooth and fluffy.  Add 1 cup of sugar-cocoa mixture, followed by vanilla and a few tablespoons of milk.  Repeat until all ingredients are used and the frosting is whipped and smooth.