I can’t remember how long ago it was, but I had many fewer children–and they were much younger.  My brother’s wife invited us over for a very special dinner–one my children would never forget.  She announced that we would be having a backwards dinner and cake was the main course!  Then she carried in a gorgeous white cake with red and yellow frosting.  And served up thick slices around.  There were yummy red drinks with straws on the table too.  We only ever serve water at home, so when they see colored drinks–that’s super fun.

Oh my kids were sooooo excited!!!!  Until they took the first bite.  All the adults around the table were thinking how creative and clever Aunt Erica was…but the kids were really poised for a sweet yummy piece of cake.  And their mouth reviled at the taste of meatloaf and mashed potatoes with ketchup and mustard.  It was delicious meatloaf, but to a little kid expecting cake, disgusting.

Try your drinks, we encouraged.  Thinking they would get with the spirit of the meal and start to enjoy it.  But, no!  When the drink wouldn’t come up the straw (strawberry jello is like that, you know) we actually saw some tears.  Come on kids–this is fun!

And for dessert Aunt Erica served tiny taco salads that tasted a lot like icecream rolled in chocolate sprinkles in waffle bowls with green and yellow coconut shreds.

For months my kids looked suspiciously at anything Aunt Erica made.  It cracked me up how seriously they took it.  And thankfully it cracked Aunt Erica up too.  So every year she makes something new for April fools day.  This year it was Fish Sticks with Ketchup and peas.  Which tasted a lot like wafer cookies with peanut butter and frosted flakes dipped in strawberry jelly, with a side of sour apple chewy candies.