Happy Birthday Trevor...Mayo Cake!

Today is my oldest grandchild's birthday! Trevor is nine years old today.  It really doesn't seem that long ago that he was born. Alex was in second grade and Tony was in kindergarten. The boys were so excited about being "Uncles". They couldn't wait to go to school and share the news with their friends.
I received a phone call mid morning the day after Trevor was born from the school. Both boys were having problems in class. None of their friends believed that they were uncles. Apparently, in the minds of 6 and 7 year olds, there is an age for when its acceptable to become an Uncle. This age seemed to range from the advanced age of 10 upwards. Unfortunately, my boys don't appreciate being called liars so they had offered to settle this problem in a less than acceptable fashion. I was fortunate that the principal, Mr. Yoder came from a large family comprised mostly of boys. I told him that I'd pick the boys up after school and talk to them. He suggested that maybe I could bring Trevor to school one day to share with the boys classmates.
I picked the boys up that afternoon. They shared such sad stories about how no one but their teachers believed that they were Uncles. Their chins quivered and their fists clenched and unclenched as they shared the stories of the great injustice of no one believing them. It broke my heart. They had been so excited about Trevor joining the family only to be crushed when they went to school.
I told them about Mr. Yoder's phone call. We decided to ask Danielle if it would be ok to take Trevor to the school for a short visit one morning. Being a new proud Mom and an outstanding older sister, she agreed!
I was overwhelmed by the look of pride on each boy's face the day I took Trevor to the school for a short "show and tell" in each classroom. They seemed to stand taller and their chests were broader, and the blue eyes were a shining!
Each boy held Trevor at the front of the class and introduced him. The classmates were duly impressed by Trevor and the fact that yes you can be an Uncle at the ages of 6 and 7!
Happy Birthday Trevor! Grammy misses and loves you!
Trevor and I share a love for many of the same things books, family, and chocolate cake! My grandma made the most delish mayonaise cake ever, here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour

1 2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/3 cup of water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

1 cup mayonnaise

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bottoms of two 9 inch round cake pans.

Mix together flour, cocoa, soda and powder and water in one bowl.

In a large bowl with mixer on high beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Reduce mixer speed and blend in mayonnaise. When mayo is completely blended into mixure gradually add flour and cocoa mixture to bowl. Mix on slow until mixture is all blended together to a creamy consistency. Scrape all the edges and bottom to ensure that the batter is evenly mixed.

Pour into pans. Bake aprox. 30 minutes. Cool about 5 minutes remove from pans. Wait until the cakes are completely cool before frosting!

Visit Hellman's website for the recipe using a cake mix:

http://www.hellmanns.com/recipes/detail/8241/1/