<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/icing-smiles-rosh-chix-028.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-760" alt="icing smiles" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/icing-smiles-rosh-chix-028.jpg" width="365" height="500" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;">Meet Luke, an amazing 6 year old boy who loves Star Wars and Legos and also has cystic fibrosis.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">As many of you know already, I learned about<a href="http://www.icingsmiles.org/"> Icing Smiles </a>when Olivia spent a little time at Children's Memorial (now Lurie Children's).  We were lucky parents.  We spent 2 grueling and seemingly endless weeks camped out at the hospital hoping and praying that all of the things they said might be wrong with her really weren't true.  Olivia is a carrier of several genetic mutations that may or may not ever affect her metabolic system, but the big scare turned out to be just that.  So, when I imagined the lives of families and parents who weren't so lucky, I longed for a way to make their lives a little bit easier or a little bit happier.  For months, I have been trying to find a way to volunteer in a big way for Icing Smiles, but with all that is going on in our lives, I had to step down from the larger administrative roles that I had been asked to be responsible for.  Yet, I remain on the Sugar Angel list.  Sugar angels are bakers across the country who volunteer their time and donate cakes to kids who are medically fragile or their brave siblings.  This was my first call to action, and as much as I would love to eradicate all childhood diseases and wipe out the reason for Icing Smiles, I know I cannot do that.  So, I hope I this cake will not be my last.</p>
<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/icing-smiles-rosh-chix-002.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-759" alt="star wars, lego cake" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/icing-smiles-rosh-chix-002.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;">Luke's mom asked me to make a Star Wars/ Lego cake for his 6th birthday.  This was a milestone birthday for them, as the average life expectancy for kids with CF used to be 5 (now it is 37).  I racked my head as to how I was going to give him the best birthday cake possible.  I am not much for fondant work, so I knew I was going to have to purchase the Star Wars characters.  Turned out to be a great idea; Luke couldn't wait to pull them off the cake!  This was my first attempt at a fondant covered cake, and I think it turned out great.  The bright colors and smooth surface really made the Legos stand out.  When I walked into Luke's home, he popped out from behind a wall and cried out, "Is that my cake?!!!??"  He was literally bursting with excitement.  He wanted to touch it and smell it and tell me all about his party and his light saber pretzels that his grandma made.   His mom told me later that he showed everyone at the party his cake.  I wish that every moment of Luke's life could be like those 10 minutes.  I'm not even going to attempt to tell you what his "short but event filled life"  has been like.  If you want to read more about Luke's story and how you can help them win the fight against CF, <a href="http://lukeslegion.org/about/">click here</a>.  And Luke, may the force truly be with you throughout all of your life, and may you celebrate many, many more happy birthdays.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Quick shout out to another awesome baker.  Julius Jonsen of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/siftedcakesboston">Sifted Cakes </a>did his first cake for Icing Smiles in July of this year.  Check out his cakes on Facebook.  Yay, Jules!  You rock!</p>