Linda took another two square cake pans out of the oven and started to pour cake mix into them. She already had two white cakes baking in the oven. These two would be chocolate. Putting alternating white and chocolate layers would give her a checkerboard pattern when the cake was finished. She planned vanilla frosting but with red food coloring and a miniature flag on top.
That sheet cake would be nothing but an empty pan before the picnic was over. The kids especially devoured anything chocolate. Lori Ann loved baking and everybody complimented her when she did. She always made too much and sent some home with guests.
So many friends and relatives were expected, they didn’t want to run out of food or cake, and they wouldn’t. She’d be more than ready for the crowd at three. She had snacks and punch for the adults. She had virgin punch for the little ones along with chips and pretzels. There were deviled eggs on one platter and little sausages on another.
There was a redwood picnic table and a little plastic toddler table for the kids. Their patio set was washed and ready with the big green umbrella to shad it from the hot sun. Lawn chairs and little plastic side tables were ready for many people. If they ran out of seating, she’d get out a card table and the matching chairs.
She was eager to see the baby girl her sister would carry in. Little newborn Tara would be snuggled in her graco snugride infant car seat. She had been a tiny five pound three ounce baby but now was up to eight pounds. She put out frisbees and other plastic lawn toys for the kids. There was bubble soap and a basket of various sized balls.
The basketball court was swept clean and she secured the ladder to the above-ground swimming pool for the third time. She knew she’d check it again before the day was over. She had a little splash pool too.
Meanwhile Todd was preparing the grill and taking out all the cooking tools. They’d have burgers and brats and of course the traditional hot dogs. It made sense to serve easy-to-eat food to such a large group. She had potato salad and macaroni salad in four large bowls in the refrigerator. The tray of pickles and olives was chilling in there too.
Lori ran upstairs and showered. She was wearing a sun dress with new sandals for the occasion. Now it was only an hour till the house would fill with people and she was growing excited. Just taking five minutes to straighten her bed quilt and running in to make her daughter’s loft bed, she was ready for the day. She went downstairs and waited for guests to arrive.
