Summer Fun Cake

Bake cupcakes according to box directions reserving some of the batter for the beach ball which is made by using 1/2 of a sphere shaped cake pan.

Mix icing ingredients in the following order: shortening, meringue powder, salt, extracts, MIX ON LOW. Gradually add about 1 cup of sugar. Add water. MIX ON LOW. Continue adding sugar 1 cup at a time and mixing on low until you get a smooth, semi-stiff mixture. If icing is too thick, add more water. If icing becomes too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Put vanilla wafers into a large plastic, zipper bag. Give children rubber mallets and let them go to town smashing the cookies until the cookies are the consistency of sand.

Spread white icing over entire cupcake cake. Mound icing up into a pile in one corner.

Sprinkle cookie crumbs over the entire cake making sure to completely cover all icing--try not to leave any white spots.

Place 1/2 sphere cake in opposite corner from the "sand mound." Ice the "ball" to resemble a beach ball.

Top off your cake with a bucket with sand crumbs trailing out. Stick a shovel in your sand mound. And finish with fun summer wishes.