Being a parent is such a bittersweet thing. Each day holds such wonder, and it is so exciting to see the progression of new abilities, discoveries, and challenges. But it also means that they are one day further away from being that little bitty baby that depended on you for everything. Such is the case with Ev’s first birthday. I cannot believe how the time flies. Our baby boy is one year old, and we chose to celebrate this first wonderful year with as much pizzazz as we could muster with our limited funds and time. Neither rain, nor lack of sleep, nor pessimistic comments could keep us from enjoying this momentous occasion in our baby boy’s life.
The day was rainy. We watched the weather for a week and spent the couple of days before trying to decide whether to move the party to an indoor location. We decided however that since it wasn’t thundering or lightning, the wind wasn’t crazy, and most of the people in our lives are campy outdoorsy people, that we would just stick to the plan. The train ride, unfortunately, was out of the question though.
Everett’s Grampy picked him up that morning around 8:30 and took him to their house while we (Monica, her family and I) went to the park to set up. We got there about 9:00 and began the fun task of unloading in the rain. A big thanks to Martin, Christine, Donato, Tammy and Chad for all the help loading, unloading, decorating and setting up, and to Sharon for taking me to get the sandwiches.
The party started at 11:00. (Thanks Mom and Dad for getting Ev there safe and on time.) Of course the weather put a damper on many of our planned activities such as Horseshoes, the Alphabet Train and Pin the Caboose on the Train, but it didn’t seem to lessen the good time. It was nice to see people catching up with old friends or meeting new ones as the little kids played and took turns getting rides in Everett’s car (a birthday present from his Grandma and Grandpa).
The day was rainy. We watched the weather for a week and spent the couple of days before trying to decide whether to move the party to an indoor location. We decided however that since it wasn’t thundering or lightning, the wind wasn’t crazy, and most of the people in our lives are campy outdoorsy people, that we would just stick to the plan. The train ride, unfortunately, was out of the question though.
Everett’s Grampy picked him up that morning around 8:30 and took him to their house while we (Monica, her family and I) went to the park to set up. We got there about 9:00 and began the fun task of unloading in the rain. A big thanks to Martin, Christine, Donato, Tammy and Chad for all the help loading, unloading, decorating and setting up, and to Sharon for taking me to get the sandwiches.
The party started at 11:00. (Thanks Mom and Dad for getting Ev there safe and on time.) Of course the weather put a damper on many of our planned activities such as Horseshoes, the Alphabet Train and Pin the Caboose on the Train, but it didn’t seem to lessen the good time. It was nice to see people catching up with old friends or meeting new ones as the little kids played and took turns getting rides in Everett’s car (a birthday present from his Grandma and Grandpa).
We snacked on chips and Subway sandwiches, and then lit a candle on the super adorable train birthday cake (that Monica and her mom spent most of Friday making) and sang Happy Birthday to Everett.
He was a little irritated at being made to sit still in Mommy’s lap until everyone started singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. What a sweet little expression on his face as he stopped to enjoy the sound of everyone singing together. It was a face I will never forget.
So many babies are scared, mad or just plain traumatized by first birthdays; I am thrilled that he was in a great mood that day and took to it all very well. (A big thanks to Jenifer for running to get plastic forks for the cake…oops we forgot them at home.)
The rain had let up by the time we finished with cake, so some people went to the swings, some stayed under the pavilion, and others played with various items from the alphabet train boxes (a train we made out of paper boxes…each letter of the alphabet had a ‘car’ and in it was an item or two that began with that letter). It was meant to be in the field throughout the entire party so that kids would have plenty of things to be entertained with, but with the rain we didn’t have room under the pavilion to bring it out until towards the end. A big thanks to Danielle, Robyn, Toni, Trisha, and anyone else that helped carry the boxes from the RV to the pavilion and then back again after the party.
Then we opened presents. We had originally intended not to open presents there at the park because we were worried that it would be too much for him, and we wanted to be able to take time for him to enjoy what he was opening. We decided however that in the end that he was doing well and it was best to open them there. He got so many really cool things that he has since been enjoying thoroughly: a musical lawnmower, a scoot and walk car, a wooden bead maze, some Tonka cars, wall plaques, a helicopter, a giggle ball, puzzles, a horned frog stuffed animal, a telephone, a cell phone and keys, some bath toys, bubbles, shape sorters, a few different toy trains, his first football and soccer ball, so many adorable clothes (which I’m sure you will be seeing soon in upcoming blog entries), a few DVDs, a very cool concert poster of himself, and various books that we can’t wait to read to him. He also finally got to open a present (some cute stacking cups and a book) that came all the way from our friends Sal, Tracie, Ethan and Benny in Australia (we’ve had it a while and meant for him to open it on his real birthday, but forgot to take it with us to Chuck E Cheese…oops, sorry guys). Later that weekend Everett’s Grammy and Grampy gave him a Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Kitchen and Living Room and some money for his college fund. He also got several gift cards and some cash that we (Mommy, Mama, and Ev) had a blast spending at Target and Babies R Us. With it we purchased a crawl through tunnel (he’s been trying to crawl under everything lately), a ball pit, Disney princess light spinning thingy (yes, he specifically chose it), a pound a ball toy with a fun squeaky mallet, and a portable high chair (for camping, picnics and dinner at friends’ houses…just in case anyone was to invite us sometime in the future.) Thanks to all of you for every single bit of it. Please come over some time to play with him and/or enjoy watching him play with it all.
Everett's Grammy and Grandma looking at the awesome concert poster made by godmother, Ori. Visit Ori's blog to read her birthday write up.
At the end of the party it seems several helped pitch in for clean up, and we really appreciate all the help from each of you. We had a blast and so did Everett. It was really nice to get to catch up with people we hadn’t seen in forever, hang out with those we see frequently and share this exciting day with all of you. We hope each of you understands how much it means to us to have you in our lives and in Everett’s. We are so blessed for the people around us and we only wish that we could see you more often. Thanks again for everything and for making this such a spectacular memory for our family.
Grammy with Matthew
Grammy with Matthew
Gabi & Everett
Courtney & Kaitlyn
Some of Ev's one year photos:
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