First Birthday, Feb. 2, 2006
This week's web page is the longest one on our site so far! I had
733 pictures to look through, which is a new record. I was up all night.
I'm definitely ready for the new monthly schedule!
Michelle's parents came to visit for Lily's birthday party. She needed
time to get used to having them around again. She would let Grandpa
lift her up high in the air, but afterward would run back to Mommy!
She did this over and over. The expression on her face looks
awfully happy for a girl who's pretending to be afraid!
We bought her a car to ride in for her birthday, since she likes riding her
train and roller coaster so much. It has a long handle so we don't
have to hurt our backs leaning over to push it.
Lola and Grandpa bought her a cool motorized go-cart! That thing sure looks
fun. She can
press the button by herself to make it go.
Her great-aunt Pee-wee bought her a battery-powered motorcycle.
Again, cool toy!
Now that she has all these new ride-on toys, which toy does she keep
wanting to go on? Her old fire truck, that we have to lean over to push!
D'ohh!!
We decided Lily needed her own parking lot for all her vehicles.
Lola made lots of good food for the party, including beef shish-ka-bobs,
fried rice, lumpya (Filipino egg rolls), chicken legs, and other stuff.
We put beer and soft drinks out on the patio to chill them for free
(using the mildly cold February air here).
We filled this table with activities for the kids to do -- face painting,
finger painting, party hats to decorate, etc. But we never got around to
any of that! The kids mostly played on the riding toys instead.
A very subtle sign on our door made it easy for people to find the party.
The birthday girl looks ready to celebrate!
It wouldn't be a party without Lily's honorary sisters Madeline and Cailey!
Their brothers Cameron and Colin are Lily's semi-siblings too -- unless she wants to
date them later.
Other guests from Michelle's work were Suzanne, Mona and her grandson Paul,
and Belinda (holding Madeline).
Friends we met at Kids R Kids came too. Madonna, Patrick, and Cathy are
in the first picture (all seated -- Ann from Michelle's work is standing).
Courtney, Jay, and daughter Caroline are in the second and third pictures.
I invited people from my work: Melanie, Roger, and son Sebastian (first
two pictures), and Jing with his wife Hua.
In preparation for the party, we shortened the train track to
an oval instead of a figure-eight so it would take up less room.
Then we moved our exercise equipment out of the
"roller coaster room" to make space for inflatable toys (a bouncing one
and a ball pit). We put a larger ball pit in the middle of the roller
coaster track. The front two rooms are now one large play area.
The kids loved riding the roller coaster. It was in motion for most
of the party.
Cailey rode the coaster, and looks a little scared the first time
(first picture), but doesn't look scared anymore in the second picture.
The other riding toys got plenty of use too. Caroline and Cailey are
pictured here on the go-cart, fire engine, and bike.
We had a small picnic table for the kids to eat at. We'll probably
get rid of it, though, because the kids had trouble getting off of it
without tripping.
Madeline looks like she's having a good time, but Cameron's pretty peeved
about something!
What would a girl's birthday party be without a boy to flirt with?
We tried making a human pyramid, but it didn't quite work.
Michelle told me after the party that I was carrying Lily around
everywhere too much. I didn't think I was, but now that I'm looking
through all the pictures, well...
The birthday cake had a Lilo & Stitch theme. We'd been referring
to our daughter as "Lilo" for years before she was born (and even
before the Disney movie came out).
I lit her single candle, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday". Mom
blew it out for her (we didn't get a picture of that), and then
it was cake-eating time. It was good cake! (If you like chocolate,
which I very much do.)
Lily got some great presents! There was an Elmo/Cookie Monster
head that giggles in both voices, and a little girl figurine,
both from Alison and Maureen; a family membership to the zoo,
so we can take Lily lots of times, from Christine and Michelle;
and cute elephant bookends from Ann.
She got a singing stuffed duck from Belinda and Melisa; her own shopping
cart from Cathy and Patrick; and a Care Bear from Suzanne.
The funniest gift was a bag of Cheetos from Madonna! She's obviously
been reading this website. She also bought a monkey with magnetic
limbs. Lily's pile of loot continues with a blue and white outfit from Melanie's family;
magnetic letters that sing the alphabet and the letter sounds, from
Courtney and Jay; and a pink dress from Jing and Hua.
Mona's family gave Lily a pink outfit and a huge blue ball,
and Pam sent a picture frame with Lily's name on it. Thanks
for all the great presents, everyone!
When the party was over, Lily was exhausted. She slept on her
Pooh couch for about three hours.
On Sunday we went to Portrait Innovations to get Lily's 1-year-old
pictures taken. Here are some of the cute ones.
Michelle tried putting barrettes in Lily's hair. I think they look cute!
Here are a couple of happy photos to end her first year with!
