Party time!

Let me first say "thank you" to you, Ava. You let me and your Dad have a very nice walk around the mall and a nice dinner out tonight. You were so well behaved - we have actually had people tell us what a good baby you are. You have your moments, but you really are the best, I don't know what more I could ask for. Well, other than for you to change your own poopy diapers.

Now, on to your first birthday party -

THE GUESTS: mommy & daddy of course, Grandma & Grandpa, Grampy, Nanny, Aunt Nicole, Uncle Gary & Aunt Megan, Uncle Eric & Aunt Gina, Uncle Mike & Aunt Sue, Uncle Dan & Jennifer, cousins Zach, Skylar, Dylan, Brittnee, Sierra, and friends Tara and Nathan. Gram wanted to come but she had to work.

THE GIFTS: a potty chair (omigod), some princess jammies, fruit snacks, butterfly earrings (so cute!), pretty outfits from Aunt Gina, money for shopping from Tara & Nathan, a musical ladybug, some cute stuffed animals, and gift cards for more shopping! I hope I'm not forgetting anything.

The day started out rainy and cloudy, but it was all gone by party time and it ended up being a beautiful day. For your cake I put your high chair out on the patio and I was going to strip you down to your diaper, but it was kind of chilly out, so I put you in some old clothes. You liked it a lot, even though I scraped about a pound of frosting off the top. I let you get a couple of handfuls and then I had to take it away. I didn't want you to get a stomach ache from all the sugar! My only mistake was that we forgot to light the candle and sing Happy Birthday! I bought you one of those big number candles, and a pretty cake, but we just sliced it up after you tore into your little cake, and no one thought to sing. After everyone left, I found the candle and felt so bad, so I put it in a piece of cake and I sang to you and we blew out the candle. It wouldn't be a birthday without singing!

We had such a good time, and we're so glad that everyone came to celebrate with us.

Tennis, anyone?

Hanging out with cousin Skylar

What's Grandma gonna do with those racquets?

The "Before"

Such a good sharer

The "After"

Presents!