The Big FIRST Birthday Bash!

(I had a hard time scaling down my picture choices to get ready for a lot of them!)

After our brief but full time in NH with my parents, on July 4th, we packed up and headed back to Boston. Unlike the rest of the country, we didn't do much to celebrate independence day. We had bigger fish to fry. We were doing party prep for Dylan's first birthday!

My Dad and Mike stayed very busy trying to finish putting together the swing set for the party. They got on everything but the slide, which they then finished the day after the party.

Sliding Dylan

My Mom stayed VERY busy ALL day long working on little masterpieces - cupcakes for Dylan's party. She has been the official cake maker for grandkid birthdays in our family and we were lucky enough to have her creative skills lent for Dylan's big event. Kids normally have themes for birthdays. Since Dylan's not old enough to really choose a theme, we went with what he really enjoys - our household pets. Each pet had a representative cupcake; Oliver (orange cat), Luci (gray cat), Smokey (gray chinchilla) and George (the tortoise). No one suspected, even her, how time consuming this undertaking would be. She was a trooper and (mostly) really enjoyed devoting an entire day to do this for her grandson. Kudos to her....they were a BIG hit!

Birthday Cupcakes

I spent the day shopping for food (with Mike), doing some clean up, assisting where possible, and keeping Dylan entertained. After our full day of prep, we were ready for a cookout party.

On the 5th, the day before Dylan's birthday, around noon, local family and neighborhood friends filled our house and yard. The day was VERY hot. All our window AC units were running at full blast to try and keep the house cool for heat relief. But, for the most part, folks found ways to stay cool outside. They used the swings....

Dylan Enjoying His New Swing Set

Friend Ryan Enjoying the Swings

We also tried to stay in the shade and have cold drinks.

Shaded Mimaw and Dylan Digging Into the Watermelon

Silly Bands in the Shade (Corwin, Emily, Dylan and Jacob)

Mike had bought a small wading pool the week prior and this was the perfect time to use it.

Jacob Helping Maureen Set Up The Pool.

Kids Enjoying the Pool (Corwin, Emily, Dylan, Jacob, Luke)

After we finished eating and were absolutely done being the heat, we headed indoors for the traditional birthday fare - singing, cake and presents. It wasn't until the day before the party that it dawned on me that I should maybe sing the "Happy Birthday" song to Dylan to prepare him for it being sung to him by a group of people. During a diaper change, a time he doesn't particularly enjoy and always take creative entertainment on our part to get through with minimal unhappiness, I sang him the song. He immediately smiled and was calm during the change! Now, he is a boy that likes songs but I was impressed at the magical powers the song possessed - no familiarity with it and instant love. When the time came at his party for everyone to sing to him, he didn't get freaked out and even seemed to like it. I'm still using the song at diaper changes...I suppose I'll have to stop at some point so it still retains it's "special occasion" appeal.

Happy Birthday To Dylan!

Now, of course, it was time to watch the birthday boy eat his cake. The joy of the first birthday is seeing the messiness of the cake eating. Dylan did not disappoint. At first, he didn't really know what I'd stuck in front of him. After a couple of pokes of the icing and me breaking off a little and giving it to him, he was good to go. He picked it up bit by bit and ate it all. We gave him a second (hey, it's only your birthday once a year). This time he knew what to do and was all over it!

What's This Squishy Stuff?


That Was Good! I Got This! I'm Ready for More!




Not Messing Around This Time


Mojo Helping With Cleanup

Dylan was pretty sleepy when we started with the singing and cake. Thank goodness for sugar! It gave him enough energy to open most of his presents before he crashed for his nap.

Croc Walking Toy From Nana and Bumpa

Special Book From Mimaw and Pipaw

Most of the way through the presents, we just couldn't keep him up any longer. Down for his nap he went. The party broke up and folks went home. After he woke from his nap, Dylan finished opening his gifts with just Mike and myself as well as his Mimaw and Pipaw

Pop Up Toy From Mom and Dad
Wagon of Sand Toys From Friends Luke and Ryan

Our friends and family were so generous and thoughtful and brought Dylan some really sweet gifts. That kids has the coolest pj's to wear, some awesome new books to read, and lots of new toys to entertain him. He seemed to have a great time at the party and we were so thankful for all that were able to come and share such a special day with us. Thank you all!

And for those that weren't able to come, I hope you were able to take part in the festivities through this posting.