Hot as Duck

We decided not to do a party for Norah's first birthday. She got to have an amazing celebration with the G side of the family in Austin, and we figured we'd save the big party for when she could remember and/or appreciate it.

That being said, we have spent a better part of this last year at Day One and it has been our home away from home. We have made incredible lifelong friends there and look forward to any chance we get to celebrate with them. We came up with the brilliant idea of having one joint birthday party for all the babies (they turn one within a month or so of each other). We originally thought about doing it at a park, but logistics and the need for permits made it more difficult than it was worth--so we did it at our house instead. Our dear friends Kristiana, Michael and Chiara were in town this weekend (they moved to London when Chiara was 6 months old--brave!), and so it was the perfect time to do it.

Eighteen babies and their parents. And a few grandparents. And the first day all summer that was HOT AS DUCK. Seriously hot. Like 95 degrees hot. All in our 1,100 square foot house. It had all the makings of a total disaster, but with the exception of the crazy heat, it was a perfect day.

Our backyard canopy kind of fell apart the last time we had it up (we used it a lot), and we did some surgery with coat hangers, duct tape, and a four by four. But, it couldn't stand up to the wind we get around here and we had to RIP it. BVZ splurged and got a pop up canopy that goes up in minutes and is much bigger and sturdier and it kicks ass.

We trapped Norah in the sunroom, but she had a good time watching the construction. Please note her Birthday Girl shirt, pink shoes, and pink HAIR BOW (thanks to Jim and Carolyn for the shoes and bow).

She is still having a hard time adjusting to soled shoes and spends a lot of time trying to get them off.

Isn't she the cutest damn thing you have ever seen?



The canopy tent in all its glory.

Our friend Jennifer provided all the plates and decorations for the party and this was her special surprise:

Check out what I gave Norah for her birthday (BVZ isn't giving her anything until tomorrow--her real birthday). It is a water and sand table. Obviously, water goes in one side and sand in the other. I went to the store to get sandbox sand for it the other day and in big letters on every bag is: WARNING, MAY CAUSE CANCER. Really? Now, SAND causes cancer? But, alas, according to the internet who knows everything, sandbox sand has all kinds of bad stuff in it--quartz, graphite, and what not, and can be very bad to breathe it in. Considering the fact that I knew Norah would be licking most of the sand, I figured that couldn't be a good thing. The wise internet also directed me to a place that sells 'safe sand' and for a ridiculous amount of money I could get a bag of non-cancer causing sand. Sold! But, it is sand and heavy and takes a loooooong time to ship. So, we were without sand for today. Instead, we made it a water and water table.

Norah and her dad.

And her mom.

The babies went NUTS for the water table. They splashed the crap out of each other and had a fabulous time. We kept having to refill the water because they kept knocking it out.

Unfortunately, I have very few pictures of our fun afternoon. I was running around quite a bit and I kept setting down my camera only to completely forget where it was. And then I had a glass of champagne in the sun and became pretty much useless.

But look how beautiful our friend Ava is....

I made each baby their very own cupcake. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed with Norah's performance. She licked the frosting very daintily and then patiently waited for me to break off pieces of the cake for her. I plan to put her in her high chair tomorrow and really let her go off on her own cake with no other distractions around her. I bet she goes nuts.



The gorgeous Exie.

Sweet Chiara...

Norah trying to eat the toys in the table.


Norah gives Aileen a high five for a job well done.

Those are the only pictures I got! Terrible. Hopefully, other parents did a better job and will email to me what they've got (hint, hint).

We can't adequately express how much our Day One family means to us. You all are a big reason we survived this year with smiles on our faces, and look forward to celebrating with your beautiful kids for years to come.