A very happy new year

What a learning experience it was to put on our first birthday party for our very adorable 1 year old! I hadn't put very much thought into it before stopping by the party store for paper hats...after all, Kieran is turning 1, not 16! After the party store, where we were informed that some people spend upwards of $200 on balloons (just balloons!!!!) for a first birthday, I thought that maybe I should have put just a bit more thought into our little party. As it turned out, we spent just enough thought and bought just enough balloons (6) for our little guy on his big day. He loved it all, even though he was a bit more shy than I would have ever expected when his guests arrived. Luckily, he warmed up to the idea of hosting a party and turned into a most hospitable and gracious guest of honor.

Here he is the day before the party getting to know his party balloons. We learned something about Kieran that we didn't know before. Kieran LOVES balloons.

As does Rufus. He is an expert balloon thief. Bye bye balloon.

On the morning of Kieran's birthday everyone got to work right away making food, birthday cake, cleaning house...Kieran was very impressed with the level of activity, way before the sun came up. He was too curious and couldn't stand to be on ground level so up onto mommy's back he went...with his balloons, of course!

Grandma made his beautiful cake from scratch. Carrot, with all of Kieran's favorite modes of transportation on the side and his very favorite bike on top. Perfect. Thanks Grandma!! Here she is putting on the finishing touches.


Where's the party?? He seemed to know that more was up than his birthday. Here K is ready to ring in the new year! At about 10am.

Just waking up from his birthday morning nap, Kieran grabbed a couple of balloons from the stair railing on his way down. Watch out daddy!


The rest of the day was a busy blur, but a very fun one. Kieran's older girlfriend Lola arrived and immediately took over his favorite bike. Lola knows what she wants. Look out Kieran!


But she's so sweet! Look out Kieran! ;)

The younger ladies, Julia and Thea, weren't quite into the bike yet but they both loved Kieran's jumper swing. Thea spent half the party jumping and laughing in it - time for Carrie and Duff to break out the jumper!


After lots of playing and munching it was time to blow out a candle. This was a big moment for Kieran. He couldn't believe we were offering him fire AND frosting - at the same time!


Kieran knows to blow when food is hot. He isn't so keen to blow out flames. Daddy helps before things got out of control.


Mmmmmm. Kieran wasn't that impressed with the cream cheese frosting, but the carrot cake was a hit!


Then there was a lineup of presents that K was happy to tackle. His first was a penguin bowling set from his good friends Elias and Julia. What a fun gift! Julia seems a little reluctant to give it up. Come on over anytime to play with it sweetie!

Kieran eventually got used to being the center of attention - mostly.


Max, always happy to be the center of attention, sent some of Kieran's stuffed toys for a ride with the balloons. Here Teddy takes a ride to the ceiling.

Before the day was over Kieran and Lola shared a quiet moment in the corner. Lola obviously has the upper hand in this relationship.


Thea loved the balloons too. I think Carrie was taking mental notes for Thea's upcoming first birthday! Hard to believe it's only a few months away!! What a cutie pie!

After the crowds left Kieran was ready for a nap and a snuggle with his new bud Teddy - a very special birthday gift from Grandma. He makes a great chair and an even better snuggler! What a great party. Thanks everyone for coming! Especially those who didn't know it was happening until that morning :)


Kieran had another nap and we rounded up the leftovers for a little dinner before we discovered that the car wasn't plugged in and the temperature was hovering around -33F. That meant our plans for heading down to campus to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks weren't going to happen. No problem, Grandma and I were ready for bed anyway and Max was able to hitch a ride with neighbors Kieth and Susan. Before turning toward our pillows we three homebodies threw on snowsuits and went out to the deck to listen to the fireworks' booms and greet the new year (a few hours early). Then it was off to bed for us. A happy day and a happy start to 2009 and Kieran's 2nd - and best - year yet!


Happy New Year everyone! :)