birthday rundown

The Mass Birthday Train Stop picked up 24 adults and 8 kids on a beautiful 70 degree sunny day (thank goodness people could enjoy the patio too!). Lara and Aiden went for a pre-party walk around the neighborhood (which did not lead to the birthday boy nap as expected, but he did squeeze a nap in just in time). He woke up just a bit after the first guests arrived and came downstairs with a look of concern wondering why we let all these people in our house.

Two sets of J's aunts and uncles, his Nana, and his cousin and her family were the first guests to arrive. They had lotsa hugs for the birthday boy when he wasn't running back and forth across the house. He was also excited to see both his teachers and even his teacher that left a while back. I'm hoping they had a nice time and it was just a small way to thank them for being so sweet to Aiden.

Based on my mom's party planning, I upped the menu quite a bit. We had almost the same menu as we did in Ohio and probably just the right amount of food. J originally wanted to get everything catered after he heard how crazy I went inviting people. I'm so glad that we were able to make our own train inspired foods ahead of time and save the trouble (I was happy as long as I had time to make deviled eggs-yum, and a throwback to this time last year when that is all I wanted to eat). Aiden enjoyed a little bit of choo choo wheel pasta salad, but his favorite part was the cake. When everyone sang to him and we brought out the big Thomas cake he literally squealed. I think it was one of my favorite moments (although it's hard to say because I had so many happy moments - I don't care what people say, going crazy for a first birthday is so much fun for moms like me! I openly admit that it was a party for me anyway - but geesh, don't I deserve to party!? All moms deserve a big celebration at the end of the first year especially!).

I thought we might get away with just giving him a cake without frosting to avoid the mess, but J had other ideas that it would be fun to let him smear again. So he went at his little mini pudding cake with less of a look of concern than his cupcake in Ohio. And somehow the mess mat below him shifted just enough to spread the crumbs around the kitchen... oh our boy smelled like cake the rest of the day, but I managed to get the frosting out of his nose and ears.

While he finished up his cake and lounged in his chair, we pulled him off to the side of the kitchen to watch other kids play his party games. We had "pin the one" on the Thomas the Train. It was more of a hit than I expected! (The other big kids had already created their key chain coloring and foamy train sticker card making.) I think it was just enough, but I wished I had more to play because they loved it so much. Aiden was so funny lounging in his high chair chompin down cake while he watched them play. Too funny. I can't wait until he's old enough to play too...

Aiden only had two guests younger than him (both around 8/9months), but the other kids were so sweet to him. There was a hilarious moment when we asked his cousin Daniel to give him a kiss and he ended up pinned down on the floor giving me a look like "what's up mom, can you back me up here, this kid is much bigger than me?!" Daniel was such a sweetie pie and even helped eat all the candies off Aiden's choo choo cake. The other kids were excited that it was such a beautiful day and they could get in a good run around outside to burn off all that sugar.

When it was time for presents Aiden was fascinated by the cards! His auntie said that we could of all just purchased cards for him and he would be happy. He would have one card in each hand and when I'd open another, he'd look at each one and debate with himself on which one to put down. The cards with sparkles on them usually won. He was super excited banging on the boxes too. There was a moment that he started clapping and everyone started clapping with him. He was so thrilled. Luckily, my friend grabbed my camera for capturing a few of those moments. Here he is with his new cool kid hat for the winter from Emily - Thanks!:

We truly hope that those of you that weren't able to join us know how much we appreciate you sending your good cheer (more thanks coming for the fun presents too!) Thanks to everyone for making it such a great year! We love you.
More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/gp/94324507@N00/A6w912