A party for one

It was a good, good day… as evidenced by the amount of chocolate involved.

A chance to celebrate the life of our precious son… our treasure, our joy, our sweet, sweet boy.

We started off the day with fireworks–well, sort of–and opening pretty packages with Gigi and Gramps over skype and Nanny and Bop in person. How wonderful it was to have all of Levi’s grandparents present for… the presents.

And then of course was the party. There were lots of banners… big, floating balloons… party pies and sausage rolls (classic Aussie kids party food)… adorable and animated munchkins under three feet tall… many wonderful friends… brightly wrapped gifts… party hats… and of course cupcakes… many cupcakes. (We are still eating cupcakes.)

There was a make-shift photo booth… for laughs and memories and future blackmail material.

There were squeals of delight… and well-wishes… three generations… and free play… live music performances by the little ones… and “helpers” for Levi when he opened his gifts.

And of course there was chocolate… the first timid tastes of sugar which built to kneading and mashing and stuffing of the face… moments of hilarity… and lots, and lots, and lots of mess.

Oh sweet, sweet chocolate… all over our sweet, sweet boy…

There were impromptu fake beards… and very dirty clothes… and kids sent straight to the tub.

And after our little birthday boy was tucked up into bed… there was more celebration: toasting, laughing, and reminiscing. There were sincere prayers of thanksgiving and a few little tears of joy and gratitude.

It was a good, good day.

It was a great day.

And, although we most likely will not put such time and energy into parties to come, to mark this first year with a bang felt right and appropriate. Levi’s life (and our parenthood) seemed worthy of our best effort. We thank the good Lord for the miracle of life and for the ability and means to celebrate well.

Dear friends, near and far, thank you for making our occasion so special.

enjoying the afterglow,

P.S. Just so you know, I did the party for quite cheap… lots of construction paper, ribbon, my laptop, a printer, some felt, a few sticks, brads, magnets, and wooden clothespins, a visit to the dress-up box that lives under my bed… and of course my trusty little glue gun. The most “expensive” thing was getting a few helium balloons. I’m convinced that making something feel extravagant does not have to cost a fortune… but rather some planning and some creativity!! Oh, and I made Levi’s cake from a box, set it on a plastic plate that I found in my cupboard, and stuck a couple of handmade pinwheels on there with a candle – simple and cheap and cute! Betty Crocker, I am not my friends. 🙂