September 6th is a special day for our family. It began as our anniversary day. Six years ago we were married. Then, last year we got to share the day with Peyton when he decided to make it his birth day, as well.
Happy 6th Anniversary, Steve!
Happy 1st Birthday, Peyton!
Sent via email because of the distance, Peyton's cousins(clockwise from left to right: Walker, Jasper, Savannah & Gracelyn in front)
were the first to wish him a happy birthday on Sunday morning!
Balloons! Each one a delightful gift!
Had we known, it would have saved us a last minute errand or two.
were the first to wish him a happy birthday on Sunday morning!
Balloons! Each one a delightful gift!Had we known, it would have saved us a last minute errand or two.
To celebrate our anniversary we enjoyed a date night, including dinner out on the town. Wait, who am I kidding? Date night didn't "include" dinner. Date night was dinner. It was quiet, relaxing and enjoyable just the same. Besides, we had to get home and take advantage of a rare opportunity. My parents volunteered to watch the "almost birthday boy" during our dinner and all night long. Boy, are we lucky or what?
It was so nice to have a chance to wake up slowly and lounge around on Sunday morning without the urgency and energy of the "now birthday boy." But, we sure missed out on being the first to wish him a happy birthday and the morning is never the same without cuddles and loves from our Kinetic kiddo. Maybe my parents were the lucky ones?
Peyton finalizing a few last minute party details.
Not wanting to overwhelm Peyton with sugar and gifts we kept our celebration small and casual. (Or was I really just sheltering myself from the overwhelming party planning task? More likely). Let's keep it easy, I told Steve. We'll just spend the morning tidying up the house and bake a nice healthy cake for Peyton and then we'll just have a few guests over for a proper party - presents and cake. Several trips to the store, hours cleaning and more time baking the incredibly healthy, only natural sugar added, carrot cake with cream cheese (and gelatin clumps) frosting, we wearily greeted our guests: Aunt Hazel & Uncle Gavin (co-birthday boy), Great Aunt Mollie & Great Uncle Brian and Grandma & Grandpa, of course:
For the record: a lot of work went into this cake. It started with the time I spent pouring over recipes looking for a tasty, but healthy, first cake recipe. Then, Steve took "patience" and "family loyalty" to the next level on Sunday when he stepped in to make the said cake a big hit. He returned home after the initial lengthy and frustrating trip to the grocery store with all ingredients and list items EXCEPT apple juice concentrate. Which, if you've ever made a sugar free anything is a critical ingredient. Through the pouring rain he drove, back to the store for apple juice concentrate. Unfortunately, he discovered immediately upon his return that 1 can of concentrate was enough for about 1/2 the cake. Irritated beyond belief he raced back out (to a different store I might add, so as to avoid any further recognition or harassment by the first store staff, I assume) only to discover that he had forgotten his wallet. He scrambled up enough loose change in the car - he hoped - to buy enough apple juice concentrate once and for all. His heart sank when the final total was more than he had clinking around in his pocket. But wait! "Do you have an advantage card sir?" the cashier asked. Steve was saved by his shopping loyalty and so was our cake. Third time really is the charm.
Reaching out towards the tempting, yet peculiar food in front of him.
With apple juice concentrate in hand, we set about baking the cake. It's not altogether hard, but carrot cake is tedious and when you have already faced defeat for the day, it's hard to get back into the game. Steve stuck it out even when I bailed to attend to other, equally pressing tasks (in my opinion anyway). The cake came out of the oven and the house smelled quite yummy. The frosting was made, the gelatin just didn't set quite right. Since the recipe called for raisins rather than sugar to sweeten the cream cheese, the lumps of gelatin went unnoticed next to the lumps of raisins.
Enjoying the tasty morsel we call carrot cake.
Family is the most forgiving audience and willingly sampled our sugar free carrot cake right along with Peyton. Most agree that it wasn't bad, but it just wasn't good either. Everyone was in agreement that while they were willing to sample Peyton's cake, they would prefer to wait for the "real" chocolate cake and homemade ice cream, we also had to celebrate Gavin's birthday, after dinner. Hours of labor went right down the drain, literally. Sorry, Steve. Uncle Gavin pointed out one very important detail to Steve, which brought us back to reality and put our priorities back into perspective: We pleased our target audience. Peyton seemed quite pleased and gobbled his portion right up and even put his hands together, indicating that he wanted more. Well done, Steve. Our cake was a big hit!
Inspecting the cake damage - well done, Peyton!
As can be expected, Peyton loved the attention almost as much as the packages and ribbon. Using distraction tactics he eventually discovered that there were new toys among the wrapping. He loved them all and particularly enjoyed parading through and around his birthday guests, pushing his new, John Deere tractor. Well done, family. His presents were a big hit! (Each morning since, it's as if we discover them, again, for the first time).
Ribbon, it tickles!
Ok, everyone. Here's the game plan:
One of many reasons why it was an enjoyable and memorable first birthday!
It was so nice to have a chance to wake up slowly and lounge around on Sunday morning without the urgency and energy of the "now birthday boy." But, we sure missed out on being the first to wish him a happy birthday and the morning is never the same without cuddles and loves from our Kinetic kiddo. Maybe my parents were the lucky ones?
Peyton finalizing a few last minute party details.
For the record: a lot of work went into this cake. It started with the time I spent pouring over recipes looking for a tasty, but healthy, first cake recipe. Then, Steve took "patience" and "family loyalty" to the next level on Sunday when he stepped in to make the said cake a big hit. He returned home after the initial lengthy and frustrating trip to the grocery store with all ingredients and list items EXCEPT apple juice concentrate. Which, if you've ever made a sugar free anything is a critical ingredient. Through the pouring rain he drove, back to the store for apple juice concentrate. Unfortunately, he discovered immediately upon his return that 1 can of concentrate was enough for about 1/2 the cake. Irritated beyond belief he raced back out (to a different store I might add, so as to avoid any further recognition or harassment by the first store staff, I assume) only to discover that he had forgotten his wallet. He scrambled up enough loose change in the car - he hoped - to buy enough apple juice concentrate once and for all. His heart sank when the final total was more than he had clinking around in his pocket. But wait! "Do you have an advantage card sir?" the cashier asked. Steve was saved by his shopping loyalty and so was our cake. Third time really is the charm.
Reaching out towards the tempting, yet peculiar food in front of him.With apple juice concentrate in hand, we set about baking the cake. It's not altogether hard, but carrot cake is tedious and when you have already faced defeat for the day, it's hard to get back into the game. Steve stuck it out even when I bailed to attend to other, equally pressing tasks (in my opinion anyway). The cake came out of the oven and the house smelled quite yummy. The frosting was made, the gelatin just didn't set quite right. Since the recipe called for raisins rather than sugar to sweeten the cream cheese, the lumps of gelatin went unnoticed next to the lumps of raisins.
Enjoying the tasty morsel we call carrot cake.Family is the most forgiving audience and willingly sampled our sugar free carrot cake right along with Peyton. Most agree that it wasn't bad, but it just wasn't good either. Everyone was in agreement that while they were willing to sample Peyton's cake, they would prefer to wait for the "real" chocolate cake and homemade ice cream, we also had to celebrate Gavin's birthday, after dinner. Hours of labor went right down the drain, literally. Sorry, Steve. Uncle Gavin pointed out one very important detail to Steve, which brought us back to reality and put our priorities back into perspective: We pleased our target audience. Peyton seemed quite pleased and gobbled his portion right up and even put his hands together, indicating that he wanted more. Well done, Steve. Our cake was a big hit!
Inspecting the cake damage - well done, Peyton!As can be expected, Peyton loved the attention almost as much as the packages and ribbon. Using distraction tactics he eventually discovered that there were new toys among the wrapping. He loved them all and particularly enjoyed parading through and around his birthday guests, pushing his new, John Deere tractor. Well done, family. His presents were a big hit! (Each morning since, it's as if we discover them, again, for the first time).
Ribbon, it tickles! Ok, everyone. Here's the game plan:
Just start unwrapping or else we'll be here all night.
Even small and and casual parties can be overwhelming for a one year old. After just a few hours of pure amusement and awe and bliss, Peyton was more than ready to call it a night. Uncle Gavin quietly cuddled up with our one year old to help him wind down for the night with a bottle and then without protest, Peyton went right to sleep.
One of many reasons why it was an enjoyable and memorable first birthday!
Happy Birthday Peyton! It sounds like you guys had a great celebration!
ReplyDelete