Birthday Party

A week ago we went to a birthday party for one of our favorite little friends: *F!

His mother Elizabeth and I were musing the day before his first birthday about where we were one year ago...a quick labor that culminated in an ambulance ride to the hospital for Elizabeth. *F sure was excited to be born that day. While Elizabeth and Baby *F recovered in the hospital, big sister *B was at our house having fun with Alton.
Fast forward to last weekend, and the big one-year-old guy has already taken his first steps. A happy crowd gathered in Elizabeth and Chris's backyard, where they recently had installed a fully-loaded play structure and set up *F's birthday present: a sandbox. Both items were extremely popular with the kids attending the party, including Mr Alton! Andy and I were hurriedly taking mental notes as he zig-zagged around their yard testing out all on offer.

We congratulated ourselves when we saw how in love he was with the sandbox--we had already purchased the exact same one in an early-season sale! It is in the garage waiting for grass to be installed in the backyard; I'm not sure that we could move that sandbox once it was full.
Much of the party was spent this way: kids surrounding the sandbox, with *F smack in the middle.

Alton had a great time digging.

*F's dump truck became Alton's new best friend for the day.


*P loved the swings...

and the slide!

*B shows you how to work the ship's wheel at the top of the fort.

Time for presents: *F is in love with a fabulous handmade wooden airplane.

Alton explores *B's "big sister" present: a play cookie-baking set!

Everywhere he goes, Alton manages to find a way to read; he thumbs through one of the birthday gifts.

Mmm, (cup)cake time!

Not much for sweets, Alton snags a cracker and polishes this off after halfheartedly nibbing at the cupcake.

*B wound up with a snappy chocolate goatee.

Alton loved the party favors: a plant-your-own flower and pot.

Let's take it home and give it lots and LOTS of water!

Happy 1st Birthday, *F!