A day of firsts

Yesterday, was Paigey's first birthday. I absolutely loved looking back at her birth story exactly one year ago. We did most of our birthday celebrating on Saturday morning at her cookies and milk birthday party. We had over 20 friends, all crammed in our house because the weather outside was frightful {rain -not snow}. My coworker and friend, Beth, took first birthday photos that you see below {she sent me a few so I'd have a photo to go in an adorable frame I bought for the birthday} on Thursday and came to the house on Saturday morning to capture the party and cake smashing. I can't wait to see {and show everyone} all of the photos. She is still processing all of them and promises to have them to me before Paige's second birthday {hopefully sooner, though}. I will be sure to do a post on the first birthday milk + cookies party when I get them.



Since it has been raining the past few days and since we've been entrenched in full-blown birthday mode {baking some 30 dozen cookies in the past few days}, we haven't gotten outside much. We decided to hit the park, then "ice" skating downtown at Kleman Plaza with the kids and Ben's sister, Katie {who came in town especially for her Goddaughter's birthday}. I put quotes around 'ice' because it was actually some artificial ice surface made out of wax {or something like that}. Ben said it was harder to skate on than ice {I haven't done it in so long, I honestly can't remember if it is harder to skate on ice or wax}. My only complaint was that we all decided to skate and take turns with Paige. What we didn't realize is that we should have all gotten on the ice when we first arrived {and when no one was there}, because to switch off we had to stand in an un-Godly long line. They would only allow a certain number of people on the rink, then each person had to wait for someone to come off before another could go on. It was pretty ridiculous how long we waited. Next year, they should make 15 minute skate intervals where everyone has to rotate and take a break and let others skate. As it was, they gave everyone one hour, which is much too long for the poor people standing in line. Nevertheless, it was fun {and pretty hilarious} once we got out on the fake ice. And Jack sure loved his first time fake ice skating and it did the trick to tire him out.







What a fun weekend of firsts. Now that the birthday party is over, I'm back in the kitchen whipping up some homemade Christmas gifts for Ben's office staff {I know you are all reading this and you will find out what it is VERY soon}. And, I will share the recipes and inspiration {read, blantant rip-off} after the gifts have been revealed.

Sidenote: I posted this link to create your own Santa greeting on my Facebook page. Here is the one I made for Jack and boy did it really impress him! If you've got little ones, you've got to do this for them. It is sure to amaze.