1st Birthday Party

Thing 1 and Thing 2 are officially a year old! Their actually birthday was on a Friday and unfortunately for them, they had a doctor appointment that day, so it wasn't exactly an exciting day. Even though we were having their party the next day, I still wanted to do something for them, but couldn't come up with anything that seemed to fit.

On our way home from the hospital last year, we stopped at Jamba Juice for smoothies. So the first place we ever took our kids was Jamba Juice, and once I remembered this it seemed fitting to go back with them on their birthday. We ordered them a smoothie to share and they seemed to enjoy the little adventure. Joey blogged about this in greater detail, so if you're interested you can read about it and see pictures and videos here.

On Saturday we had some friends and family over to celebrate their big day. Here are some of our favorite shots from the day.

Joey took Carson and Keira out for the morning, which was a HUGE help! As a result, they were finishing lunch just as guests started arriving.

I went with a "Thing 1, Thing 2" theme and figured I would decorate their free cakes myself (Thank you Lunds & Byerly's for giving out free cakes to kids on their first birthday!). Well, my sister and I looked at a few options for decorating, picked the one you see and each drew it on paper. After finishing our drawings, I looked over at hers, which was clearly superior and said, "Well, it looks like you'll be doing the decorating!" I removed the lettering that Byerly's had put on their cakes and Jess did the rest. She did them with a toothpick! She's amazing!

I wasn't taking any chances with their clothes, so we stripped them down to their diapers.

Neither Carson or Keira were very hesitant to try out their cake, though Carson did seem a little thrown off by the large object on his tray.

Once they started digging in, they both ate quite happily.

"Ah Mom, this cake is getting to be a bit much..."

Carson made it very clear when he was finished eating the pile of sugar in front of him by trying to knock the cake completely off of his tray. Thankfully it didn't work, though it was a close call, and I quickly whisked it away.

"Yummy!"

"What? I'm just eating this huge cake. No big deal people."

Keira, unlike her brother, showed no desire to stop eating the cake, especially after getting a drink. Not wanting her to get sick, we took it away after a bit and fed the two of them their leftovers this past week.

Present time!

The best part of any present: the wrapping!

Just shy of a week before their birthday, I was showing Joey the MN Twins onesies and toys I had planned to give them for their birthday. I told him the onesies could be from him and the toys could be from me. He instantly responded with, "What makes you think I wasn't planning on getting them something myself?" I didn't see that one coming! We laughed and he explained that he had wanted to get them some Cardinals gear. The afternoon of their party, the box arrived. Here is Carson in his outfit. It should fit better this summer!

The little miss in her Cardinals dress from daddy. What a cutie!

As you can see, they had a pretty good day, and so did we! Thanks to everyone who came and unnecessarily spoiled our kids. More importantly, thanks to all of you who've loved our family so well this past year. We are blessed!