Birthday Party

Saturday was George's first birthday party.  I've been to a few kids' birthday parties, and they all seemed so effortless.  I have come to find out that birthday parties, actually, are not so 'effortless', but they are so much fun.  Our house and yard were filled with family members, neighbors, and friends all gathered together to celebrate George's first year.  After Clay and I collapsed finished cleaning up from the party, we were talking about how much it meant to us to have everyone there with us.  Mainly because the people who came to George's birthday party weren't just there for the party, but they have literally walked with us throughout this year.  They celebrated him before he was even born.  They held him on his very first day in this world.  They have been George's babysitters.  They are George's friends from church.  They are his midweek play dates.  They have prayed for George, and for us.  They have helped Clay and me through the transition into parenthood.  I felt like we were surrounded by our support system, and I cannot wait for George to really know the people who came to celebrate him on his first birthday.

 Only official picture of the day of the three of us.

George loves hanging out with Chase and Hank!

 George was getting a little sleepy...

 ...and then it was cupcake time!

George actually loved all of the attention as everyone sang 'Happy Birthday'. 

It took the rest of the kids 0.0000001 seconds to swarm the cupcake table after the song was over.  Here, Camp Giddens is ready to help himself to George's cake.

 George was a little shy about trying his cake at first.

 Then he came out of his shell.

Then he got really excited!

 He decided that using his hands was too slow.

Here, George is literally just putting his mouth to the cake to cut out the middle man.

 The rest of the kids followed suit.

 Even the big kids.

 Pre-party picture.

 Kids' food table with party favors.

I am so thankful for the family and friends that surround us.  Yesterday was such a sweet celebration of George's first year, and the friendships and love that he will grow into over the coming years.  We would not be the parents we are to George without the people around us.   George has been officially 'celebrated' and we are excited to see what year #2 holds!

Happy Birthday, George!