Anderson's First Birthday party!!

Anderson's birthday party weekend started with a total bummer!  We were all so looking forward to Auntie Lauren flying in for the festivities.  I was eager for Lauren to play with Anderson, now that he is so grown up, see our new house, hug her sister.... AND I was going to put her to work with party prep for sure!  BUT all three Harden girls were teary Friday night as not one but two flights from Boston to Richmond were cancelled, and Lauren had to take her suitcase back home.  :(  It was somewhat stormy, but I couldn't believe our luck.  Lauren was soo missed!

Mom showed up at 10 am Saturday morning to help me with party prep- I would've been in trouble without her!  The party began at 4:30, and I think it wasn't until 4:35 that 36 cupcakes and one beehive cake were baked and frosted, Winnie the Pooh decorations were all set up, outside picnic tables ready, I was showered and dressed, Anderson (skipping his afternoon nap) was dressed, and food was on the table or in the oven.  My grandma, dad, Chris, Sarah, and Liam showed up just in time to help me get the final decorations and food finished.  Grandma and Sarah got the "piglets in a blanket" rolled and ready.  Chris was allowed artistic license with the balloons, and he did not disappoint!

One Hundred Acre Wood sign, thanks to Grandpa!

Honey pot party favors in picnic basket

The kitchen before most of the food made it on the table, but you get the idea

Party guests began to arrive.  McKenzie was the belle of the ball, playing with Anderson and Liam.  Poor Anderson was the only one who wasn't up on two feet yet, but he didn't seem to mind. :)

More family arrived, and we all ate and visited, and tried to stay in the shade.  Luckily the temperatures were in the 80's, so it was warm but we could enjoy the backyard.  The menu included piglets in a blanket, vegetables from Rabbit's garden, baked "bee"ns, Roo's chicken nuggets, Kanga's famous mac and cheese, "Pooh"tato salad, and "Tea" is for Tigger.  I completely forgot to put the 120 chick-fil-a nuggets out, but luckily Sarah remided me before we were finished eating.  An honest mistake, really... of course I didn't want to eat all 120 myself... really ;)

Great-Grandma Ives, Nannie, Toby, Augy, and Heather

Sarah, Chris, and Liam

Grandpas

Katelynn and Great-Grandma

Michael, Amanda, Jerry, Grandpa, Cassons

Kelly, McKenzie, Steven

Ryan and Casey

Kelly, McKenzie, and me

After eating, it was time to open presents.  Anderson is one lucky boy!!  He now has his own rocking chair and outdoor bench, so many new fun toys, some really cute clothes, and a new favorite book ("Where's Spot?").  He also got a special gift from mommy and daddy (you may have to take a second look....)

Cousin Augy helping out

A new puzzle

Birthday glasses from Great-Grandma.  Looking goood!

Trying out his new bench... Anderson looks smitten :)

Daddy acting like he was surprised by the gift, too.  Nice try ;)

In case you missed it. :)

The birthday boy was fading fast, like I mentioned his afternoon nap didn't happen.  We did our best to perk him up with some birthday cake.  He was mainly interested in the birthday icing, and got good and messy like every birthday boy should.  The cupcakes were bumble bees, and the cake was a beehive, to go with our Winnie the Pooh theme.

No big smiles, but plenty of "mmm"s to let us know he was a happy boy!

What a wonderful day to show Anderson how loved and how special he is.  We love you so much, Anderson!  You are more amazing than I ever imagined.  In the words of Christopher Robin...

" Promise me you'll always remember:

 You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." 

We love you forever!