Avery's 1st Birthday Party

On a beautiful, warm, sunny-but-not-scorching (thankfully!) Saturday, we celebrated Avery's 1st birthday in all the festive happiness that our little tiny watermelon dress-wearing munchkin can ever imagine.

Its my birthday party you guys!

We had the party at a local park, under a gazebo overlooking a shimmery lake swimming with ducks. I had prepared over a hundred balloons and rented a large helium tank for the event, as well as yards of streamers and endless decorations. But in the end, we only had time to put up about half of all of that! haha. I need to write this down for next time, so I don't overdo it AGAIN! Me in Mom-zilla Party Mode is not a pretty sight, as Howard will readily explain to you. Our guest list had approximately 70 adults, 20 kids. So needless to say, I was very nervous about a gazebo that had a limit of 25! But in the end, it worked out well. We brought in plenty of shade, tables, and chairs. We are so very thankful for all the help that we recieved during the setup and teardown.
Posters!
LOTS of balloons!
Party up in here!

We had bubble stations up in the front grass area, balloon animalist, face painting, doggies to pet, food to eat, beer to guzzle, strawberry lemonade to cool down, and enough yummy Chinese food and pizza to feed an army. Don't forget the KIMCHI!
I shall be saving this yard sign for Avery's 16th birthday party. (I initially declared it for her 21st, but figured Kevin's right, its much more interesting to embarrass her as a teenager)
Avery picks a profession. The choices: (from the left) calculator, shovel, flute, ruler, stethoscope, oil pastels, balance ruler, wad of cash, laptop, pen, book. She touched the stethoscope and the crowd erupted in excitement, which made her scared and then withdraw her hand.
Someone said she should try again. So we went for Round 2. This time, she grabbed a oil pastel. Artist!

Her Auntie Cindy's interpretation: Dropping out of med school after her parents paid all the tuition, and then becoming an artist. That's so funny! NOT.
Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Avery, and she cuts her cake. I am so sad that the cake got ruined a bit! But atleast it looks good in this picture.

Great-Grandma with the Birthday Girl
I hope everyone is having a good time!
Ooh! Bubble! She's calling everything in a shape of a ball, a BALL! Balloon? BALL! Bubble? BALL!Look what I've got! Sitting on her birthday seat, holding a balloon animal mouse!Sigh. Its apparently not a party until Avery's had her first taste of beer. Honestly, I would not be surprised if one of the Grandparents haven't already let her taste it already before. And I know who it is. GPS, I'm looking at you.
Emily and Julian had a blast! I love how kids can make friends where ever they go. Its so inspiring!Spencer and Coffee getting acquainted with each other. hee heeAuntie Cindy and Uncle Kevin flew down for the event! Their birthday presents included a Nalgene sippy bottle, and a North Face hoodie. You are hardpressed to find Auntie Cindy without her Nalgene bottle, and Uncle Kevin without a North Face jacket. So now Avery has a piece of them wherever she goes!
And then she turned to her Mommy and gave her a smile that said, "Thank you Mommy, for throwing me my first birthday party." And her Mommy was happy. Birthday Girl sits atop her mountain of presents. She made out like a bandit!

Thank you to everyone who came out to take part in celebrating Avery's 1st birthday with us! We are truly thankful to have so many loving friends and family. Avery is one very lucky little girl!