Ben, Kate, Archie, Annie: November 2009

Sour puss face, I guess the frosting was not his favorite...
I found some pictures on Kristen's blog, thanks for letting me borrow them. Enjoy!

Archie turned one on Nov. 7th, and I am a little late in posting about the festivities. I went to the computer today where I thought I had saved the pictures that we took on his birthday, but they are gone... so I guess I didn't save them, and they are now deleted off the memory card, so I will just have to paint a picture in your minds with words about a marvelous first birthday party!

Archie woke up that morning and didn't look like a one year old, he still doesn't to me, but I guess I have never really seen him as 1, so I have nothing to compare it to, he is growing into it I suppose. I made a banner of flags that spelled out HAPPY BIRTHDAY, that are now the family birthday sign, Arch liked examining them in his hands, touching the fabric and the felt. We had waffles, with ice cream and strawberries, for our birthday lunch, I added chocolate syrup to mine, of course it made my waffle more delicious. Archie just had green beans and bananas, we weren't too sure about the dairy products yet (but we are now, he is all ready to go to eat any dairy he wants, or that his parents will let him!).

After the lunch we opened presents! Archie didn't really get the concept, he tried, half heartedly, I was too impatient, so I helped him open his gifts. He got a great dump truck with blocks, from grandma, a fire truck push/ride on toy from mom and dad, and a great book of pictures and words, that has been flipped through hundreds of times already, from Aunt Krist. A few days later, a wonderful package arrived from Grammy Manker, with a baby that Alex adopts when she comes over to play, a fun little truck and jammies. BUT, the best present of all, and the most short lived, was a giant box that Archie's new car seat came in. Seriously, it was the best toy for a few days, until Ben sat on it and kind of crushed it; it became a cave with a welcome mat, then just a flat dancing stage, then garbage, but recycled garbage, boo-yah.

So after presents, we played a trivia game, Alex and Archie style. Alex weighed 6 ounces more than Archie did when she was born, Archie has traveled through 20 states in his first year of life, Alex wears huggies and Archie wears pampers, and Alex's name has 19 letters while Archie's has 18. All interesting facts... I am sure if you study you will win the next Alex-Archie trivia extravaganza.

So now, onto the cake-! We put Arch in his booster seat in the kitchen. We got a free cake from a local grocery store that gives free cakes away for a first birthday, so I wasn't really concerned about what happened to it. Alex stood by, right next to, Archie while he investigated his cake. First he stuck his hand in and frosted his entire right hand, but he did not taste it until both hands were covered and he had no other option but to lick his hand of course. Meanwhile, Alex stealthily took swipes of frosting for herself, it was so cute, because Archie had a confused, slightly ornery look on his face, while Alex was just having tons of fun.

Taste test over, Archie no like, Alex like. Soon it became just tearing the cake apart, then a whine and a whimper to get out of the chair, he was ready for his nap, too much fun for the day.

It was a fun day, there were balloons, flags, waffles, games, presents, food, oh and an M&M cake, I frosted it with white vanilla, and did lines of the same color, but different shaped m&m's, so there were regular, peanut and peanut butter.

The kids took naps and we played cranium, then outside to play bags- it was a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone for having fun with us and being a great family! We love you.