Celebrate Being 1!

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Claire's 1st birthday with our family and friends.  

Celebration started on Tuesday, Claire's actual birthday.  She woke up to a decorated door just like Anna had.  Her face really lit up when she saw she had streamers on her door to match Anna's!

 She got to have her favorite breakfast...

 Jelly on Toast!

 Yum!

 Will it all fit?!

 Anna loves it too!

After a morning bath, we had to measure Claire and add it to the big ruler to keep track.  She has grown a lot since we last measured her in February!

The rest of her actual birthday was spent doing Claire's favorite things.  Mostly playing, napping, and eating.  Nothing too out of the ordinary!  

Friday we started getting ready for the big birthday party!  I took on the challenge of the cake.  The theme of the day was Claire Bear, so obviously she needed a bear cake.  Here was the in-progress cake:  

Claire was watching me make it, and wanted to be with me, mostly because I think she thought she had a better chance of tasting the cake!

Starting the frosting...I think it looks like a bear!

Saturday morning we woke up anxious for our guests to arrive!  Claire was looking good in her party dress!

This girl loves milk.  And looks cute in pig tails!

(Check out our awesome new blue stool in the background of this picture!)

Cousin Will finally arrived and Anna was pumped!  They played outside for a little while before the party started.  

Anna checked on our herbs growing by her sandbox.  

Playing some tee-ball.

Mowing and tee-ball.

Claire had to taste test all the snacks before everyone else arrived.

The final product!

The birthday spread.

Anna and Will loved sitting by the food!

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday girl!

Another cake shot.

Anxious for the cake!

Sneaking the cake when she thought no one was looking.

Going for it!

She got an entire paw....

 ...and dove right in....

 ...want some?..

 All the party guests enjoying some cake!

Posing with one of the only 1 year olds I have ever met that took down the entire piece of cake quickly and without too much of a mess.  Not much missed this girls mouth!

The remnants of the cake.

Cute kids.

One more bite before we clean up.

Clean up time!

To the sink!

After cake we had lots of fun playing...

Claire with all of her kid-party guests.  

Time for presents!

Finally getting the hang of this!

Present from Anna....

Sandbox toys!

Hugs for my sister!

Official Wartburg waterbottle!

Sleeping bag for camping!

Clapping to thank everyone for all of her gifts.  

ClaireBear was very spoiled.  She got lots of cute outfits, new toys, and money for her college fund.  She is a lucky little girl!

Here she is giving her new baby doll a hug.

After the presents and more play, we headed back outside (after a downpour) to play in the pool!

 Lots of water was squirted all around!

 Anna and Will standing back from the battling brothers!

 RUN!

 Kate kept Claire a safe distance away from the chaos.

 Claire ventured out to play on the slide, her favorite!

 Stealing Grandpa's hat!

 Hugs for our party guests who were leaving.

After some guests had to leave, the party kept going.  The balloons were a huge hit!

Saturday evening we had supper with all of our family and it was a great evening.  

Sunday we got up early...very early...and had more fun together to celebrate Father's Day and the wonderful dad's in our lives! 

Claire and Will chatting at the fridge.  

Claire wanted Grandma's curler.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Happy Father's Day Great-Grandpa!

Sunday we spent more time outside playing. Our sandbox was a bit flooded...

Anna picked our first radish from our garden.  

Claire enjoyed some of Great-Grandma's chocolate pudding.

 This was much messier than the cake from Saturday!

 And another bath in the sink. 

Finally in the afternoon we were able to get our swimming suits on and get in the pool!

It was a great weekend full of celebration!  Happy Birthday to Claire!  We are thankful that everyone came to celebrate with us.  

This week we are trying to relax where we can among our appointments and other fun activities.  Today we went to the library and saw some cool reptiles!  Anna is still talking about the huge python she got to touch!  Tomorrow we have gymnastics and Friday and Saturday we get to spend time with friends and neighbors.  Lots of fun to be had!