Well finally! This has probably been the hardest blog to get done! So many pictures, that it made it difficult to download. Anyway, the party was great! Everyone who was invited showed up. How often does that happen?! I was so busy doing so many things that day, that I didn't get all of the pictures I had wanted. Of course, my goal was to try and get pictures of all the groups of tables. That didn't happen. There was just so much for me to do and so many people I wanted to see and talk to. But Vito and I think it all worked out. Nico was being slightly timid that day. Which I suppose is to be expected when all the attention is directed right at you. I keep telling him he has to expect it if he plans on being an international super model/star. He doesn't seem to get that though. The sandwiches were awesome! (Thanks Antonelli's) The cake was duh-li-cious!!! (Thanks Crumbs of Paris) I had hoped Neekers would have been a little more excited about having a whole smash cake Elmo face to himself. But again, when all eyes are on you singing, and you don't know the words, you tend to freeze up. I still think he performed like a champ! There was so much for everyone to do, that it didn't seem like a baby's birthday party at all! Some people fished off the dock. The kids went swimming in the lake. The big boys played horse shoe. Some of the kids went to the playground. We were even ready for Bocchi ball and volleyball, but there just wasn't enough time for all of it! As for Big Boy's great debut as a One-year-old, he LOVES cake. (We did a practice run on his actual birthday) In the video you can see that he gets a little tense and tries to sink back in his highchair...which shows a lovely, pudgy face. But he quickly snaps out of it thanks to the help of his cousins Maya and Sammi - whom he adores! After the cake was clean-up time with Mama, Nana and Auntie Lili, which he wasn't pleased about. However, literally 3 minutes later he was in the water and apparently forgot about the whole incident!
It was very important to Vito and I that we find just the right place for all of us to enjoy the day. We wanted it to have all of the things that we feel "represent" (I know that's a lame word to use - but I can't think of anything else) us and all of the things we want our friends and family to enjoy. For weeks we struggled with where to have the party so that everyone could/would have a great time. Therefore, Vito and I also want to give a super big thanks to Uncle John and Aunt Carol for helping us get the Clubhouse for this party! Of course we don't want to forget to thank our out-of-towners for coming in. And last but not least all of you for being there to celebrate this milestone! What a great First Birthday you had Nico!
