1st Birthday

So, last month we received this (totally unsolicited) catalog in the mail, so that we could appropriately prepare for Brynna's 1st birthday. By buying lots of pink, frilly, environmentally wasteful stuff:

Including, apparently, a pink throne upon which Brynna could sit to open her presents. And lots of princess accessories.

Surely scarring Brynna for life, we refused to throw a fancy party for someone who wouldn't notice. (Or to buy a throne for someone who doesn't sit anywhere for longer than a few seconds, unless there are blueberries involved.) My mom made fabulous angel food cupcakes, and we got some blueberries and cream, and there were some presents, which were spread out over several days to allow maximum enjoyment of ribbons and torn-up paper. Sorry, folks, no throne pictures here! Just a happy first birthday girl, hanging out with her family:

Sampling the whipped cream:

First encounter with a birthday candle:

Supervising the candle-blowing-outing (Papa helped):

And working on her blueberry shortcake:

As one would expect from a one year old, Brynna had at least as much fun with the wrapping as with her presents.

What is in this bag?

How about this box?

Fabulous wrapping from MJ and Bob...

More wrapping! I can't wait to see what's inside!

Hmm. Aunt Katherine sure has some cool stripey paper!

It's a new book!

And a magnet!

Getting started early with the family habit of reading on the go...

Look! I got a package in the mail from Auntie Beth!

What could she have put in here for me?

It's a cute bag! Gotta find a way to carry it while I'm on the go...

A fascinating box from Aunt Donna:

And the Red Sox cap that was inside:

Dickie sent me a toy almost as big as I am! Hello, Elmo!

A lovely time was had by all. It's hard to believe how far Brynna has come in a year! She now stands up and walks (staggers) by herself, has two bottom teeth, signs "milk," "more," "all done," and "eat," says "Mo!" at daycare in such a way that she might actually be naming Moki the cat (Jasper is very insulted), climbs on and off low steps, and is fascinated by books, balls, and by putting things into boxes and taking them out again. Go, little B!