1 Year Birthday Bash!

Now, when you read this post's title and think of a 1 year birthday BASH, you may be thinking petting zoo, clowns on stilts, bounce houses... The 1 year old birthday party has been a source of great debate and compromise in the Cislaghi household. Prior to the birth of our first child, Ethan and I, being the excellent planners that we are, thought to discuss and come to an agreement regarding the 1 year birthday party, as these can vary widly in magnitude. We happily agreed, birthed our child, and lived in harmonious bliss until the 1 year mark approached(over dramatized for effect).

As I began to book the clowns to make the balloon animals for the day of the big blowout, Ethan objected and said the we had previously agreed to have no 1 year birthday party.

"What?!" I said.

"Yes, we talked about it before Elijah was ever born. No 1 year birthday, that is what we agreed." My husband answered.

"Oh, no..." I said, "what we SAID was that we would not have a *HUGE* one year birthday party. We agreed that we wouldn't go over the top with it, not that we wouldn't have it at all." (Certainly balloon animals are not over the top, are they?)

After a time, we reached a suitable compromise. The 1 Year Birthday Bash would commence, but while it would still be a "bash" in name, it would really be more of a small family backyard BBQ with homemade cupcakes and time for presents. I traded in my balloon animal making clown for a small bouquet of balloons from Kroger and peace was restored in the home. :)

(Disclaimer: In case you can not tell, I am joking about the drama.)

We held Elijah's first ever birthday party (not counting his actual birth-day) this past weekend and had a fabulous time! We are so blessed by this precious little 1 year old boy that God has entrusted to us. We were glad to get to share him a little bit with family on his special day and appreciate them making the trip in to celebrate him with us! We love you, Eli, and wish you a Happy, Happy (belated) Birthday!

Elijah LOVED his birthday balloons!  Thanks you, Kroger, we will be back every year.

Balloons and Daddy...what could be better?

Opening up presents with Daddy

Super cute birthday bib from Marchjo...

...on a super cute birthday boy! :)

Elijah got this huge stuffed duck from his great grandparents and was having a great time playing with it.

Ethan would pick him up and "plop" him on top of it and he was laughing and smiling every time.

Family Picture. 
Elijah would have smiled but of course then he would have had to stop checking out his cool new black and red soccer ball from Pops and Mamie...

Mom's idea...let's put the balloons behind the high chair so the pictures will be cute.  Didn't take long to realize we may never get his attention off those balloons. 

Cake time!

"Is that for me?!"

Enjoying the candle and group rendition of Happy Birthday.

"We should do this every day!!"

Blowing out the candle...

"Mommy, what did you do?!"

We tried re-lighting the candle and singing again, but I guess it just wasn't the same. 

Mommy, Daddy, and the Birthday Boy

Helping Eli with the cake

Eli enjoyed the blue icing

"Do I have to eat the whole thing?"

"I think I'm all full of cake.  Can I go play with my new toys?"

Fun with the great grandmothers!

Banging on the tray always makes for a good time.

The next day, Elijah was wearing one of his new birthday outfits (from Pops and Mamie) and enjoying some time with Pops

Elijah with Pops and Mamie.  Great picture and a great birthday weekend!  Thanks everyone!