The party

The day after Benjy's birthday we had a party, for immediate family, but, our families being what they are, that amounted to 34 people! I had been excited for months about baking my first baby his first birthday cake. Nothing too fancy - just a '1', but it turned out just how I had hoped. We had such a lovely afternoon. All the children played with Benjy, the weather was just right, and it only got too much for Benjy a couple of times - notably when he crawled all the way from the garden, through the house, pushing people's legs out of the way, out of the front door and all the way down the street! I kept thinking he'd get worn out soon but he just kept going, and going, and going. All the children followed him, either trying to coax him on or trying to coax him back home. Benjy ate cake, smarties, chocolate, all sorts - for his birthday I certainly relaxed the rules! After everyone went we opened more presents, and for the most part he wasn't interested, until we opened an Igglepiggle. He was at the other end of the room when we showed him it, and I have never seen him crawl so fast to get to something! The look on his face was priceless - utter wonderment not only that such a thing existed, but that it was for him. He kissed it and cuddled it over and over, something he has never done with any kind of teddy before, it was just too cute.

Photos include the party spread; and waiting patiently for the Smarties on the cake - and then not so patiently.