Our Little Pumpkin is One

We have had such an amazing year with our Little Pumpkin and it called for a celebration, a big celebration.

The day started with all of us coming into her bedroom when she woke up. She was a little confused by the six of us but as we sang Happy Birthday she swayed to the music and her grin got bigger and bigger. We spent the morning at the soccer fields and then came home to open presents. Johanna got into ripping paper and with some assistance from Jim and her sisters opened her gifts from us and Grandma Kate and PawPaw. I think her favorite toy was a pair of maracas. We laid her down for a nap as we switched gears to preparing for the party. We had invited the family, friends and neighbors to come celebrate our joyful girl's First Birthday.

We did a pumpkin theme and started with a cute invitation I had done on Etsy. Jim and I had stayed up late the prior evening chopping food and making and icing the desserts. The big sisters pitched in, hanging banners and cleaning up. We were putting the finishing touches on everything as people began to arrive.

Johanna was incredibly good tempered and smiled and was happy to be held by the guests who came to celebrate with her. Hanna happily sat in her highchair eating a banana and watching the commotion as everyone filled their plates with food.

Then it was time for presents. Everyone crowded around in the living room as Hanna sat in my lap to open presents. Hanna did really well going through the big pile from generous people in her life. After gifts Hanna played a little and then switched to Papa's lap for her cake. I made her a pumpkin bundt cake shaped like a pumpkin with dairy free icing. Johanna loved the candle atop her cake and grinned with squinty eyes and a wrinkled nose. She tried to touch the flame but Papa and cousin John blew it out before she burned herself.

Hanna was very excited to get into her highchair and eat her cake. She picked up the whole piece and happily ate it off her fists. By the end of the party Hanna was exhausted but kept walking around happily. She was happy but completely tuckered out.