The Party

For our first go round on the birthday thing as parents, I was particularly feeling a lot of pressure. It seems like the 1st birthday has really been made into a selling point by the party industry. I've been getting magazines in the mail for the past three months by some party company highlighting all of their special for' 1 year birthday party' supplies. Coordinating plates, balloons, crowns, highchair garb, etc. All that, it's just not us.

So after lots of talking this past month, and no plan making whatsoever, the week of Heath's birthday came. We didn't have invitations printed. Although a handful of people had inquired how we were celebrating, we didn't have an answer to offer. Part of the challenge we face in moments like this is the reminder that we are further away from family than what we want. As Jonathan and I talked about what was important to us, we knew the celebration that would be right for all of us included just a handful of special things, people really.

So what other place to spend this time celebrating than at our favorite, Cable Car Pizza.

For the first time, Heath had part of the whole pizza, cheese, sauce and all. That's sauce on his chin, forehead, hands, legs, . . .

Also enjoyed was his favorite pizza crust that he has been eating for a couple months now.

I made Heath (and friends) microphone cakes. They are cupcakes frosted and sprinkled on top of ice cream cones, with M&Ms inside the base.

Here is the cake eating experience on film:

We are ok with him not loving chocolate frosting at this point in his life. We later picked out the inside of the vanilla cupcake and he ate some of that. (organic mix from ONF)

In addition to Cable Car Owner Jane behind the camera, here is the crew celebrating Heath's 1st year of life! Jane and Ray were so excited that we shared Heath's birthday with them (and the cupcakes too). They have been a special family to know in our time here and we are trying to convince them that Blacksburg needs a Cable Car Pizza!

We also brought Heath's birthday truck along with us so that he could play. He had no problem making himself at home there and riding along. Jane, is talking behind him snapping pictures all the while!

And in case you thought Heath was playing by himself all night, here is some footage with his buddy Calvin.