We had so much fun, over what seemed like the longest day ever! He was surrounded by all his favourite people and just had a ball! There was so much love in our house (and people at some points) it was fit to burst! But to be honest it was just such a special, beautiful day and something I'll remember and treasure always, even though right now a day later, I'm left feeling shell-shocked, exhausted and both happy and sad at the same time!
Joseph got a cow print smart trike and a little tikes Police Car from us and a heap of lovely things that I knew he'd just love! He woke up early and we came downstairs and opened his presents, Daddy skyped from Egypt as soon as he finished his shift and loads of family and friends came to see him and share his day and gave him so many fantastic things that he was truly spoiled!
It's not easy doing it all on my own and I decided that this will be the last birthday I'd be able to get away with using lots of "baby blue" colours for the decorations, so I had some fun and I think it turned out well and everything looked pretty! (not that it made a bit of difference to him - but I liked it!) This is also probably the only birthday that Joe'll have here in Scotland surrounded with family, as we'll be in Spain next year for at least the next 5 birthdays - so I wanted it to be as special as I could make it!
As he is of Fraser/Shepherd decent I had a wee feeling that a tonne of people would be in throughout the day so Olivia, Emma and myself got stuck in to baking and setting up everything the day before, both grannies turned up and we were like a well oiled machine once we got going! It was brilliant all being together and I loved it!
All the hard work paid off as everything went smoothly, thank god! - we had fairy cakes, butterfly cakes, chocolate krispie cakes, top hat marshmallows, 10's cake, Auntie Lee Ann made us scones too! It was yummy! Just like when we were small - old fashioned and tasty! We munched soup, crusty bread and pate etc for lunch which was mostly scoffed and hopefully kept everybody going! We had 3 different types of soup - Granny Christine made celery, Rona made turkey broth and I made sweet potato and squash with coconut! Mmmmm. And in my wisdom I cooked up a truck load of chicken pasta the night before, which went with salad and garlic bread at teatime and then jelly and icecream!(although with the amount I've frozen - we'll be tucking into blooming pasta for months to come!!)
Auntie Lor made his cake and it's just so completely beautiful. I'd found a few pictures online and showed her the rough idea of what I wanted ..... and the cake she lovingly made for my precious boy is a million times better than all of them! Words cant say how special a first birthday cake is, and this was just perfect. And I know how much time, love and thought had gone into it - which has made it even more special and beautiful. I love it so much, that it is still sitting intact, uncut and utterly perfectly whole! I can't bring myself to touch it!
Fraser and Kirsten, with the help of little Chloe (actually, on second thoughts Fraser was probably still in bed, whilst this was getting made by the other two early birds!!!) made him a wonderful banner - in the most lovely shade of blue which was admired and took pride of place on the decking fence for everyone to see. Because of the nice bright day we had - so much of the "party" fun was had outside in the garden! The lucky people of Queens Gardens were treated to the the sound of HAPPY children - they ran, they skipped, they played football, they sang, they laughed, they skooted about in babywalkers shrieking NING NING NING!!! and they were so well behaved and all played amazingly well together - from the age of 1 to 16!!!!!
It was a great day for the greatest wee man - Jospeh David James I love you with all my heart and you are the most beautiful, funny special baby and everyone you meet is under your spell! You are just adored and cherished and I love spending every single second with you - I hope we have so much fun this year together and I can't wait! xxx
Happy Birthday Baby! - I made you a lovely wish xxxxxxx
