Strawberry Shortcake Party!

Charlie had her first birthday party on Saturday, September 5th. We had all the Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins over to cook out and swim and help us celebrate little Charlie's first milestone. For her big birthday mommy and daddy got her a big girl chair (seen here to the left), some clothes and a ladybug pillow to roll around with. We had a Strawberry Shortcake theme with a strawberry shortcake cup cake cake, some balloons and our very own strawberry outfit! Everytime she sees her shiny strawberry shortcake balloon now she points and says "cake!"
Here she is taking her first bite of her strawberry shortcake cupcake. She wasn't too happy about the frosting getting on her hands, and needless to say we had green poopie diapers the next couple of days, but I think the sugar made her VERY happy, and energetic - she never stopped going until after her bedtime that night!!
Here she and her cousin Kylie are playing with her toys. What a joy to be able to spend time with our cousins that day!

I somehow wish that this would be a moment she would remember forever, but as all kids - I don't remember much when I was that age! Hopefully I documented it well enough, and I know this will be a day I will always remember. Mommy can "refresh" her memory when she is older!!

Happy Birthday Charlie Shay!!

To celebrate Charlie's first birthday, Jeff took off on Friday and we all went to the Dallas World Aquarium. We weren't sure if she would be interested, or even notice the animals but when we got there she was loving the birds and monkeys and even looked excited to be seeing the animals. I was loving it! She would point and laugh at things and stare with amazement. I was so happy to see her taking it all in!

We walked through the rain forest and she loved pointing at the plants, even trying to take a leaf with us here and there. Here is a picture of us at the entrance near the waterfall. I love that smile!

Here Charlie is with Daddy laughing and clapping at something she saw that tickled her. Some of the time I caught her staring at other kids there. Maybe she thought they were part of the displays?? Daddy and I took turns carrying her around so she could get a good look at the animals, but she isn't a 10 pounder anymore and we had to keep shifting her back and forth frequently! One year olds are heavy! At least I got a good workout!

Well Charlie Shay, I hope you had a great day at the World Aquarium! On our way out we stopped in the gift shop and she found a little stuffed penguin, which is now named Penny. By the look on her face I think she really had a good time, but I know she is totally excited about her Strawberry Shortcake party that we had the next day....... more to come!