Shakers Quakers and Cookie Makers

One

Well that year flew. Yesterday was D's first birthday. After a hectic schedule which involved her being awoken at 630 to the sound of her deranged parents singing Happy Birthday, her first over 1's disco (early doors, no bar, no boys and no skulling Calpol down the back), a quick kip and a valet, and an afternoon spent entertaining all of her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and God parents, D can be said to have officially arrived on the busy toddler's social circuit. We sang her happy birthday repeatedly during the day - as she seemed to enjoy it so much. We eventually got a happy birthday text from next door who must have thought we were sending them subtle reminders.

The quick once over before her guests arrive

M went all out as usual and made not just one, but 2! amazing chocolate birthday cakes. She also fed an army of 25 of the above mentioned relatives with tasty parp parp.

Fireside Story Telling

D was the perfect hostess despite the madness going on all around her. She did very well on the present front aswell. Her grandad John M got her a beautiful corduroy rocking horse which she knocked great sport out of. We had an impromptu under 3s gymkhana in the sitting room as all of the kids tried to outdo each other on the horse. A and N got her a gorgeous Shaker doll's house. Doll house making is an interesting line of work for a religious organisation but I suppose they have to occupy themselves somehow while the wait for the "second appearing". We got her a colourful wooden bumbling tower, her own shopping basket and a cow on wheels.......gifts which I've just realised dont look nearly as good on paper as quaker doll houses and corduroy ponies. But D is definitely pretending to love them.

The stark realisation....


Conor on the prowl "Any spare chocolate stuff.....Or kisses?"

The wind down

Thanks to all for coming and making little D's first birthday really special. And thanks on D's behalf for all the amazing and extremely thoughtful gifts. She doesn't know it yet but she has enough books, toys and clothes to last her til her next birthday so she won't be seeing the inside of a toyshop until 2010 :)