One Year Birthday!

I am not now, nor will I ever be a Pintrest mom… you know the type: the all natural GMO free meals and snacks prepped each day, a carefully curated collection of toys and activities that not only look gorgeous but are guaranteed to help your child excel in life and, the biggest component, elaborate birthday parties with unique and clever themes that appear in every aspect of the party from the invitation through to the decorations, menu and gifts.  Don’t get me wrong, I love these moms!  I just don’t have the patience or attention to detail to know where to begin so if and when Oskar asks for a European vintage car themed party I fully plan to outsource the planning to those better equipped:  my mom, sister and close friend Anjulee. 

So when it came to Oskar’s first birthday, which happened to fall on Memorial Day weekend, the plans were set without much thought.  We would spend the weekend at the Lake and host drinks and appetizers Saturday afternoon at the cabin for the celebration.  No formal invitations (other than a few phone calls), no decorations, no theme, and no stress. 

Oskar opened his presents early in the afternoon surrounded by both sets of grandparents and shared his new toys with his cousins Alton, Cassidy and Blake.  Unwilling to forgo the obligatory cake smash to commemorate his first true taste of sugar and chocolate, I baked him a carrot, zucchini chocolate cake and watched in anticipation as he took his first tentative bit.  While he wasn’t that impressed with the cake either due to my baking skills or the sweetness, thankfully everyone else enjoyed the dessert.

 

The best part of the weekend however was the following day, which we spent out on the boat.  With the weather warm enough, we all got a chance to get in the water to cool off and Oskar was able to prove his status as a Lake Rat.  He had such a fun time splashing around in the water, getting his face wet and laughing at the bubbles.    Seeing him play in the water was such a relief since his previous trip to the Lake wasn’t so promising.  

And while Oskar is ready to enjoy the summer in the water, I am ready for the next few years in my new role as family Sherpa!