Aj's birthday celebrations

AJ is one lucky lil guy! We had a week of celebration for his 1st birthday.

It all started on his bday March 4. We invited our fabulous friends to join us at the SD Zoo for a birthday scavenger hunt. First we had some blueberry muffins, watermelon, and juice and sang to AJ.

(photo courtesy of Life Art Photography)

(photo courtesy of Life Art Photography)

All of the kids loved the muffins and were definitely ready to get to moving. But not before a group photo! I took about 20 photos and this is the best one. The kids did a great job overall holding still.

After snacks we began the scavenger hunt. I passed out an adventure bag to each of the kidlets. In it was a preschool size pad of paper, a crayon, a silly viewer, a whistle, a big lion sticker, and some animal cookies for later. We gave the kids clues so they could guess which animals we were off to see. When we arrived at the animal exhibit I passed out the animal stickers to put in their adventure books (the pad of paper). Our first stop...flamingos and ducks.

Aiyana and her Diego animal rescuer spotting scope. She had to "lead the way" and look for the animals. She really got into the role.

(photo courtesy of Life Art Photography)

Allie and Jack were trying to reach up and put their faces in the monkey mask. They weren't quite tall enough yet. Soon babes!

(photo courtesy of Life Art Photography)

(photo courtesy of Janis)

All of the kids really enjoyed watching the animals and collecting their stickers. The bigger girls were particular about their stickers and the boys were more focused on the animals.

After all our friends left we made one more stop to visit Clyde the Orangutan. He and AJ have a thing. They always connect a little when we go to see him.

After AJ told Clyde some stuff, we had a little game of chase.


On our way out we there was a beautiful peacock hanging around the exit waiting to tell AJ to have a great day.

After a fantastic afternoon nap for the whole family, AJ woke up ready to eat. He and Aiyana finished the watermelon and practiced their lion roars.

What a great day! We are so blessed! Thank you fab friends!

On Saturday the 7th we had a party for the family to celebrate with us. We all gathered at Nana and Papa's for AJ's baseball party. We grilled kabobs and corn on the cob and we snacked on popcorn, peanuts and veggies.

I made a sugar free whole grain banana cake with cream cheese frosting for AJ to dive into. I sweetened the frosting with white grape juice.


AJ's new favorite


Tio Levi and Daddy having fun!



AJ and cousin Aralynn are just a few days apart.

Proud Mommys!


The cake was pretty good and AJ had lots of fun digging into it.




He had more fun with the baseball cupcake because it was his size.



Grandma demanded that we give him a spoon because it was barbaric to have him using his hands.






And seal it with a kiss!