There isn't a day that passes, or a moment for that matter, that I don't thank my lucky stars that Phineas, with his bright smile and blonde head of curls, ended up in our family. He has so much curiosity, happiness, sweetness and personality. It was so much fun getting to celebrate his birthday; we love him so much.
We kicked off the day with breakfast. Phineas loves to try whatever we give him to eat so it was just a matter of narrowing down foods we had given him that he liked. I thought it would be fun to decorate his high chair but he had the better idea of pulling the bunting off and giving that a taste, too. So it didn't last too long. And we had to improvise with our happy birthday sign when we couldn't find the 2nd 'y'. I realize he is only 1 and doesn't really notice those things, but I want to put forth the effort and help him feel an extra abundance of love for him. And an extra dose of love is something that a 1-year-old can feel.
The kids helped finish getting all the things that we love about Phineas on the wall before breakfast and signed his card.
Phineas loved his card and seemed to think it would taste nice as well.
I think I have mentioned this before, but Phineas has been folding his arms for prayer and it is so sweet. He seems to have become conditioned to doing it every time we sit at the table or say we are going 'bye bye' - his arms fold and he's ready to go. So cute. So precious.
After breakfast we started opening his presents with his birthday outfit. Phineas wasn't really interested in opening presents. He just wanted to play with everyone. When he realized that there was something inside the paper he thought it was pretty funny.
We put on his birthday outfit and did his birthday photos (those are in another post). Then headed for his birthday outing.
The big siblings were trying really hard to figure out what Phinny's birthday outing was going to be. They were expecting something along the lines of the museums that we take them to. They needed a little reminder that 1-year-olds don't enjoy all those things quite as much as a 4 and 6 year old do and to be prepared for some 1-year-old sized fun.
As it happens everyone loved the outing regardless. We went to the lake, watched the water (I could have stayed there all day - the light reflecting off the water, the perfect, fluffy clouds, the sound of the waves and the view of the sail boats made for an absolutely beautiful scene. Some people were sitting there for most of the day!) then played at 3 different playgrounds that are all within a few minutes of each other. Now that Phineas is really getting the hang of climbing up steps and going down slides he is in love with playgrounds. So it was a perfect fit. And playing at a playground that overlooks the water is pretty perfect.
Phineas love, love, loved the playground. The one playground had a little tube/tunnel that he just kept crawling back and forth through and giggling. It was pretty enjoyable for me to get a little hug every time he came out on the end that I was at waiting for him. Then he went down slide after slide after slide. Just look at the smiles on his face. He really did love it all.
Milayla got Phineas a puzzle, Atticus got him a car and a ball, and our main gift was a harmonica (along with a new book and a little blow up pool to splash around in). The gifts were all really well picked. He uses all of them consistently and goes for his birthday items over other things in the playroom. And there were plenty of giggles of enjoyment. Phineas is a happy kid. And, seeing that I am actually writing this a couple weeks after the fact, I can also report that he has made some pretty monumental progress with that harmonica. Phineas really does breath music :).
Before dinner, the kids helped Phineas splash around in his pool and then it was time for some of Phineas' favourite foods for dinner.
Dinner was sweet potato fries, hummus, peas and salad. Phineas isn't quite at the salad stage but he does love all the other food. His transition to solid food has gone pretty smoothly. The one funny insistence is that he feed himself. You can see him watch his big siblings and us then try to emulate it in his own eating. He is so determined. It's incredible.
And the huge amount of photos just keeps going because I could not possibly narrow them down any further. We did watermelon cake for the birthday cake. Phineas got his own little personal size one. I think the pictures are pretty telling about how much he loves watermelon and blue berries. I just love the progression of the photos and seeing all the facial expressions. It's awesome.
The day finished off with a bath to take care of all that watermelon juice. And reading his new books together.
It really was a great day.
I am so grateful for Phineas and his special personality in our family. He is a fun mix of cuddly and social. He is always eager to make friends with those around him and to give smiles yet he loves his time with Mommy, Daddy, and big siblings the most. I feel like my words are so insufficient to explain just how much we love Phineas. He wakes in the morning and waves his hand as we exit his bedroom because he knows he will be showered with hugs and kisses from everyone. I am so excited to watch him learn and grow. It's be an awesome year. So blessed to have him in our family. And I am so blessed to be his mom.
Happy Birthday, Phineas. We LOVE YOU!!!
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