We celebrated Jack's first birthday with a gathering of Jack's friends and family at our house over the weekend. He had a pretty big turnout with 52 people showing up...so much for small! LOL. With a large family, sometimes even the "little things" turn into a big affair. Here's a shot of some of the people in the back yard. We had to hold it outside even though it was a little chilly for early May because not everyone would fit in our house. We had fruit kabobs and other little snacky items for everyone. 
Jack had a lot of his friends show up including Jackson and Emma. Jackson seemed to enjoy playing with the lawnmower and Emma...well Emma just enjoyed being outside with all the kids. I think we had about 15 kids under the age of 3 at our house!! Jack's a popular kid! What's not to like about him?!
We ended up getting a little smasher cake for Jack. He had eaten his first cupcake on his actual birthday and so was a pro when it came time to dive into his cake!
He enjoyed opening his presents from all his friends. Mom and Dad were a little overwhelmed at everyone's generosity. But Jack took it all in stride.
The most special gift of all was the wooden rocking horse that Jason made with the help of our wonderful neighbors Wally and Angie. Wally's dad used to make rocking horses for all the kids in their family, and Wally continued the tradition using his little brother's horse as a pattern. This was the last horse that Wally had pieces for and him and Jason spent weeks in the garage working secretly on it. Angie made the mane and tail for them. It will truly be a keepsake item for years to come!
All the excitement tuckered him out! Poor baby! I look at him and think about he really was a baby and fit his whole body on that pillow when he was first born. I think about how that blanket could swaddle him, how he hated sleeping on his tummy, and how many other changes have occured so quickly in this year. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy he's growing and is strong, but sad that he's not going to be a sweet baby forever. I know he has to grow and get big, but this time is so short and I can't believe how fast he's becoming a big boy!
Jack also liked stealing Lincoln's new toy car. 
When the other little boys were done, Jason took Jack over to a race car to sit in. He looked around in awe at the hair combs, scissors and blow dryers. He looked a little confused, espeically after the lady put the bib around him to catch all of his hair.
He sat all by himself while the lady started cutting his hair. Jason and I were so excited as our little guy sat all alone being such a big boy getting his hair cut for the first time.
At about the second or third snip, all hell broke loose. Jack started twisting and turning trying to get out of the chair and away from the lady. She asked me to hold him down so she could continue and what insued looks like nothing short of child abuse! I had to hold the kid's face, hold his arms and try to pin his body down so she could finish the cut! There was no way we were going to go get pictures taken with half a hair cut, so it had to be finished. 
After our wrestling match, Jack's hair turned out pretty well. We did end up with a small piece of hair to put in his book and he will look super handsome for his one year pictures...But man! What an ordeal just for a bang trim! So I ask you this...is getting the first haircut a milestone or abuse?! I'm going with abuse, but parental abuse! It took a lot of physical effort to hold the little sucker still! Next time he can go alone with his daddy and mommy will stay home and do something more relaxing...like have a margarita!
This was a busy weedend for friends visiting. My friend Mel who lives in Wisconsin and my friend Megan who lives in Philadelphia both were in town this weekend visiting family and we were lucky enough to get to meet up with both ladies.
Jack and Lily waiting to eat.
Sharing pacis is always a good time
Like the little piece of green bean on his chin?!
