Happy 1st Birthday, Dawson!

On Friday, May 14th, Dawson had his first birthday! John and I cannot believe how quickly Dawson's first year went by. It seems so recent that we brought Dawson home from the hospital, watched as he learned to hold his head up on his own, saw him learn to roll over, witnessed him crawling for the first time, and cheered him on as he took his first steps. We have truly enjoyed every day playing with Dawson and watching him learn more and more each day. So, even though we still can't believe it, our little baby is now one, so here's how we celebrated...

On Friday (his actual birthday), John and I took Dawson to McDonalds for breakfast to have pancakes. Pancakes are, of course, his very favorite food. He ate two big pancakes while we were there. Later we took him to the UAH duck pond for a picnic and to feed the ducks. He LOVES animals, so he had a great time watching the ducks. We took some stale Cheerios to feed them, and we attracted every duck we could see! John fed the ducks while Dawson and I watched them come closer and closer, and Dawson loved it! We spent the rest of the day playing at home in the playroom and going for a walk (which Dawson also loves).

We celebrated Dawson's birthday on Saturday with a party. We decided the theme would be Dawson's First Birthday Barnyard Bash. Since Dawson loves animals so much the farm theme was perfect. Our invitations said:

Oink, Baa, Cock-a-doodle-doo;

Dawson wants to share his 1st birthday with "ewe"!

The party's on the fifteenth of May,

We'll see you at 1:00 on this special day!

Until the cows come home at 3:30 this party will last,

Because we'll be having an "udder" blast!

At 1:30 we will be serving lunch

To this rowdy barnyard bunch!

Bringing no gifts is our request,

Just wear your barnyard best!

RSVP Yeah or Neigh to Mother Hen

By May 10.

On the invitations was a picture of a barn and a few farm animals. We also stuffed hay in the envelopes like confetti. For his party we cooked hamburgers and hot dogs which we called Bessie Burgers and Bentley Dogs. We also had haystacks, chicken feed (chex mix), and farm fresh veggies (carrots and celery). Of course, we also had a farm theme cake and a smash cake which I made with a little help from my friend, Kelly. We set everything up in the backyard and had chairs and hay bales for seating. My favorite part of the party was our petting zoo! We had a petting zoo bring 2 bottle fed goats, a miniature pony, and a bunny for the kids to pet and feed. We were thrilled to have great weather since the forecast had called for rain and thunderstorms, but it ended up being hot and sunny which was perfect for everyone to be outside for most of the party. I think everyone had a great time, but I know that John, Dawson, and I had a GREAT day! We loved having all of our friends and Dawson's friends over for the afternoon. We are so thankful to have made so many good friends during the almost three years we've lived here in Alabama!

We took A LOT of pictures, and I've posted several below. Enjoy...

Above: John, Dawson, and I with the mini-pony named Snickers

at the petting zoo in our backyard.

This picture is out of order, but this was Dawson's smash cake.

Dawson enjoying his pancake birthday breakfast.



Dawson got hungry watching all the ducks

eat Cheerios, so we gave him a snack of his own!

Dawson squealing as he watched Daddy

feeding the ducks.

Dawson and I at the pond on his 1st birthday.

Dawson and I again at the pond on his birthday.

Dawson wanted to walk around the ducks.

Dawson opening a birthday gift.

Dawson and I with the smallest goat named

Squirt.

Dawson and I with Squirt again.

Dawson even got to ride the mini-pony

named Snickers.

Dawson with his Daddy looking in the petting zoo.

The bunny!

Dawson's birthday cake that I made.

It is all edible (except the hat), even the farmer and animals.

Dawson on a wagon ride with his friend, Sawyer, while

Sawyer's dad, Michael, pulled them around the yard.

Dawson's friend Sawyer wanted to help by pushing the wagon.

I thought this was so cute!

Dawson's highchair decorated and ready for him!

The small goat named Squirt was 3 months

old and just got weaned from the bottle

so she would come up and suck on your fingers.

Dawson LOVED her!

This was the big goat named Gracie. You can barely see her

tummy here, but she's pregnant.

The mini-pony named Snickers.

Dawson's friend, Sawyer, decided to pull the wagon

for Dawson. :)

The "Chicken Feed"

The Home Grown Veggies

The hay stacks.

The Burger and Hot Dogs

Dawson's cake with his one little candle burning ready

for him to blow out!

We took Dawson's shirt off and he wore a bandanna for a bib

while he ate his smash cake!

Dawson with his smash cake. At first he touched the cake

wasn't interested in getting his hands dirty.

Still not sure he wants to get his hands dirty.

But THEN he tried a bite, and realized it was worth getting his

hands dirty. He was more interested in eating it than smashing it.

More eating.

Look at that mess!

More smash cake!

We eventuall had to take it away from him, because

I think he would have eaten the whole thing, and he's never

really had very much sugar at all. He did enjoy it though!

John had the grill outside our fence so the kids wouldn't

touch it. So some of the guys congregated at the grill.

Inside the petting zoo in the backyard.

John with Snickers, the mini-pony.

Dawson riding the mini-pony, Snickers, and

petting his mane.