Party Girl

As if having a celebration on her birthday was't enough, Molly had to have an official birthday party on Saturday. Although her party wasn't remarkable in and of itself, what was rather amazing was the sheer amount of work we had to do to get our house in a state where it was (somewhat) fit to be seen. Remember when Max broke his leg? Dad had started a quick office remodel project the week before Max fractured his femur. What was intended to be a quick project turned into a rather lengthy undertaking. Since all of the books and furniture that had been in the office had been crammed into the living room and entryway, we had pretty much been living in the kitchen and family room since March. Not that we didn't usually do that anyway -- the fact that the living room and office weren't soundly babyproofed was a big reason for the remodel -- but it isn't much fun when you do it out of necessity rather than choice.

So, it was agreed that the deadline for finishing the office was the day of Molly's party. Since Mom's participation in the office project consisted of picking out and ordering the blinds (and then hating the color, returning them, and ordering another pair ... which was backordered), finding a great deal on an office desk on Craigslist (all of which didn't fit, due to a misunderstanding about the measurements), and picking out the paint color (which required Dad having to repaint it three times), this task fell mainly to Dad. Mom took over the present buying, cake agonizing, and house cleaning. The problem of the yard and landscaping, which was in less than optimal state after two years of neglect, also had to be addressed.

I'll spare you all the gory details, but lets just say that sometimes it pays to have a non-negotiable deadline. The house was clean (thanks to much help from Grandma), the cake was made, the yard was acceptable, and the office was finished ... with a few minutes to spare. I believe finishing touches were being put on the cake at 4 a.m. and books were being put back on the newly-finished shelves an hour before the party started. And, entirely to Dad's credit, the new office looks fabulous!! It'll look even spiffier when it's sporting the new computer that is soon to be purchased for Mom (to go on the section of the desk that DOES fit in the room). In addition to giving us bookshelves that are securely fastened to the wall, the room adds a row of storage cupboards (which we desperately needed). Now, each kid has their very own cupboard and their very own drawer to stash their backpacks, shoes, hats, hair bands, and all the other clutter that otherwise ends up strewn across all the flat surfaces on the main floor (yay!). Mom also finally has a work surface that isn't a folding banquet table (double yay!). Now to work on the rest of the house!

Both babies were still napping when the party guests arrived. They eventually woke up and decided to join the party. Molly had a special birthday girl dress and crown and she looked like quite the birthday princess! Unfortunately, she'd taken a tumble the day before and scraped up her nose, so she looked a little Rudolph-esque. She enjoyed getting to sample some birthday pizza for the first time and was a little more enthusiastic about the present opening this time around. As before, not only was Max eager to help open the presents, but he volunteered his services as chief toy inspector and tester. The toy that met with his special approval was his (I mean Molly's) Learning Bug. He grabbed it as soon as Dad got it out of the box and ran off in the corner to attempt to play with it undisturbed. The pull-along snail from Grandma was also much appreciated by Max (and Molly, when he lets her near it ;). Molly also got a special blanket from Grandma (Max already has one, so he didn't feel the need to steal this present).

After Molly finished opening presents (and playing with the boxes and wrapping paper), we stripped her down to her diaper and got ready for birthday cake! Molly was intrigued by the cake and loved having everyone sing to her. After practicing on her birthday cupcake, Molly seems to have figured out the whole cake demolition business. Her birthday cake was shaped like a big present and Molly had her very own little "smash cake" that looked like a little gift. When presented with her cake, she promptly dumped it off the plate, started in on the frosting, and then began to tear it apart (tasting it as she went along). She made a fantastic mess and enjoyed herself thoroughly. When she was finished, she once again had to be removed from her high chair and taken straight to the bath tub!











So, Molly has been properly "birthdayed" and our little one year old is toddling around the house and enjoying all her birthday loot (and so is her brother!). Watch out Two, here comes Molly!