I put up some decorations (which I was asked to leave up for the State of Origin match).

This is his sweet little face when he spied the cake coming out:

His lovely Gran made the cake. Yes, it is the Number 1 cake from the Woman’s Weekly birthday cake book. It was chocolate cake with an awesome bright blue/aqua icing, smarties and sprinkles. We are still eating it for dessert every night. (Thanks Gran!)

I should mention that we have been very intentional in teaching the Widg to eat neatly. He isn’t allowed to touch food with his own hands, unless we put it in his hands for him. Sounds very strict, I know, but otherwise he would stick his hands in his mouth with every mouthful, and then smear them all over anything within arms reach. We do, of course, let him eat certain less-messy foods with his own hands, so that he develops good dexterity. Don’t worry, the boy has mad fine motor skills.

So this is him, being very cautious when we gave him some birthday cake. It took him a while to believe us when we said it was ok for him to pick it up and eat it himself. He enjoyed himself quite thoroughly, and dropped only a few crumbs on the floor. Brilliant child.

One of the Widg’s favourite toys at the moment is a balloon on a stick that Grandma and Pop scored for him when out shopping one day. So you can imagine his joy when presented with a room full of balloons.

Yes, this is him rubbing his face on a balloon. Crazy kid.

Finally it was time to open all of his wonderful presents. Although he normally loves to rip paper (catalogues, napkins, tissues, mama’s fancy magazines), he had a touch of stage fright in front of all of his family, so we gave him some help with the wrapping paper.

He was very excited about the big green ball (he has been chasing it around the kitchen ever since).

He needed a little help learning how the trumpet worked. He kept trying to eat it. We’re still working on that one.

The tambourine, however, was a no brainer. Anything that makes noise is a hit.

He also got a great activity table (it’s been helping him learn to pull up to stand), a walker trolley, a very cool horse-on-a-stick (you know those old fashioned ones that you ride like a broomstick?), a tiny little basketball hoop (thanks Uncle Boo and Aunty Nat – he’s getting quite good!), some awesome stacking blocks (they are actually the same ones that Gran bought for her boys many moons ago), a lovely little outfit, and the most awesome Noah’s Ark toy set in the world (it’s so cute: he pulls each animal out, holds it up to show me, then when he gets to the little Noah, he just chews on him).

We had lots of yummy food (sausage rolls, party pies, lollies and chips), and the coolest cookies ever. Our lovely friend B made them and sent them to us in time for the big day. They are gingerbread, and yes, the photo is done in icing and is edible. It’s weird eating your son’s face, but very tasty. I’ll do another post about them soon, I promise.

All in all it was a lovely day, and we know each birthday is going to be better and better as the Widg becomes more aware of what’s going on, and is able to really get into it.

Well, this photo was taken last week. Yep. They’re still up. They’re a bit rain soaked, the colour is running and fading, and they’ve become home to various spiders and bugs. But I haven’t had the time or the inclination to take them down yet. They still look kind of cool at night with the fairy lights on. And the Widg loves to stare at the giant “balls” blowing in the breeze.

We did a Christmas tapas on Christmas Day, then a Greek-inspired lamb, flat breads and dips on Boxing Day, and then left-overs for the 2 days after that.

Friends and family came from far and wide (Armidale, Goonellabah, Melbourne, Canberra, Blacktown and Blaxland). The dogs even payed a visit.

And of course, the Widg thoroughly enjoyed his first Christmas.

Overall, a jolly yuletide fest!

It was a lovely weekend – and The BOx worked a treat.

to mow the lawn

to make a garden

to have a dog

So when we bought our abode in Warrimoo there was some lawn to be mowed, a garden to be tended, and definitely the yard for a dog to run wild and free. However the house on stilts didn’t offer us much protection in keeping said dog inside purchased land.

So we reveled in other people’s dogs – namely our parents. In January my parents bought this gorgeous little puppy Shaogo – who ran amock on our deck and generally caused a bucket full of mischief. The little slideshow is some pics of her looking sickeningly cute. (By the way if you hadn’t noticed – I have fallen in love with this google slideshow – damn you google and your irresistible goodies)