Meredith's birthday

We have gotten our pictures from the photographer we hired to capture Meredith's party so now I get to tell you all about it. We hired Suzanna Finley (www.suzannafinley.com) and we really wanted her to capture the party & the fact that it was Meredith's day. And I think she really did that. We fully expected that everyone would fawn over Sean, but even he cooperated. He slept through most of the party.

The day started off quite nicely. Meredith & I started to make the shrimp in clam sauce. First she helped me peel the garlic. Then she watched as I sliced it. She poured the olive oil into the pot, helped me open the chopped clams and then put the garlic into the pot.

She even helped to stir in all the spices and then helped me to keep an eye on the pot to make sure it didn't boil over.





























We got dressed and she looked so cute in her butterfly dress. I put her hair in pig tails and watched as she spun around in circles to feel her hair & her dress flow in the "breeze".



While Sean was in his crib watching his mobile, Meredith wanted to "play" too. SO she climbed up on the side of the crib to grab at the mobile. I always find it amazing that Meredith got really bored with her toys quickly when she was younger and now she loves those same toys.



Then it was off to the party. All Meredith could think about was the party. That's all she kept saying. "Party. Party. Party." And I'd ask who she was going to see there. And she would rattle off the list of folks. Some folks didn't make it and they were missed.

We all had a great time. We ordered a 4 foot hero and I made trays of hot dogs & kraut. It was just like a dirty water dog without the dirty gym sock. And of course I made shrimp with clam sauce. I ordered linguini.

Meredith had a great time. We had a table with crafts & coloring for the kids and apparently the adults too. Our family & friends (who really are like family) joined us.

Suzanna fit in so nicely. She really blended in & didn't make anyone feel as though she was a "photographer". And having her there really allowed us to enjoy our party & really celebrate Meredith's birthday.




































































































































































On Meredith's actual birthday we spent the day together until daddy got home. Meredith opened her cards when she woke up and was very pleasantly surprised to find that Sean had gotten her a card with stickers. I can't believe he already knows that she likes stickers. 



Then we went out for breakfast. 








Sean slept through breakfast. Hey..... it's tough work being cute. 

On the way back home, Meredith discovered her shadow. I explained to her that it did whatever she did. And so she tested it out. 




We went to story time. Tatiana sang happy birthday to Meredith. 



Sean slept through that too. 

After story time it was nap time. 

For dinner we took Meredith to perkins for character night. How great is it that Dora's biggest fan got to meet her on her birthday? Meredith's eyes lit up at the very first sight of her. And how exciting for Meredith that there weren't many kids there to meet Dora. So Dora sat with Meredith almost the whole time we were there. We got to have some brownie & ice cream sundae after we ate and then came home.