"The Cake"

I had to dedicate a special post just to the cake.

We decided on a rubber duck theme a few months ago, after she really started "taking" to them--granted, she plays with them in swim class every week, in the tub, and there are a few around the house, but she just loves them. IN fact, "ack" was one of her first prominent sounds/ words, and she loves almost anything duck you put near her--so this was a no-brainer.

So, we debated on a professional cake-baker, vs. us doing the cake, and whether to draw on the cake, or cut the cake out, or use a 3-D cakepan, and finally decided on this design. She has a very similar ceramic duck outside, so we knew she'd be familiar with it, and hopefully like it.

We did a trial run a few weeks ago and were really happy with how it came out...still, a lot of pressure to make your little girl's 1st cake, but Eric was determined. I was in charge of the foundation cake (pink--the easy part) and structurally supporting the duck, etc. Eric was in charge of decorating the duck, beak, eyes, etc. (hard part)

We made the cakes Thursday and Friday (would you believe the duck takes 2 mixes, plus another for the pink layers?), leaving the cakes to rest, and icing to commence on Friday (party-eve). Between the trip to the zoo, getting the house ready, wrapping presents, etc. we didn't even start until after 9 o'clock. Eric's poor hand was cramping from all the duck star-tips it uses to create the rough look, and we finally wrapped up after 1 am. I even video taped him in true time-lapse fashion, to verify for posterity that we did the cake and how long it took!

Without further ado, here is the before (Eric making stars on the duck), during (finished product, ready for demolition), and after, Unclue Matt, serving up duck slices at the party.

Great job dad!

Birthday cupcake and one present...

Even though the party was the day after her birthday (which just gave us an excuse to celebrate for another day), we wanted to have a mini-celebration on her actual birthday...so we settled on one present and a cupcake (after dinner of course).

She had a chocolate cupcake (wasn't sure about the icing) and then opened...her babydoll! Funny enough, grandma and grandpa Jahn stopped by too, with a present...a babydoll! She played with both of them exactly about 2 minutes, but what can you expect with a room full of toys in front of you.

I also particularly like these pics because she is still wearing her birthday memento from the zoo trip, her pink monkey/trucker hat from dad. Classic. Many, many more to come from the party I'm sure!

Birthday afternoon/ 1st trip to the zoo (as members!)

As much as Amara likes her dog, and just about any other dog for that matter--and most animals she sees...we thought, what better day to explore the zoo than her birthday!

We headed up in search of giraffes and zebras (NEITHER OF WHICH THE COLUMBUS ZOO HAS ANYMORE) but settled for bears, wolves, birds, and elephants. It was a lot of fun, and with the membership we got, we hope to be back a lot!

I'm not sure how we discovered it, but we all like soft pretzels too...so it was a fun treat to share one, watch the ducks and the fountains and rest a moment before heading home. The zoo is a big place! We're already planning our next trip back to see more animals, maybe the baby elephant and flamingos? who knows...

My Birthday morning!

Amara wakes up SOOOOOO happy, we thought we'd take the opportunity to get some pics of her on her very special birthday. Not many folks ever get to see her wake up in the morning, and we just enjoy it so much--so, here is the little girl on Friday morning, her 1st birthday, just as dad went in to get her.

I think if you look really closely, you can count all 8 teeth--and she can use them!

Dad, Amara, and Grandma Jahn got to spend the morning together getting ready for the party on Saturday, so her excitement just built throughout the day.

Nice weather!

Not sure whether it was how much we were all out and about last summer, or whether it's "in the blood" as Eric says, but Amara LOVES to be outside. In fact, a door no more than opens (LITERALLY) that she makes a B-LINE for it. Grandma says the same thing about time spent at her house--so it's no surprise that we're spending most of the waking hours outside (as weather permits). I'm so glad she likes it outside!

We almost always have a hat on her (which, luckily she doesn't fight too much) and this is one of her favorite "rattle" toys--as you can see, she is always drawn to dad's fountain on the back porch as well--lots to keep her entertained!

Girls and tractors

Not that this is the first tractor, nor will it be the last tractor by far...but Amara has taken quite the shine to this tractor (regardless). Dad put the sweet little girl in a nice spring dress, and what do you think she did? Plopped on the floor with the tractor. 'Atta girl :)

Ironically, this week (planting season) Amara got her first John Deere ride with Grandpa on the BIG tractor. He said she was interested in what was going on all around her, etc. and really enjoyed herself (no doubt).