Oliver's First Fiesta

Sunday was Oliver's Birthday Party at the Rose Garden in Washington Park. We had a great time and the weather cooperated for us. Graham decided to make Carnitas (shredded pork tacos) so we dubbed the party a fiesta even though the only mexican thing was the food. Luckily Graham had the week off before so he had a little time to get prepared, though our time management skills on Saturday weren't put fully into effect (actually I wasn't allowed to make anything except guacamole and pico de gallo, & decorate cup cakes) Since our oven sucks, we didn't think it was wise to bake while using the stove top as the temp. would then be higher than set and all sorts of problems can arise, unfortunately that meant that the cake and cupcakes got frosted Sunday morning, along with the bean and rice being made. We forgot a small splattering of items, two being tongs to turn the meat (G also grilled chicken) and utensils to eat with (cake, beans, rice, fruit...) I had wanted to get to the site early in the morning to post ours signs and reservations but that didn't happen & I got lost on the way to the party myself! The zoo was a mess and parking was crazy by the garden but everyone finally made it to the site after a lot of time spent on cell phones(what ever did we do without them?!) The helium tank I had was empty so Oliver didn't get his lovely mylar balloons I purchased the day before and the Grandpas were put to work blowing the others up with lung power. The cake also had it's own accident, or rather a few while on my way to the site...All in all the party was fun and we had a great time but it just didn't live up to my standards on appearance. Oh well, guess there is always next year!!

 

View of the garden from our party site.

 
 

Bruce (Oliver's Godfather of Cultural Affairs), Carol & Kalie

 

 Fiesta Food! (He ate almost all of it, way to go!)

 

Before the bee sting.

Another issue that came up were the bees, attracted to the yummy food. One said be landed on Oliver's hand and I swatted it away. Then it came right back, landed on the other hand and before I could get it away, Oliver squeezed it. That's what you do to bugs and bees right? He started screaming, we got the bee out of his hand and then saw the stinger was still in his finger. It took three of us to get it out, me holding him, Dad holding his wrist and hand open & Auntie Ann pulling the stinger out. Almost instantly he stopped crying I he was handed of to Daddy so Mama could finish her lunch! We waited to see if there was a reaction but luckily he just got 2 swollen fingers and some chaotic memories for me!

 
 

The Stinger

 
 

Gift and cake table.

 

 

This book is called "Oliver Finds His Way". A gift from Chef and Chef Wife.

 
 

Animal Crackers from Nama and Poppa Rick

 
 

As most 1 year olds, he wasn't That interested in opening presents and his favorite part was throwing them on the ground or into a gift bag. He did start to get into opening the presents a little and I think it might be more fun for him at Christmas.

 
 

Getting ready for his first cupcake

 
 

Throwing the cupcake.

 
 

Poking the cupcake.

  

Tasting the cupcake

 

 

 

Riding in his new wagon from Nama & Poppa Rick with Cousin Allison.

 

This F-A-T squirrel decided to join our party, he was not afraid of people in the slightest (i am not zoomed in for this picture...)

 
 

He really wanted some of Nick's cake.