Birthdayed.

Courtesy of Godfather Nat. And there is so much
going on in this pic that I simply adore to bits.

Well, I have a one year-old. Like, officially. Like, We Had The Birthday And The Party So Now It's Officially Official.

The day of the party was frigid. Seriously cold. When I woke up it was 41 degrees- and keep in mind, here in Chicago it had been 80 degrees since maybe February. (I didn't say it was normal, just that it was.) This would've been totally fine if not for the fact that we had planned a party outside, at the park. Where the main draw was gonna be letting the children frolic [and not having to mop immediately afterwards]. However, I wasn't too sure about having it at my house- because I didn't much know what ten children would do to the inside of it. Or rather, I did know. And it wasn't pretty, there in my mind's eye.

So we had it at the park. And our friends- truly fantastic as they are- showed up in their mittened glory. And you KNOW you have good friends when, as you show up five minutes late to your own Igloo Park Party (because you've just woken your eldest child from her irrationally long nap), everyone runs over to your car to unload your decorations and cupcakes and children.

Preparing to let go in 3...2...1...

And even though 75 percent of the miniature animals meant for the treasure hunt were discovered by two of our smallish guy friends (mere moments before I announced the beginning of the treasure hunt)...

And even though, once the sun started to go away, it got for real real cold...

And even though we had no less than four mammoth party guest faceplants (by the shorty set- I've stopped counting the faceplants of my close friends) including a gargantuan one by the birthday girl...ten minutes into the party...onto the concrete...because she was hugged too hard by her sister and then, you know, just let go...

...Everyone seemed to have a grand ol' time.

A man approached me to take a picture of these "for
his wife." Whatever. I actually BAKED. If you want to
have them bronzed, I will not stand in your way.

Because the cupcakes were shaped like monkeys. (Thank you, Pinterest.) And the party favor CDs of Suzy's favorite songs were ridiculously cute (if I do say so myself), and the party favor treasure hunt prizes were ridiculously cheap (and went over like whoa). And Susannah- even with her frozen hands and road-rashy face- had a blast.

Because even with all of those other negative factors, a party is a party is a birthday party.

And birthday trumps all.

I will love you forever.