Dear Lily, you are one.

Party set up

delicious fruit platter with homemade flags

kettle corn for party guests

Chocolate cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese buttercream

more of the spread

photo wall of Lily's twelve months of life

rocking horse from Uncle Ryan

practicing knocking

the rejected cupcake

birthday outfit

dancing queen

one of our favourite guests, cousin Hank

one of our other fav's, our friend Celia.

My dearest Lily, on January 20th, 2012 you turned one. It has been an incredible year and it just keeps getting better. We celebrated your year with a big birthday bash at your uncle Ryan's house (thanks uncle Ryan!). About 30 of our family and friends came, here is the list: Sandra, Amber, Lorna, Gloria, Marie, Amber, Nya, Skye, Jason, Presley, Caitlin, Henry, Mollie, Logan, Celia, Allie, Shona, William, Colleen, Jim, David, Jules, Gavin, Alejandra, Wendy, Tessa, Nana, Papa, Gramma, Ryan, Mama and Dada. It was a lovely party decorated with lots of homemade crafts and delicious food and treats. Mama made Martha Stewarts tissue paper pom-poms, homemade pennant flags, cupcake flags, and a little "1" onesie for you! For the food we made hummus and pita, veggies, fruit, olives and cheese, assorted candy treats, vanilla vanilla cupcakes and chocolate raspberry cupcakes. You loved the party and spent the two hours dancing around and greeting everyone, not stopping to sit down once. Nearing the end of the party we all sang "Happy Birthday" while you looked on curiously and we offered you a vanilla cupcake, you opted for a bit of breastmilk instead. Overall it was the perfect party to top off the perfect year. You are such an incredible little girl and I am so proud to be your mom. In case you were wondering what you were up to at the time you turned one, here's a recap of all of your incredible accomplishments. You have been walking for over two months and you are so steady on your feet, you walk, run and dance! You can say tons of words and are incredible at communicating what you want, you can say: duck, light, eyes, all done, hot, peek-a-boo, mama, dada, nana, papa, hi, banana, what's that, what's this, night-night. You can sign baby and all done, you can make the sound for peeing on the potty, you can make kissing noises and blow kisses and horse noises. You are so happy and good natured, you laugh and smile all the time. You love music and dancing and playing instruments. You love to read books and play with blocks, most of all you love to play with wooden spoons, pots and pans, the dishwasher and the spice cupboard. You are so curious and smart. I love you so much. Thank you for coming into my life it has never been so enriched.