Karina's Parents' First Birthday Party

Thanks to Minne for making a special appearance from Athens!!! (If you look closely, you can see the "chunnel" in the background.)

Since everyone knows first birthday parties are for babies, I just want to say thank you, on behalf of Karina, for sharing in her special day. In her case youth is not wasted on the young -- she enjoyed every single second. Chasing bubbles* one second, then crawling through the "chunnel"** the next, and generally fighting through her no-nap afternoon consumed all of her energy. Though she did get her second wind from her own personal cake (don't we all deserve our own?). After the peels of laughter erupted (my Italian family is loud) I actually had to cut her off from her french vanilla high. Apparently she looked tipsy, dancing around with the obligatory "I'm one!" hat cocked to the side and icing through her hair. Then she attempted to take her two year old boyfriend, Nikhil's Mickey Mouse shirt*** off. That is where I drew the line.

So yes, I did have the one year old party of my dreams. I have sort of the same feeling now as I did after my wedding. Literally, after all the kids left, we just sat and stared at one another, too tired to move. Too bad we can't relax with a honeymoon in Europe.

*Bubble machines are awesome. "I wish I could enjoy anything the way my kid enjoys bubbles."

**The second must have for a toddler party.

***I don't think she really wanted to see Nikhil strip. The theme of the party was Minnie. So when Karina sees anything Minnie/Mickey she simply must have it.