We actually had Jack’s birthday party last weekend on the 18th (because of the March for Babies walk that’s scheduled on Saturday, the 25th), but I’m going to post them now on his actual birthday. We just had a really small get together with my sister and her kids, and my aunt Lynn and her kids. My dad surprised me by showing up, too, which was a pleasant surprise.

We all had a fabulous time! We grilled out burgers and hot dogs, and Captain Jack got a lot of “loot” for his first birthday! Thanks to everyone for all the cards, presents, and even the savings bonds!

Playing with a hippo from Ashley

Checking out a baseball toy from Melissa

Squeezing a giggling duck from Great Aunt Lynn

Oooh, a Winnie the Pooh phone!

He REALLY liked the balloons!

Giggling with daddy, as always!

Jack's cousin Arden trying not to smile at the camera

Jack's other cousin, Andrew

Apparently both of my nephews were incapable of smiling today. Haha. (Only when they were forced to come upstairs and part ways with the Wii!)

Jack, true to form, smiled and giggled at everyone… as long as they didn’t HOLD HIM. Haha. Hope everyone enjoyed holding him as a baby, because he ain’t having it anymore! My poor Aunt Lynn.. I think he hurt her feelings a little by not letting her hold him, but… I did try to tell her (as I do everyone) that he has stranger anxiety.

At any rate, after we ate, we all sang Happy Birthday to Jack. He wasn’t amused by it, for some reason! I was really surprised. But here for your viewing pleasure, anyway:

Then we all had cake and ice cream. And… I pulled off something pretty darn amazing, if I do say so myself. I have NEVER decorated a cake before, and I managed to create the most perfect little pirate ship for Jack based on these instructions on Parenting.com.

BEHOLD, my fabulous creation:

Homemade pirate ship for Captain Jack!

Even the cake batter was made from scratch (no cake mixes here!) Brian drew the skull and crossbones for me, but other than that.. it was allll me. Not bad for my very first attempt at decorating a cake, eh? Haha! I am a Domestic GODDESS! Bwahaha! Everyone was suitably impressed, anyway!

And none of those crappy white birthday cakes, either! This was a DARK CHOCOLATE cake! Yum, yum, yum. Jack approved, too:

Covered in chocolate cake!

Look at his face!

And… because he managed to get even MORE covered in chocolate a few minutes later, I whipped out the video camera again. Here is the result:

Isn’t that great?!

I’ve learned the ins and outs of iMovie, so instead of waiting for Brian, I will actually be able to post video of Jack on my own! Yay! I’ll create a new section for all the upcoming videos.

Happy Birthday again to my little man.

How amazing, you’re already ONE
What a precious person you’ve become!

P.S. This is only one of three birthday posts! Scroll down, because below are two additional posts, one by each of us, reflecting upon Jack’s first birthday!