Chunky Monkey!

Today is Rachel's birthday, and I find it hard to believe she is already one. I have obviously been in denial, because yesterday she took a couple of steps and I said to her "Wow, you're getting to be such a big girl! I can't believe you are going to be one . . . tomorrow!" Yes, it's true, I did not plan a thing for her birthday until yesterday. Fortunately, I had picked up a few gifts a couple of weeks ago, and, other than my dad who has Bishopric meeting every Tuesday, all the grandparents were able to come to a last-minute dinner where we celebrated the right-of-passage where my sweet baby turns into another little monkey. It was truly a fitting celebration, too, because as I was making dinner, I put Rachel in her high chair and within about thirty seconds she had wriggled her way out of the buckle, stood up, and had one foot up on her tray in an attempt to escape.
Fortunately, Sarah was sitting on a bar stool looking right at her. She laughed and pointed toward the high chair, and said, "look at funny Rachel." I ran right over to her and took her out of the chair before she got hurt, and was very grateful that we didn't have to spend her birthday in the emergency room.
Here are some pictures of the party--please keep in mind that this was a very last-ditch effort!



This may be the only picture we took of her eating her "first" cupcake, but in reality, I think her sneaky sister gave her one at breakfast and another at lunch, so she was totally aware of the protocol by the time she got this one.

Here is a picture of the table--we didn't do much with the theme as far as food goes, except that we had banana splits for dessert made with Ben & Jerry's "Chunky Monkey" Ice Cream. I hadn't ever had it before (because I'm not a big walnut fan) but I really liked it. It reminded me of a banana creamy with a spoon!

The "monkey cupcakes" that inspired the theme. Greg bought some mini Nilla-Wafers the other day, and I thought perhaps I could use them to my advantage.


Do you think she realized this day was all about her?