The Birthday Party!

This past Saturday we officially celebrated the boys birthdays. We decided to do a small family party this year. I know neither of them will remember this particular birthday when they are older but I think they had a great time so it was a success!! Their older cousin Mallory got to come and they both LOVE her and had a great time running around with her. I think James was most excited about getting to eat cake. Since my birthday was just a few weeks ago he now fully associates the word "birthday" with cake. Even today as everyone calls to tell him "Happy Birthday" his first response is "cake?"
John-Mark wasn't so sure about all the attention when we sang happy birthday. James was right at home and clapped right along with us. We sang the song twice - once for each of them - it's bad enough they'll have to share a birthday party for the rest of their lives, the least we could do is sing a special birthday song for each of them:)
The whole present thing was overwhelming for James. John-Mark really had no clue what was going on. James would open one present and just want to play with it and I'd have to convince him to open another one - then he would just want to play with that one.
Here are some pics - hope you enjoy!

One of many, many attempts to get a family pic - as you will see John-Mark had a very serious face on most of the party - not sure what to think about everyone being there all at onceThe boys got a wooden rocking car - as you can see it was a hit!Love this pic! My mom made the boys matching birthday outfits. There was much discussion that they were a bit too girly - I think it was the light yellow fabric I chose - it was super cute for 1 year old John-Mark but I agree it was a bit young for James. About half way through the party James found his Florida gators hat and wore that the rest of the day so that helped him look more like a little boy than a baby :)John-Mark and cousin MallorySweet cousins! Mallory is such a little mamma - she is going to have her own little brother in the next week - she will be such a great big sister! The boys love her!

John-Mark with my dadThe cakes - they ended up splitting the smash cake which was plenty for each of them!Happy Birthday to you!! As you can see James is loving the singing - John-Mark not really sure what is going on

Taking it slow at first

At this point John-Mark picked up the whole plate to smash in to his face - when several people gasped he stopped and looked up as if to ask "am I not supposed to do that?"

John-Mark loving the cake between his fingers - James being the big boy shoveling it in with a fork :)We're all in now!Clean up time!John-Mark loving his new car push toy - he LOVES anything with a steering wheel! He kept this bow on his head for quite a while - too cute!James enjoying his new art supplies. He got this easel along with lots of big paper, colors, finger paints, chalk and more. We're going to have lots of fun craft times!!John-Mark showing us his new walking skills by pushing brother around in his new toy!James put on cousin Mallory's flip flops and thought it was sooo funny!

We're walking!Look at that belly - he loves to stand up and be pushed around - such a silly boy!

All the grandparents!