The Big Party!!!

Today was James' First Birthday Party (his actual birthday is tomorrow - Monday). We had the party at a park with a car theme and so it was CARS all the way. Including a VERY cool (if we do say so ourselves ...) birthday cake creation from Grandma and Mummy!!! We had a really good afternoon and James seemed to have fun. Thank you to everyone who came and sorry that those of you who couldn't weren't there - we missed you!

Looks like someone enjoyed the cake ...

Grandma and Grandad with the Birthday Boy!

Mummy and the Birthday Boy!
[You can see his California Driver's Licence around his neck - all the children got one!]

Opening presents ... James thought the pony that Tom and Jan got him was really cuddly!

A little monkey eating his banana ...

Most morning James and I share a banana after his nap. I decided to take a photo the other day as he was wearing his cheeky monkey outfit (from Great-Auntie Pam and Uncle John!) and was looking particularly cheeky!! [I had to hold the banana because when I gave it to him he tried to shove the whole lot in his mouth - skin and all!]

We usually sit on the step for our morning snack - I think he looks really sweet sitting there.

I think "somebody" took more banana than could fit in their mouth ...

Gratuitous Smiley Close-Up

You know how much I love these ...

We got some balloons for James' upcoming first birthday party the other day and so I practiced blowing them up. I'm not very good but James thought they were really, really funny and couldn't stop giggling for ages. ;0)

He thought they were REALLY funny.

In fact he laughed so hard he toppled over Teddy Robinson style !!! (for those not familiar with the BRILLIANT Teddy Robinson books - he was a teddy bear who had a tea party for all his toy friends. He started to show off in front of the dolls and ended up laughing so hard that he toppled over and fell off his chair!)

Cheerful Chunky Chalk Challenge!

Today James and I decided to do some chunky chalk drawing on the patio outside. James seemed to quite enjoy it (once he got over tasting the chalk ... ) although you had to press quite hard so he mostly tapped it until it broke. It was fun though.

Some of our artwork - that funny blob in the right hand corner is James' foot ... I couldn't get him to keep his hand still enough to trace around that!!! I love his squatting position - concrete is a bit hard on the knees you know!

Future street artist at work!

By the time we finished he had a very chalky bum!!! I didn't take a photo of MY chalky bum you'll be relieved to hear ... ;0)

Daddy often plays around with James by putting cups and things on his nose like this. James thinks it's hilarious but he doesn't normally do that with me. Today he suddenly picked up this cup and walked around like this for a while - just as crazy at Daddy!!!

It's a Boy Bag ...

When Aunty Caroline was here we gave her a housewarming present in this gift bag ... the thing is James became very attached to the gift bag and is always carrying it around with him at the moment ... much to Dan's chagrin ... so Aunty Caroline wrote "James' Boy Bag" on it to make everyone feel happier!!!! ;0)

San Francisco Zoo Night Tour

The Joel family are members of the San Francisco Zoo and so they got sent information about a night tour and asked if we wanted to go too. We went last night and although it was crazy busy it was a totally different experience than going during the day! Aunty Caroline went home on Thursday but Uncle Adrian is out here for work for another week and so he came with us too. It was fun to do something different. (My sweatshirt glows in the dark!!)

The Joel family before it got dark (although Kelli has her torch/flashlight just in case!)

James and Dan by the polar bears. We didn't realise at this point that it would be the polar bears we would see on the "night quarters" tour.

James and Kelli were both very patient with all the waiting around we had to do. Here they are giggling at Don who was keeping them amused by pulling silly faces!

Our special wrist bands allowed us to go to the "night quarters" to see certain animals being fed. It was pretty cool although it was so busy that the ques/lines were pretty long. This was us waiting in line to see the bear night quarters and deciding what to do next!

This was the polar bear. It looks like he was in a tiny cage but actually this went out into the open enclosure and he just came in this part to get his grub. It was cool to see a polar bear so close up.

At one point the polar bear stood up and he did look MASSIVE - really got a sense of how big and powerful they are. James was mezmorised by him.

Another animal being fed at the zoo ...

We went into the giraffe house and so James had to get up on Daddy's shoulders so that he was on a level with all those tall giraffes! He said hi to them from Aunty Caroline (who does a mean giraffe impression!)

Uncle Adrian, James and Dad inside the big cat house. It was VERY busy in there but we got to see (and hear!) some tigers and lions.

Our crazy little toddler couldn't wait to toddle off and say hi to all the other children ... As soon as we put him down he was off!! He kept going up to other babys and toddlers in pushchairs and gave them great big smiles and excited squeals!

In the end I had to hold him by both hands so that I didn't lose him in the crowd!!

At the park with Aunty Caroline

Sadly Aunty Caroline left yesterday (it was definitely a flying visit!). In between our shopping trips we also got to go to the park several times, Ardenwood Farm, Discovery Kingdom, and the Jelly Belly Factory. Here are just a few photos. We miss you, Aunty Caroline!!

James just loves Scary Barney ...

Mad Aunty Caroline under the picnic blanket ...

James thinks Aunty Caroline is very funny!

Another trip to the park ...

James swinging ... Aunty Caroline swinging ... Uncle Adrian sliding ...

At the local park!

Having fun on the slide!

Awwwww ... sweet pictures of Aunty Caroline and Uncle Adrian.

Last night at Cattlemen's

On Aunty Caroline's last night we went to Cattlemen's - a restaurant with a cowboy theme. It was only fitting that James should wear his cowboy hat!

"This town ain't big enough for the both of us ..."

James wearing his cowboy hat (he was saving this for when Grandad comes to stay but I suppose we'll let Grandad have a preview of it) ... He always pulls it off right away and so Mum had to hold it in place for this photo.

Sadly for us, but perhaps thankfully for Uncle Adrian the photo of Uncle Adrian wearing the cowboy hat didn't come out too well!!! It was very funny though. You can see James' sheriff sticker that he got in the restaurant.

James got to open another birthday present early. Crafty Aunty Caroline made this canvas artwork to go on his bedroom wall - it's so cool and a very unique present. He also got some books and some funky new clothes. Thank you, Aunty Caroline and Uncle Adrian!!!!

Aunty Caroline reading James one of the books they gave him for his birthday. It looks like Uncle Adrian enjoys a good bedtime story too ...

Ardenwood Farm ... as promised, Aunty Caroline!!!

On Aunty Caroline's last morning we went to Ardenwood Historic Farm (... once we'd found it that is ... I promise a farm, I deliver a farm!!!!!!;0) ) James liked looking at the animals and I think he even said "Moooooo" to a cow.

I love these two photos of James with Aunty Caroline.

We came across this sign ... "Dump Manure Here" ... we weren't sure if this meant we should leave James' nappys/diapers here ... I love James' face expression in this one! ;0)

Outside the old house in the middle of the park.