You are a whole year old already! Daddy and I can't believe how fast you have grown. We are especially impressed that you are walking longer and longer distances without tipping over. You can walk across an entire room by yourself, especially if you are going after something like your golf clubs! yesterday you bent down to pick up a ball and then stood back up with no hands for the first time! Today at Grandma Phyllis' you turned around in midstream without falling. Before we know it you'll be running and we'll never be able to catch you! You are eating mostly table food now. You love blueberries, raspberries, pears, bread and animal crackers! You get very insistent on having an animal cracker if you see the container. You also love to help Mama clean with the broom and a washcloth. Your favorite time of the day is when you can be outside, especially on a walk! You love to take in your surroundings and relax; just like Daddy!
Your birthday party th
eme was Animal Parade by Meri Meri. Grammie and I made your banner and Grammie sewed your birthday hat. We found fun things on the internet to decorate and make your party special. We had bags of peanuts, cotton candy, the popcorn machine running, candy apples, burger sliders and fruit cabobs. Mama made you a lion smash cake but you weren't really interested in "smashing" it. Daddy "helped" you dig into it but you didn't really like your hands covered in frosting. We threw 
you into a bath and then cut your Jennifer Shaffer cake. She recreated the carousel theme and copied the animals on the pattern. Mama was thrilled! It was a very warm day and threatened to rain, but held off so that you and Riley could test out your new water table! You two had a blast splashing and tearing down the tower. Mama helped you open all of your gifts; bowling pins, bath toys, puzzles, books, and an entire new wardrobe as well! We have (or Mama has) had fun putting on your new outfits since your party. As favors for coming to your party, each guest got to take home a photo magnet of you, taken by Santina.
On your actual birthday, we spent the day together celebrating our little family. We had breakfast at the Summer House Cafe. You ate pancakes and fruit while the ladies ogled over you. We then went to Lowes to buy soil and mulch to plant your plum tree that was transplanted from Grammie and Grandpa's house. Daddy dug the hole and planted it while you napped but looked at it when it was all planted. You also a had a special delivery from England from Auntie Nellie, Sidney and Uncle Matt. They sent you a boxful of goodies - jeans, a jacket, shirts and jammies from the Gap, a London toy car set, a number 1 shirt, and a stuffed English soldier; you had a great time unpacking the box. Mama spent all day baking your the first birthday cake that Grammie made for Mama on her first birthday out of the Gourmet magazine; a blueberry cake made with heavy cream. Unfortunately, you fell asleep after dinner and then we all got sick that night. After a couple of days Mama took the cake out of the fridge and you tried a couple of bites. You will be always be our little "plum" even as you grow tall and strong.