Making the Ordinary Come Alive

I heard the following three lines - or something much like them - several times over the last two months:
Big party planned for Caroline's first birthday?
What's the theme of her party?
You probably have a Pinterest Board completely dedicated to her first birthday bash. (<- That person obviously didn't know me well.)

And then Cody began asking what our plans were. I was quite honest with him right out of the gate: I don't want a party, I just want to enjoy the day. 
He was all in.

Caroline spent her first birthday having bananas and milk, and a graham cracker or two. 

She checked cows with her dad and watered the garden with me.

We read books we'd not yet cracked opened from her baby shower more than a year ago.

Her cousins came over and she had help opening pretty wrapped presents. 

We swam (splashed) in the kiddie pool for just a bit before an inch of rain came over the farm. By the way - we've had 10 inches of rain in the last 12 days. 

Then the cousins left and we took a tour of the yard and barn lot in the wagon (better known as a utility cart) that we got Caroline (or, me. Think of all the buckets that bad boy can hold!) for her first birthday. 

After a solid nap, we headed to Bowman Superior Genetics to celebrate with one set of grandparents.

And Midge. 

Lots of crawling - it's faster than walking right now

 I made cupcakes for the occasion 

and made enough to send 6 home with 

Mom and Dad's help, James. 

This is probably the same tissue paper 

I used when wrapping Mom's Christmas gift. 

I get it honest. 

Who loves who more?

This wasn't a gift, but it's sure fun to ride 

when we visit Grandpa and Grammie's. 

"You're going to blow out the fire stick 

before I have to eat that, right?"

She always lets us know when it's time to head home. 

We wrapped up the day checking cows again (this time with a graham cracker in hand) and one last wagon ride for the day. 

We didn't really think this part through. 

One day we'll splurge. 

And we'll go over the top. 

And we'll invite family and friends. 

And I will spend more than $4.17 on her party food (cupcakes and icing).

And I might even have a Pinterest board of ideas and must-dos. 

But I don't know when that will be. 

Perhaps her wedding?

For now, Cody and I are spending our time exploring life's ordinary with Caroline. 

No question that - for Caroline's first birthday -

we made the ordinary come alive.