Happy 1st Birthday, Elodie!

A year ago, we were blessed with a tiny little perfect baby girl. She has been enriching our lives ever since! It has truly been an incredible year. Happy 1st Birthday, our sweet little peanut! It's been the best year of our lives!

A special day, for a special girl. Here's a glimpse of Elodie's day....

My mom and I spent all day Friday baking cupcakes in my tiny Japanese oven. So of course we let Elodie try one, even though it wasn't quite her birthday yet. She had a strawberry flavored one, and loved it!

A pre-birthday cupcake.

She woke up on her actual birthday to this awesome indoor jungle-gym that we bought her.

Happy birthday from Mom & Dad!

For breakfast she had a Cinnabon muffin, and it was gone in seconds! I think we have a sweets-lover on our hands... which shouldn't be surprising considering who her Mom and Dad are. ;)

Cinnabon muffin.

After breakfast, Joe took Elodie to swimming class while my mom and I decorated for the big Hello Kitty birthday party. I was fortunate to find Hello Kitty table cloths, plates, cups, napkins, cupcake stands, etc. all in the U.S. So everything matched perfectly and it was super cute.

I put together a collage of photos in the shape of a 1, as well as a timeline of monthly photos from Elodie's first year. My friend Anna came over to help make the hanging flower pompoms. Everything turned out perfect.

For food we had 3 flavors of cupcakes, Hello Kitty decorated sugar cookies, and an ice cream sundae bar. Lots of sugar!

The decor!

Timeline of monthly pictures.

Smash cake for the birthday girl!

Family photo before the party.

Elodie telling you she's ONE!

The party was a huge success! We are so grateful that so many friends came to celebrate with us (and that Grandma flew all the way from Michigan to be here for it!).

Awesome friends.

Elodie's swimming buddies.

Of course the highlight of the party was of Elodie eating her cake!

Make a wish!

hmmm not sure what I think about this cake stuff...

It's pretty good stuff after-all! I think I'll have some more!

Don't forget, I'm ONE!

YUMM!

And into the hair it goes.

Do you want a piece? It's really good!

Sure, we'll have a piece with you Elodie!

After the cake, we took her right in the shower room and hosed her down! She was clean in no time. ;)  After the party, it was time for presents!! She received so many wonderful gifts.

Birthday girl wearing her tiara :)

YAY! Leap frog computer!

Cuddly puppy.

Cute pink polka-dot jacket.

Playing in her new ball pit the following morning.

Living abroad and so far away from family during important life milestones is difficult and sad at times, so it was really nice to have an awesome group of friends who understand to be a part of Elodie's special day.

We are truly grateful to ALL of you who made her day so special... both near and far. It was a fantastic day! Thank you to everyone!

I posted an album on shutterfly of all the photos from her birthday. Click here to view it. Password is the same (eidole).