Oliver's first birthday party

On Saturday Oliver had his very first birthday party. He decided he would actually have an afternoon nap so was asleep when the first people arrived but he soon woke up and joined in the fun. He got lots more presents including his very own wine glass from Aunty Jennifer and Uncle Matt (they know Oliver's parents too well!!) and a battery-powered car from Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sandy. You'll see in the pictures and video how much he enjoys riding in that! We took him out in it yesterday afternoon and he wouldn't stop giggling :) His first step to becoming the next Lewis Hamilton (British Formula 1 driver for those that don't know!).

Oliver met a new friend who is just about a month older than him called McKenzie. She is the daughter of Brenda and Karl (I used to work with Brenda at Cargill). They seemed to get along great and McKenzie even pushed Oliver around in his car which was very sweet to watch.

Other new things were the very first proper birthday cake and ice cream!! The cake went down very well as we guessed it would after the cupcake on Wednesday! Grandpa brought the ice cream over and it was fun to watch Oliver try that. He really didn't seem sure with the first couple of mouthfuls but he must have realised it tasted good as he kept going! All in all an exhausting day full of fun!!

Oliver's first photos went great on Thursday. He was in the best mood and posed for the camera like a true pro. We found it hard to pick out just a few we liked.

Sadly all first birthdays come with the 1 year docs check and vaccinations and that's what we have to look forward to today :( Let's hope he handles it well like he's done every other time!

In one of my England football kits from Niki and Ellis. He also got one from Funny Michael which is a bit bigger and has a red shirt.

Trying out my car with Grandpa

McKenzie giving her new friend a push while Mikayla looks on in amazement!!

Oliver after eating some birthday cake. He is looking at McKenzie in his usual charming way :)

Note how the lady is much cleaner than the man :)

What are you doing to me Grandpa??!!!

Oliver's first wine glass - and some apple juice to go in it!!

About as artistic as I get - hanging a birthday banner above the fireplace!

Mummy pushing me in my car. I am able to move the car myself though by pressing a button on the steering wheel - thank goodness for parent controlled steering to take over :)

Another messy cake experience!!

First Birthday Fun!!!

Wow, what a fun day we have had celebrating Oliver's special first birthday. Oliver decided he was going to wake up at 4:30am - I like to think because he was recalling what was going on a year ago today at that sort of time but he was, in fact, wanting milk!! Luckily he went back to sleep so we all got some more needed shut-eye.

The day began properly at 7am. Jon and I went to get Oliver up and sang happy birthday to him. We had put all his presents in the playroom last night so he saw them all there when we went downstairs. Then he got very excited because we got him a first birthday balloon and tied it to his highchair! Balloons are pretty much his favourite thing at the moment. Nanna Pan was on the webcam with us at the end of breakfast to wish Oliver a happy birthday from England.

After the usual Scoop walk we opened some presents with Oliver. He wasn't so interested in actually opening them but once they were opened that was different!! I think he was quite overwhelmed by all the new things he had but loved each and every one of them. 

We got about halfway through the present opening when it was nearing nap time and we decided to set out on our day trip so Oliver could sleep in the car. For the first time he got to sit in his car seat facing forward and he seemed to really like that!! He duly fell asleep and was still out for the count when we reached Como Zoo. Ah well, we had to wake him up and then he had his first taste of cow's milk (mixed with formula). 

The zoo was great fun. It is a free zoo athough they do ask for a donation ($2 for adults and $1 for kids). It's a real bargain for what you get there. It's not just a zoo - there's a conservatory, lots of rides and a big park. Oliver loved looking at the animals and was particularly excited by the zebras and giraffes!! We also watched Sparky the Sealion do his show which was a lot of fun but VERY hot! All in all we managed almost 2 hours at the zoo before all of us were a little too hot and decided to get some aircon in the car and find somewhere to eat. We ended up going for pizza then coming back home to continue the present opening. After that, Oliver had his first taste of cake (see video below!). He seemed to really enjoy that which is good because he'll have a proper birthday cake on Saturday!!

By 6pm Oliver was a very tired young man and was ready for bath and bed. He had his milk in his room as usual but this time he had his new furniture to look at from mummy and daddy. He particularly likes the lamp we bought which has cars and lorries on the shade.

All in all, Oliver has had a fantastic day and was very lucky to get all the lovely gifts. We don't know where the past year has gone but it's amazing to see how Oliver has changed and grown up. Here's to lots more exciting birthdays!! Mummy and Daddy are about ready to crash! And here are lots of photos and vids for you all :)

A piccie actually taken on Sunday when we went to watch Uncle Matt march in South St Paul

Checking out my first birthday balloon

Clapping my hands from sheer delight!!

Loving my new beanbag - but how do I get off??!!

The Hug and Learn Globe from the Curry family got Oliver pondering.....

Sesame Street wind-up bath toy from Jordy

Loving my Thomas the Tank from the Currys

I think I'll park Thomas in my new bookcase (from Mummy and Daddy)

Opening the baby walker from Nanna Pan (see video later!)

Sitting facing forward for the very first time!

The entrance to Como Zoo

Checking out the orangutans with Daddy (and keeping my sunglasses and hat on!)

OK, so I'm really not sure about this......

Wow - what's this stuff??!! Having fun investigating Duplo from Mummy's Aunty Margaret and Uncle John

Checking out my Alphabet Train with a tired looking Daddy

Having fun splashing in my water table from Aunty Niki and Ellis

A very tired Oliver at the end of a hard day's partying!

First steps (sort of!!)

Yesterday I turned my back for a few seconds and when I turned around Oliver was pushing his highchair around the kitchen walking behind it!! This was the first time he had taken steps of any sort so it was pretty exciting. I got a couple of videos of it!! Oliver has also learned how to clap and wave and likes to do it at any opportunity!

I got a car last Saturday so it's been great to be able to get out during the day. I need to take some pics of it for the blog.

We are counting down to the big first birthday which is on Wednesday. The presents are starting to come in so we will have great fun opening them with Oliver. Jon has the day off so we can spend the day together as a family. The day after I am taking Oliver for his first professional photo session so we'll see if he can keep still for it!

What's this smelly old foot doing here??!!

This is the biggest drink of water I've ever seen....


A couple of pictures of our gorgeous boy trying to grab the camera!

Hmmm - this looks like an educational film....

....maybe I'm not supposed to empty the DVD shelf though....

Bunker Beach and BBQ

Last Wednesday Oliver and I went to Bunker Beach to meet some other mums and kiddies. It's a great place with a wave pool, kiddie pool and slides. Oliver loved being in the water and it was great to get out and meet some other people.

On Thursday I finally passed my driving test - yey!! Grandpa looked after Oliver while I was driving and then we went for lunch. Oliver was given a balloon which he then had to take everywhere with him for the rest of the day (see video!).

On Saturday we went to Grandpa and Grandma Sandy's house for a family BBQ. Sandy's son brought his jetskis over so we could ride them on the river. I wasn't too keen but I was brave and went for a ride on the back of Ray's ski (Jon was driving way too fast for my liking!!). Anyway, I squealed and shut my eyes and was pretty glad to get off. At least I can say I did it, right??!!! Sandy's daughter and family came over too and we got some cute pics of Oliver and Isabelle (hope I spelt that right!) who is two months younger than Oliver.

Other than that, not too much to report here. Just need to get me a car now!!

Investigating the TV

Ha ha Mummy - I got the remote!!!

Caught red-handed in the cupboard



Hanging out in the grass with Isabelle

Having lunch at Bunker Beach

Me and my balloon