Play with Pumpkins

The fall chill really hit us this morning! I had to turn on the heat inside the house and Ridley got to wear her "Happy Halloween" long sleeve shirt (she got this for her birthday from the Skinner Family!). We had plans to go to the pumpkin patch in the afternoon. But before lunch, Ridley was ready to get outside and feel the chill.

The whole family was playing in the living room when Ridley got up, walked over to me and grabbed my hand. She walked me over to Phil and with her other hand grabbed his hand. She then led us both to the back door and pointed outside! It was adorable. We went outside and played in the backyard as Kacy and Sadie continued their attempts to catch another squirrel (yes ANOTHER squirrel--they're working on number 4).

When we got to the pumpkin patch this afternoon, Ridley had a ball. She picked out a few mini pumpkins, played with the big blow up scarecrow and rode around in the wagon.

Happy Halloween!

Teaching the Teacher

While playing with all our new toys from the birthday party (thanks everyone!) Ridley showed me that she's paying attention to me. We were singing "patty cake" and Ridley grabbed my hands and showed me how to patty cake (as I had done for her a few times)! Since I laughed so much about this, it's become her new favorite activity. She'll smile and laugh and grab my hands making me do another round of "patty cake."
One of her new books about Curious George visiting the zoo is filled with "touch me" textures (a a patch of a penguin's wing that is actual fur, a section of a rhino that is actual leather, etc). While reading it, we landed on the page with the giraffe. Ridley was missing the soft fur of the giraffe, so I took her hand and showed her. From then on, (and we have read this book a zillion times just yesterday) every time we get the the giraffe page, Ridley takes my hand and shows me the soft texture of the giraffe.
Amazing. This kid is amazing, right?

Sugar and Spice

Ridley's first birthday was great! We held it at Hugh McRae Park here in Wilmington and the weather was great (a little windy, but otherwise perfect). Aunt Tammi came over to the house early to help entertain and watch Ridley while Phil and I set up for the party. I had spent a lot of time prior to Saturday prepping for the day and Phil took care of packing everything up and taking it over to the picnic shelter. Unfortunately, the banner that I had made was all tangled when Phil went to hang it up. Poor man spent over an hour trying to detangle it! He ended up having to cut it up and retape it! But it turned out great. Just a little snag.
Then Grandma Pam and Aunt Taylor came to help set up and by 3:27pm (Ridley's EXACT birthday and time the party started) everything was set up and looked great.


Ridley arrived shortly after with Aunt Tammi in her cute color coordinated outfit. She had such a good time running around with all her friends and getting dirty. And wow, did she get dirty! It was a great time and a great celebration of Ridley.




For prosperity's sake, I'll repeat my facebook status on Ridley's birthday: "Happy Birthday, Ridley! Flip my whole life upside down why don'tcha?! Pinch-your-cheeks love ya!! Celebrating you and your 1 year old awesomeness and our feat of getting through the first year. ::love::"
And of course the post-party status: "Birthday party, year one: check. Clean-up?...tomorrow. Feet propped up on the couch after getting lil' one to bed: check! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate and those of you who sent your love!"