It’s been quiet here as we all scramble to catch up on work/household chores that fell neglected during our two-ish weeks of storms and power failure. The siblings went back to college and Michael misses them already. I’m glad they were able to be here for his first birthday.

Even though it’s been a week since his party, I still wanted to document it here. Michael’s birthday party was a quiet affair for similar reasons: power outage cleanup and head colds made throwing a large party out of my ability. Plus, Michael chose the week prior to drop his afternoon nap and the transition was difficult for all of us. But I still wanted to make his first birthday something special that he could look at in our photo albums as he gets older.

Using felt and some macrame rope, I stitched together some bunting that matched the colors of his room and went with our Hobbit-themed party. My blanket stitch wasn’t perfect (those pesky corners) but I love the handmade look and Michael doesn’t seem to mind. It now hangs over his window in his bedroom.

I also made him a birthday crown. I’m hoping to keep up the tradition as the years continue, embroidering or felting something on each that reflects an aspect of my child’s interests and loves. For this one, I felted a leaf, a sun, a ladybug, and an acorn — to capture Michael’s love of the outdoors and his curiosity about the world around him.

It was my first attempt at needle felting so it’s a tad rough, but I’m happy with the end product.

Hobby Lobby had some fun woodland themed decorations and I enjoyed putting them around our living room and kitchen. Mushrooms, acorns, hedgehogs, and foxes all helped transform the small space into something magical.

Food was a simple affair, based on some of Michael’s favorites and those that might be found in The Shire. We had cheeses and veggies and fruits and honey cake with blueberries.

Our family crowded into our tiny cottage, and Michael was delighted by all the love and attention. He spent the afternoon ripping tissue paper and toddling from one person to the next, showing off his new books and toys.

He loved every present, as did I — they give me a few minutes of independent play here or there so I can get a few chores done around the house.

Watching him with his birthday cake was probably the best part of the entire day. He loved the candle, and the singing, and the frosting. He also loved demolishing the cake.

I had been struggling with “mom guilt” over having a simple and small birthday party, especially since my original plan had been much more ornate and exciting and involved inviting many friends. But seeing the happiness on his face as he opened gifts and wandered from person to person and smashed cake into every crevice of his high chair, that guilt eased a little. Although his party wasn’t elaborate, the cake was wonky, the house small, and the decorations imperfect…I know he still loved every moment of it.

And that’s what really matters.