First Birthday Cake (and last)!

Mom, we got to do this more often! 

So hard to believe that Riley is a year old today. I am so happy, yet can't help to feel a little emotional too. People tell you to enjoy it, that it goes so fast. They are right. Jason and I both agree that having Riley in our lives has made this the best year in our life. Riley is becoming quite a "little girl." She is very, how should a put it, spirited, yet can be affectionate and loving and want to plant kiss on you (or her bears)! She has a very serious side, but can be the goofiest little girl you have ever seen. We were in Comp USA a while back and there were these two girls talking and laughing together. Riley was really watching them and then must have decided she wanted to be a part of their fun because she started laughing very loudly while watching them. Just like she was part of their conversation! The two girls thought this was pretty funny and Riley quickly made friends. Riley is very outgoing and loves other children. At play group she chases all the other kids while I in turn chase her. I get a great workout, to say the least. Riley is now officially walking. I say "officially" because instead of crawling from point A to B, she is now walking. Even if that means picking herself up from the ground ten times in the process of A to B! Riley has Jason's energy levels and never stops. She loves reading books, stacking blocks, knocking down blocks, climbing (this is a new hobby and a very scary one for me), and her favorite activity of all time is playing ball. Riley is an amazing little girl and there is not a day that goes by that we don't know how lucky we are to have her in our lives.

The pics below are of her birthday. We celebrated the weekend of March 11th since it is so hard to celebrate during the week with Jason working. Her great grandparents from New York and grandma and grandpa Marchant came to celebrate the day with us. Riley was very lucky because the weekend of February 25th her grandma and grandpa Hoyt came to visit her, along with her Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Val. For her birthday celebration we opened gifts and we went to the Children's Museum in Everett, Washington. I couldn't believe this place. You can't even imagine it unless you go there, but it was amazing. Riley absolutely loved it and it's something she will love more as she gets older. I kept reading articles that said to not expect too much for your child's first birthday because they tend to get overwhelmed and tired, etc., but it really was a great day. Tonight we will go visit that big mouse again. Hopefully he will come visit with Riley this time, or else...

Happy Birthday, Riley!

 

Riley is practicing for her trip in the plane coming up in July.



Do we have another fish biologist in the family?

This was an igloo room in the museum - just a huge room with these white blocks. Riley loved it! 

Fun at the Children's Museum in Everett

You better catch me, Grandma!


Riley hiding out in the castle!


The museum has an amazing outdoor playground. We had a hard time keeping up with Riley in these tunnels. Once she was in...she was off!
 

A horse ride at the Pier in Seattle

 

Riley? The center of attention? No way!

 

Riley loves her "bear chair"

Riley loves to hug and kiss her new chair.  

Strawberry Shortcake themed party!

 

Over here, Chuck E. Cheese!

This was Riley's first trip to Chuck E. Cheese and, oh, did she have fun! I was sure she would be frightened of Chuck E. Not so. In the pic where she is standing with Jason she is actually clapping her hands and dancing while watching the big mouse! She then proceeded to get angry because he wouldn't come over to her table, as he was busy with a birthday party. She was standing there, throwing her hands up in the air and grunting trying to get his attention. The boys having the birthday party just looked at her kind of funny as to the wierd noises she was making. Riley, of course, was oblivious to anyone looking at her oddly!  

Visit with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Valerie

Riley enjoying her grandma Hoyt and some early birthday gifts!