Ben's 1st Birthday Party

On 26th October 2012 the greatest thing in the world happened ............. Ben was born.  For one full year he has brought nothing but joy, fun and happiness to the lives of everyone who he has met.  So for his 1st birthday Marguerite and Jude organised a cool birthday party for him and his friends.













If you were lucky enough to have a child around the age of one ..... and you happen to be friendly with Marguerite and Jude ..... well then you may have received one of these golden tickets through your door ......... or in your inbox ......... or even on your Facebook page!!!









Ben's birthday started the night before as he, Marguerite, Jude, Riona and Amy all met for dinner at Goodfellas.  Here is a cool pic of everyone just before their meal was served.  The blurry pic was taken on Riona's phone.  Eh ..... that's a dodgy camera on your phone Riona!!









A few days before Ben's birthday his Auntie Emma landed up to give Ben his birthday present.  Emma bought the gift early and then just could not wait to give it to Ben.  Ben wasn't complaining! 










Emma, being the great Auntie that she is, spotted that Ben really needed this particular toy as it would help his new found attempts at walking.












So in the days that followed Ben made full use of his new 'walker' and in doing so he was improving his balance and his leg strength while causing his Mama and Dada to freak out every now and again as he would take the odd tumble here and there. 















So after the meal in Goodfellas everyone went back up to 5 Hamill Park to get stuck into preparing for Ben's big day.  There was a lot to do and thankfully there were many hands to do it.  Here are Emma, Amy, Marguerite and Ben all helping make and prepare the birthday banners which would hang around the house.  Just look at how intensely focussed they all are ...... even Ben!

But where's Riona?




Well she was over cooking up a few buns.  Riona is good at this auld lark here, she can cook up a tasty treat indeed.  Nowadays folk call these things cupcakes, but to Jude ..... a bun, is a bun, and always will be a bun.










Meanwhile back at the table Emma is professing her love for Ben by making him this cool wee love heart.  Isn't that sweet!!!












Amy and Riona are working soooooo hard that they don't even notice they have pastry all over their faces!!












Rather than risking letting Amy and Riona bake a cake, Marguerite opted to buy this one ...... Sainsbury's finest no doubt!!!












Riona did do a great job though baking up these cool brownies!













'Ok Amy, let's get this place sorted out for Ben's big day', said Marguerite to Amy.













Soon the table was multi-coloured and perfectly organised .........













....... the living room was ready .....














........ the buns were looking deliciously appetizing ........













........ and the snack corner was all set.  So all that was needed now were Ben's party guests to munch on all this food.













And just before everyone started to arrive Ben and Jude put on the finishing touches ....... these cool matching blue hats.  Cool dudes, wha?












Moments later everyone began to arrive.  Claire was one of the first along with Kievan and little baby Emer.












Eadaoin and Niall were up from Ballygalget and they weren't long joining in the fun.














And before you knew it the place was a mad house ...... full of wee-ans ........













............ crawling all over the place, pulling at this, climbing on that ...... it was great craic!  That's Erika sitting in the middle of the settee with her wee son Jacob on her knee.  To Erika's right is Michael.  In the white is Ann Marie with her wee daughter Emily in the pink and white dress.   









Niall, Rebecca and Ben get to know each other while all playing with Ben's new wee car on his play mat.












Kiesha was busy supping away on her orange juice as her mum Brenda kept watch. Meanwhile Ben is starting this car up and is about to take it for a spin!!!

















'Hahahaha ........ I love this toy, and I love birthday parties, they're class', Ben was surely thinking at this stage.  Meanwhile Niall may also be thinking, 'here, this birthday lark is some craic, I can't wait until it's my birthday'.










Ben got so many cards and gifts that it's impossible to show them all here, but here is a cool one he received from his Uncle Michael and Auntie Seaneen, 'Have A Very Happy Birthday - 1 Today'.

Ben's very first birthday card was received from Clare Saunders, all the way from the Malden Mansion in Boston.













This card was from Ben's Nana Clarke, note the cool title of 'Master Ben Clarke'. 













Also arriving from America was this gift from Lindsay, all the way from Framingham, Massachusetts. 

And what could be in the box?










A beautiful huge New England Patriots blanket for Ben.  Nice!!















Ben and Mickey Mouse become acquainted.














So as usual Marguerite always comes up with a great plan for such occasions.  Today it was all about the kids of course, like Michael here for instance.  So she decided to involve them in an activity involving paint, was she mad?  Well no because the activity was just as kids like it ............








........... fun ......














........ messy ........















 
 
 


....... and 'memorable'. 

Of course the babas will not remember the day but Marguerite's great idea would see them all getting to take home their very own hand or foot print from Ben's party.  The prints were nicely planted onto wee pieces of canvas and each had a stand to set it on.  And then it could always be said, 'you got that at Ben's first birthday party'.








Ann Marie got to meet Ben for the first time today, here she is doing just that and catching up with Jude.

So in the weeks leading up to Ben's birthday Marguerite would sing 'Happy Birthday' to him so that he would be prepared for the big day and not freak out and start crying once everyone would sing it on the day.  So by now he was well prepared. 






And now came the big moment.  In the background here are: Ben's Granny Crossan, his Uncle Kevin, his cousin Leah and his Auntie Emma.  So with his friends and family gathered around, Marguerite came into the room with Ben's first ever birthday cake ........









............. singing 'Happy Birthday' .......

....... and getting Ben to blow out the three wee candles.  Marguerite just about managed to hold it together at this point as she was, very nearly, overcome with emotion ..... the tears nearly flowed ....... she was just so happy for Ben.  And as you can see Ben was just brilliant as he pulled this great smile for his Mama.












Erika and Jacob look on as Ben checks out his cool cake.

Ben got a lot of presents today, here he is clutching another, this is Aquadoodle!  Thanks to everyone who came along from near and far who helped make Ben's first birthday party as special as it was.  Thanks to Riona, Amy and Emma for helping organise the party, and thanks to everyone for all Ben's wonderful gifts.








In addition to their artwork and party bags, all the babas at Ben's party got to take away a balloon.  Here is Ben clutching his the next morning.











Ben shares his birthday with his Granda but as Michael was working during Ben's party he called up the following night as Ben wanted to wish him 'Happy Birthday'.  Here is Marguerite (getting all emotional again) as he carts out Michael's (slice of) cake.

By this stage Ben could very nearly join in with the singing!!








'Woo-hoo fruit pastilles, ohh they look nice', that's what Ben may have been thinking. 

Here is Michael celebrating his birthday with Ben checking out the pastilles.  You see Michael loves fruit pastiles, and today he got about 10 packs!  Nice hat Michael ..... I say that's a cool hat ye have there Michael!!!








So there you have it, Ben is one year old.  If his second year is as exciting, fun filled and amazing as his first then it will be nothing short of wonderful. 

Happy birthday Ben from everyone!