How do you celebrate a first birthday within a pandemic situation?
With lots of friends! We drew inspiration from this comic strip from Calvin and Hobbes:
The day before Sierra and Maman worked hard on a cake
We started out the morning with the king sitting in his mighty throne
We hung up some photos of the past year of his life
Sierra hid a few gifts for him downstairs. This firetruck was from Sierra. Back when she had her birthday she was so impressed by the gift that Ezra got her that she said “I want to get him a firetruck for HIS birthday.” He seemed to enjoy it!
Here’s how excited he was!
After the firetruck we decided to take a bike trek around the village
Happy Birthday song!
Maman took some nice photos of Ezra on the front lawn
Birthday smiles
We asked some friends around the house to come join the party after Ezra’s morning nap. Yes, that is a Mr. Zucchini head!
A lovely cake before Fredo and Ezra tore it apart
Some friends dropped by with some gifts and balloons!
Sierra is getting pretty good at taking photos
The birthday boy arrives!
Always the polite host, he thanks everyone for coming to his party
Everyone gets a birthday hat!
Mega balloon
Snapshot with the parents
Nabbing Maman’s hat
Maybe having the ceiling fan on wasn’t a good idea
Looks like he is enjoying it his first birthday cake!
Of course Maman will take some cake!!
Playing with a new gift
Hanging out on the playset
Baby Yoda from his great grandmothers. I should let them know that this is what they purchased for him.
In no way did that gift enter this house for me to play with. None whatsoever.
All in all, if his smile were an indication of how he enjoyed his birthday, it must have been a hit! Thanks to all who phoned, Facetimed, dropped by and sent gifts. It was much appreciated.
Clearly we have a music lover in the house because whenever a good beat comes on he just bops along with the greatest squat dance move there ever was!
Ezra has been a fun person to be around in his 12th month here on Earth. He is generally a happy kid and plays well with his sister for the most part. Sierra does have her moments that she likes to play with Ezra (like in the tent) but other times she likes to play on her own. Ezra is the same though…there are times where I just sit and watch him chewing on a sneaker near the patio door and other times he loves horsing around with us.
While not walking yet, he is very steady on his feet (he can pick up a ball by squatting down and then picking it up) but he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to start walking. When we try, he just resorts to going on his knees again.
Bopping to the music!
I can’t remember the story clearly but I’m pretty sure Vero and I found this set at a garage sale years ago and it was the same set that she grew up with. Here is Ezra and Sierra enjoying it as well.
Ezra had the privilege of having Grandma, Poppa and Nanny Sybil spend some time with us this summer. It was extra special because it has been awhile.
Getting ready for a walk
Ezra and Sierra wanted to show Grandma the trails in Russell
We thought it was hilarious that Ezra would just lie down if we fell over. Maybe he enjoyed the sun?
Ezra was in awe of seeing a balloon blown up!
Playing around with Poppa
Everyone was patiently waiting to dive into some cake!
This was before the silly faces photo
Silly faces!
We put this photo up above the fireplace to replace the winter themed one
I can only imagine they were playing an intense game of Carcasonne on the iPad
A common sight around these parts…not actually riding it but pushing it along as a walking aid!
The first time he sipped water from this cup we found it funny. Then he decided that this was the proper way to drink water at all times and proceeded to douse himself with water every time he took a sip! I’m pretty sure I changed him 23 times one day!
What kid doesn’t love hiding behind curtains?
Maman got to join us one morning at the Castor River
Like every kid on Earth, he does enjoy things that light up and make noise
Double fisting like a champ!
If this video doesn’t make you smile, you are dead inside. Ezra likes playing a game where he lays his head down and everyone follows.
Another day, another visit to the Castor River trail
Who needs park equipment when we have a perfectly good hill?
Ah yes, the ole ‘fetch the gas can toy’ game
It’s fun when Sierra can snap a photo of Ezra and I
It’s rare that we see an actual bird have a bath!
It’s rare that he isn’t putting his hands on the fretboard and preventing me to play!
I brought Eric and Mike out for a drink at the Castor River one evening. Definitely the highlight of the summer!
Trying to find dinosaurs
Sharing a rubber ducky is a sign of love
Enjoying a summer treat
Wrestling with Fredo
Enjoying the backpack
Here is the poster we ordered for Ezra’s 1st birthday party
Future curling champion
We drive by this giant rooster every once in awhile so it was time to get a picture with it!
Can’t forget the giant cow down the road
Dipping our toes in the Ottawa River
I asked Sierra to take a video but she took some photos instead. This was Ezra air drumming to Thunderstruck.
Pushing Sierra around
Nap time
Nom nom nom
Smoothie The Serpent decided to make a home in the tunnel
Who wants milk when you can eat ice cream?!
I had a good laugh at this photo
Teaching the kids how to play piano on my birthday
This was definitely a highlight of a gift
Mmm boy!
A nice stroll with the family on my birthday
Vero took a few weeks off before I returned to work on August 10th. We decided to head to the Petrie Island beach one morning. It was quite cold and windy! We didn’t stay too long.
Vero even had to steal one of the kids towels to warm up! It’s not the end of the world…considering Ezra naps around 10am, we don’t get much time to spend at the beach
The next day looked a little sunnier so we went back and I took Ezra home for his nap so Sierra and Maman could spend some time together
Must have been a good joke!
I’ve lived in Ottawa over twenty years and I never knew that Petrie Island was more than a beach. They have some really neat trails to walk around as well!
What better treat than watermelon at the beach?!
Enjoying the piano, clearly!
We dropped by Uncle Mike and Aunt Melanie’s place to check on the house and had some fun!
Look at the size of this thing! It was a seven pounder!
