Happy 1st Birthday!

Yesterday was Kayley’s first birthday. It’s hard to believe she’s already a year old. We wanted to make it a day to remember (even though Kayley probably won’t remember it…). Thus Kayley and I started the day by picking my mom up and going to the Imagine Children’s Museum.

Kayley loved it! They had all these different play areas (i.e. Vet, tree house, Italian restaurant, farm, trains, water play, glow room, construction, music, etc.), and Kayley had fun exploring them all. We let her wander around and explore at her own pace mostly, but then a large group of children showed up for a field trip, so we started guiding her from place to place a bit. I was very impressed with how she transition from area to area. I would just say “It’s time to say bye-bye to ____ so we can go play with something else,” and then she’s wave bye-bye and moved on. This was just hard to do when we left the water play area (her favorite area since she got to splash around), and when we left the museum (she was totally ready to eat and take a nap).

Here are some pictures of our time at the museum. 

Leaving the tree house on the wood bridge

Kayley was dancing to the music as the camera caught her motion and put our images up on the wall

Clapping for the balls as the came through the air-tube

Going down the firetruck slide

The smocks in the water play area were a little big for her

Splash, splash, splash!

Riding the horse at the farm

The glow room. Yes, that blur is Kayley

Playing with a drum in the rooftop play area

Slide time with Maimie

She really likes slides

Checking out the stegosaurus with mama

Riding a car in the construction room

Hitting keys on the piano to make music

Taking care of the animals at the vet (aka. stealing their food bowls to knock together and make noise)

Picking out lunch for mama at the Italian restuarant

Petting the bronze dog statue outside

For lunch we ate at the Mermaid Market Café (yes, I picked it. I couldn’t resist because of the name). It had wonderful food.

Then we headed back to my sister’s place (where my mom is currently living too), and Kayley got to open a few gifts. She got some blocks, clothes, a baby doll, and an electronic turtle learning toy. She has been playing with them all morning so far.

Opening gifts from her aunty and cousins

Opening gifts from Maimie

Right away she gave her new doll a hug

Andrew was able to get off work early, so Kayley and I headed home to have some family time before going out for Kayley’s special dinner at the Rainforest Café with her playmate Kaylin and my friend Hsin-I. We were happy that the gorillas and thunder storms in the restaurant did not scare the girls. Kayley was most fascinated with the elephants and fish, and Kaylin really liked watching the fish too. For the first time, we order a meal for Kayley off the kid’s menu. She was at first curious and then excited to eat her own mini hamburger and fries. Before we left, our waitress brought the girls balloons, and sang happy birthday with some other waiters. Kayley clapped for them when they were done singing.

Kayley: What is this? Am I allowed to touch it?

Taking a bite by herself

Watching the elephants with dada

Balloon!

Kaylin checking out her balloon

Group photo!

I think Kayley had a wonderful first birthday celebration that we will remember for a long time. She hasn’t had her first cake yet, but we’re saving that for her upcoming birthday party. So, happy birthday my sweet baby girl!

Newborn Kayley