Hugo's first birthday party.

Hugo's birthday party was a big deal, if to no one else, at least to me. It could have been much simpler, a big hug in the morning, an avalanche of kisses exchanged, a couple "happy birthday!"s for Hugo to be oblivious to. We could have just gone about our day like any other day. Chris might have kept it to that but I didn't want to.

It sort of started with the card. I wanted to organise a gathering and decided that I needed something to invite people with. Dissatisfied with a simple email or facebook invitation, I preferred something more tangible that I could save and put in Hugo's memory box to revisit later.



Making the card, as documented in a short but hilariously fast-paced movie was an adventure in itself but we got there in the end and were pleased with the results. I get these types of cards printed online and the minimum order is 50 prints so I got writing.

I cast a wide net and sent cards to people who I thought were even remotely likely to come (Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Albury...) as well as to people who weren't (Nice, Fortworth, San Diego, Seattle, New York...). Most of those likely to come responded that they would be there and before long, we had a picnic for close to 30 adults (and lots of babies & children) on our hands... so I got cooking.

On the card, it said BYO (bring your own) picnic blanket which meant that we were providing everything else. That sort of thing suits my slightly perfectionist control-freak tendencies. Doing it all meant I could decide exactly what we were doing but it also meant doing it all.

I logged onto Pinterest for the first time in months to get some inspiration. If Chris thought that I was being over the top when planning the party, then he might have imploded seeing what was being done elsewhere. Elaborate decorations, exquisitely iced cupcakes, cakes in the shape of princesses, pirate ships or medieval castles, bombonnieres, paper lanterns, flowers, pinwheels and brightly colored table-settings... The works.

I'm not sure whether I felt inspired or disheartened by what I saw but in any case, I set the bar where it felt natural: nice simple food, a few decorations and a nice setting. Oh, and I wanted to make something that would be recognisable as a birthday cake.

I did most of the preparation in the week beforehand, freezing and baking various things, and on the day before, making salads and preparing all the last minute things. Chris' parents visited us from Albury for the occasion and were the perfect baby-sitters for Hugo while we got busy in the kitchen. Everyone got involved. "Many hands make light (and fun) work."

We arrived at our shelter in Blackbutt reserve shortly before our guests and were greeted by nice weather and hoards of mosquitoes. Seeing our 25 or so friends arrive, mingle, chat comfortably and amicably felt great. "We have arrived, we are home," I thought and we made some really nice friends along the way to boot. A few people came from Sydney, and everyone else was either a friend we made through work, mother's group or yoga. It was a very nice crowd indeed.

Unfortunately, a few friends were also missing but such is life and we will have to make it up soon.

Hugo had a great time, being looked after mostly by his grand-parents but also by the friends he has learnt to know over the year. He ate all sorts of things he doesn't normally have: dips, chips, cake, quiche etc... and received some lovely presents, mainly books, toys and music.

About five hours after we had arrived, mostly everyone had left and we packed up. Hugo fell asleep the minute we turned the engine on and drove off. We both felt satisfied and exhausted, delighted with how it all went and glad to put it all away and go back to normal life.

One week later, we are still going through leftovers. A few bits and pieces are still scattered around struggling to find a place to be stored but life continues with our busy one year old. One day, I will show him some photos of his very first birthday party and I will remember how far we had come, and how far we still had to go.

Thanks to the lovely Rebecca for the photos.