Kayla's 1st Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to our precious baby girl! For Kayla's 1st birthday, we rented a hall (since we live in a condo and have no yard to support this kind of crowd). With all the balloons, food and drinks, who could mistake it for the party of the year? We hired Coach Rick (a local Coach who goes to a bunch of the pre-schools in the area) to come do things with the kids - boy did it keep them all busy. Children of all ages really enjoyed the festivities!

Enjoy our photos below... It was a big hit!

The birthday girl welcomes everyone to her party!

Chilling with her favorite Great Uncle Robert!

Here with Uncle Denny & Aunt Alison

Mommy, Kayla & Aunt Melissa

She was enthralled by all the gifts... thank you so much!

Coach Rick with the kids

Taking it all in!

The parachute is always tons of fun!

A girl and her hula hoop!

Weeeeee!


The Coach & Kayla


Scooter Races


Hot Potato - Hot Potato

Mr. Tamborine man....

Kayla & Daddy

Kayla & Uncle Kevin

A very yummy cake made by Aunt Linda

Helping her blow out her candles

In the beginning...

At the end!

Now she has her OWN pillow pet!

More books!

"Hello - Dada?"

Her very own Rocking Horse

They love the paper more than the gifts!

Up to no good... once again!

From pulling the oven open & turning the stove gas on to climbing up on the ottoman & starting this new phase of biting when she gets pissed off... Kayla is getting close to her 1st birthday and close to the terrible 2's. Now I recently read that the "terrible 2's" actually begin for some children right after they turn ONE. I said to myself, "Jesus, this kid may deter me from having any more!".... Although she is so wonderful and brings such a smile to our faces daily, she can be quite the devil.

I am reading a book called "Positive Discipline" at the recommendation of someone I know. So far its a good book but sometimes I wonder if the author's actually ever HAD children? LOL At this age the most recomended way to discipline a child is to "remove & distract" while continueing to say "no".... God it's exhausting. Kayla just starting a new thing... when something is taken away from her she screams, pretends to cry (the face is priceless) and then drops to the floor, puts her head on the floor and bangs her arms! Where the hell did she learn that one? Or when you "remove" her... her body becomes LIMP and she flails out screaming....

Here's to looking forward to times to come! Part of me can't wait for her to TALK so there is more verbal communication... part of me should just enjoy the non verbal....

McLachlin Family Reunion

Although we don't get to visit with Grandma Isabel's side of the family very often, I think that we are now going to have a yearly family reunion. Last weekend was the very 1st time I got to meet many of my family members. It was SO much fun but I can't wait until next year when I can really hang with all the big kids! Check out our photos!

Kayla wanted to get in on the potato sack races too!

Listening to the directions

Ready, Set, Go!

Trying to figure out what this thing is???

Hula Hoopin'

Kayla hanging out with Grandpa

Kayla getting one of her favorite things from Grandma... a belly rub!

Mommy, Daddy & Kayla

The whole McLachlin Clan (minus a few)

The next Kerri Strug?

In an effort to help "exhaust" Kayla a little more during the week, we decided to sign her up for classes at My Gym. It's like Gymboree or The Little Gym... They have circle time, a puppet show, special gymnastic stations and free play. So far she really loves it but the past 2 wks I was told that they think she should really move up to the next level class... I think its mostly b/c she is the only walking in her class and almost knocks the other babies over... The current class if 7-14 months. So we are on the wait list for the next class... which is 14-22 months. I think she would do better in that class anyway b/c she likes hanging out with older kids.

The trampoline is absolutely her favorite!

Coming up on the trampoline

Rocking away - she climbs on all by herself!

Walking up...

Going back down...

Chillin on the swings!

Visit from an "Old" Friend

Heather Clark Samuels is one of my mommy's oldest friends... in that they have known each other since they were sophomores at Westfield High School. Heather is an international missionary and currently lives in Toronto Canada. She got married last year in Canada to a man named Richard from India - they met while she was traveling. She has missioned on 3 continents but LOVES Northern Ireland the most and plans to return there soon! So Aunt Heather came to NJ to meet with some of her supporters... we had so much fun when she was here... a sleepover, lots of playing, some shopping and MORE playing! I even met Heather's mommy, Nana Sharon. Here are some of the great times!!!

Giving Auntie Heather kisses!

HERE I COME!

This is Mommy's favorite!