Nathan’s first birthday party; the farmer is in

Nathan’s first birthday party was a time to celebrate and reflect on the past year. He seemed like he had fun playing and interacting with his first and sweetest friend, Gino, and enjoyed his first taste of homemade, real chocolate cake.

 



The old-fashioned chocolate cake recipe came from America’s Test Kitchen; the crown, from Mum Paints Lives; and the sweater, knitted from Zoë Mellor’s Adorable Knits for Tots.

Our guests seemed to be enjoying each other’s company, and there was more than enough food and snacks to go around.


Lookit Grandpa cheating on Nathan with adorable little Nora!





My husband shot some really good video of Nathan opening the generous gifts from our friends and family and smearing chocolate cake on his face while it was en route to his mouth.

One of my gifts to Nathan was Farmer Fred, a take on the Dapper Dan doll I had when I was little.

It’s based on the 12-inch doll in the round pattern from Wee Folk Art. I used brown yarn for overalls and black for shoes and embellished him with straps for the overalls that Nathan can button and unbutton when he’s older, a neckerchief…

…and a handkerchief I knitted out of fingering-weight yarn to go in his pack pocket.

My husband suggested I make him some green muck boots to make him look more farmer-like. A pitchfork would have been nice, but he’s too young for such a potentially pointy accessory.

Now I’m off to prepare for our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and welcome our out-of-town guests tonight.  So much to do, so little time!   We have more than ever to be thankful for this year, and I’m glad we get to spend Thanksgiving with both of our families this year – a new Patla family tradition!