Waiting for the baby goat

Today we successfully hosted our first birthday party. It was no Beaupalooza, but we managed to have a great time and enjoy the day. We opted for low-key as the impending birth of #2 makes us a little unsure about planning anything too big right now. We ended up with about 6 kids and their parents for the morning. Our original plan was to inflate the baby pool in the garden, but it was TOO COOL for that. I spoke with my sister Lizzie in S. Georgia and they have the opposite problem-- it being TOO HOT for a pool party this time of year. They are having a lovely tea party themed birthday for Miss Lindsay-Kate this weekend instead.

We started preparations by decorating James' chair (in true Dutch style), throwing up our all-purpose celebration banner and busily walking dogs/ vacuuming/ making decisions about what food to serve at the LAST MINUTE.

We had a lot of fun-- it was sunny and pleasant to sit out in the garden. In fact the parents spent most of the time out there while the kids played inside with James' toys. We miss out on this phenomena for the most part, as our play dates tend to be few and far between. I didn't realize I would have the chance for a few hours of adult conversation while the kids kept themselves busy. What a treat! We shared some great Spanish cheese our friends Cor and Marian brought us from their vacation, with fruit, bread and crackers. I noticed James walk up to the hapjes (snack) table at one point-- he grabbed a cracker, put a piece of bread on top of it, and walked off enjoying his creation. It looked a bit dry to me-- but he was loving it. Later we had a delicious American yellow box cake with chocolate icing and some vanilla ice cream. Mom dropped the ball BIG TIME by completely forgetting to purchase plates, napkins, cups-- anything useful and disposable that could have made the day easier. So we took one for the environmental team and pulled out EVERY spoon and fork, tea saucer and serving bowl to make enough vehicles for serving the cake and ice cream. It all worked out just fine of course.
Here are some shots from the day:
James in the decorated birthday chair; Mom lighting and keeping it all together... this plate is not as precarious as this photo indicates.

Enjoying the cake and lekker ijsje...

Simon 'helping' Mames open and play with his new loot...

Dad's present for Mames: cherry, ash, pine, beech, and oak all get involved.

As for the title-- James has picked his favorite animal at the neighborhood children's farm. For weeks he has been unable to focus on anything but the baby goat when we visit. One day he just stood by it and walked around with it for nearly an hour. He loves this goat, people. When we pass by the city park that holds the children's farm he will start to say "baby goat-- baby goat" over and over again. This evening as we were preparing for bed, we started talking about the baby in mom's belly. He piped up with "baby goat!" Ummm... we may be in for a major disappointment in the near future. We attempted to explain, through the laughter, that we were pretty sure mom was NOT having a baby goat, but a baby human... but it is not crystal clear that we are all on the same page.