The theme for Gavin's first birthday party was a Winter ONE-derland. Cute, eh? If you Google first birthday party theme ideas, you'll discover that it's one of the most common themes for winter birthdays so it's far from original, but I loved the idea of decorating with snowflakes for our little one-of-a-kind Snowflake. :)

Gavin enjoyed the snowflakes and balloons. Bring on the cheese!

The party started at 1:10 PM, the exact time Gavin was born. We served a dessert menu including these vanilla/vanilla cupcakes. Having never baked cupcakes before, I searched for the perfect recipe and found one from Billy's Bakery in New York City. Martha Stewart says they're the best cupcakes in NYC and, while not a Martha fan, I couldn't pass on her judgement! Daddy piped the white chocolate snowflakes on top. "Piped" is one of those fancy Food Network words that, for us, means "melt the chocolate in the nuke box, pour into a ziplock bag, and squeeze out of a snipped corner."

Along with the cupcakes, we served Goodberry's frozen custard which I can easily see becoming a tradition. Chocolate and mint chocolate chip were the selected flavors. Gavin ate a small spoonful of the chocolate custard but wasn't impressed. When he's begging us to stop at Goodberry's every day in another two years, I'll enjoy reminding him that he refused it on his first birthday!

We found this darling birthday hat for Gavin to wear but, as expected, he wanted nothing of it. Whose idea was it to put this dreadful thing on my head, anyway?!

It was YOU, Mommy! I knew it was you!

Party attendees were GGma, GGpa, Grandpa, Gmummy, and Aunt Kristen. Mommy and Daddy attended as well, of course, but were busy behind the still and video cameras out of the group shot.

Hmm... Now what do we have here?

I shall give this unusual specimen my signature one-finger touch test.

Or maybe I'll just give some to Gmummy so I'll know if it's safe to eat.

And that was exciting as cupcake eating got with Gavin. No typical icing-smeared-all-over-the-face moment for our picky eater.

Gavin has been cutting his first molar and soothes his aching gums by cramming all of his fingers into his mouth. He sought comfort with Gmummy while everyone shifted to the living room for the opening of gifts.