happy 1st birthday syona monster!

We celebrated Syona's 1st birthday last weekend at the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Jose, a family tradition restaurant. I can recall when I was getting the kids meal here sitting in the cable car, so it was really neat to celebrate Syona's birthday here. We had about 60 people attend the festivities (including 2 toddlers and 7 adorable babies, poor Mckenna was sick and could not come), and therefore was able to secure the backroom all to ourselves! I think Syona

was really happy to see all the balloons, her placemat (each kids got their own special souvenier as well) and her baby friends. We had set out a little play area with some play mats for the babies to waddle around and have fun. As much as they say the first baby is really for the parents, we did our best to make it fun for Syona and her little pals as well. We had set out a huge kids table with chairs for the parents and high chairs for the little ones to all sit together. Syona did a nice job eating her spaghetti noodles all by herself and oodling at her balloons. The best part was when the cake came out, we sang happy birthday (syona didn't cry so it's good we prepped her by introducing the bday song since she was 11 months) and then took turns all feeding her cake.

We then gave her a big piece and let her go to town, which was really fun to do and a treat for all of us to take pleasure in and enjoy. I had got a little tutu made for her from eBay and a little happy birthday syona shirt as well that got pretty trashed during the spaghetti and cake time. Auntie Jackie made the end of the party and surprised us with some good news ***to be posted at a later date*** and we did a champagne toast at home to celebrate.

Syona opened all her presents and has been playing with fun books, cars, puzzles, music toys and little animals ever since. Thanks to everyone for coming, celebrating and for showering Syona with so much love and joy. Special thanks to Bhabhi for coming to Syona's party all the way from India and for Koichi making a day trip from Seattle! Love you guys!