2. Party One was on Saturday with Jak’s Calgary grandparents.  We wanted to do something low-key, but something we knew he would enjoy.  The answer — a trip to the park!  (Thanks to auntie erin for suggesting Helicopter Park…it was a hit!)Jak’s favourite part of the park wasn’t the swing.  It wasn’t the slide.  It wasn’t the merry-go-round.  It was a ramp.  Yes, you read that right.  He spent the majority of our time at the park just going back and forth, up and down the ramp.  Crazy kid. 

3. Here are some “behind the scenes” shots of our time at the park…

4. Maguire was at the park, too.(I promise he’s under that blanket…)

5. One last round of photos from the park — boys being boys!

6. We had dinner at our place after our park adventures, and I made sure to have a giant chocolate cupcake for Jakzen for dessert.  In preparation for what I assumed would be a messy experience, I stripped him down and plunked him back in his chair, all ready to dive in and get dirty.  First, he was unsure what to think of our singing…and even more unsure of the sparkly candle.Once the sparkler had burned out, he picked up the cupcake and we were all ready with our cameras to capture him attacking it with gusto.  No such luck.  He took one lick, and put it down.  Apparently there really is such a thing as too much chocolate…

7. On Sunday, it was Olivia’s birthday.  Crazy that this weekend marked her FIRST birthday.  Already!  She’s such a happy little girl — and a total ham for the camera.

8. Yesterday we had a party with some of Jak’s best buddies…and of course, more cupcakes.

9. Maguire, the party animal.

10. Jakzen got the obligatory cupcake with a candle in it again…and once again, he wasn’t sure what to think.

Thankfully Jak has good friends like Ronan who *tried* to teach him how to blow out the candle. 

Jak made a couple feeble attempts at blowing, but in the end, Ronan saved the day and blew out the flame — and Jak was grateful!Of course, Jak didn’t want anything to do with eating the cupcake, and opted instead for a chocolate cookie.  Which he LOVED…and his mommy finally got those messy birthday shots she was looking for.   

In celebration of the day’s festivities, I whipped up some appropriate treats (thanks to some inspiration ala Bakerella).  In Richard’s words, “it’s the first time I’ve had steak and then hamburgers at the same meal”. 

Nick’s stepdad enjoying his burger. 

And Nick’s dad enjoying his, too.  Teeny tiny wee burger in those big giant dad hands. 

Jakzen — and Nick and me, too! — are very fortunate to have these 2 dads so close.  They have been great role models for Nick, so I know that Jak can only benefit from having them in his life.  I see many years of tools and projects and great adventures in the future! 

As for Jakzen’s dad, well, I can’t wait ’til Jak is old enough to know just how great his dad is.  Nick is a dad that happily forfeits his scary movies for cartoons.  He’s a dad that always manages to get Jak dirty when they go to the park.  He’s a dad who rushes thru the door after work to lay on the floor and play with his boy.  He’s a dad who tastes Jak’s icky broccoli to be sure it’s not too hot.  He’s a dad whose son lights up when he walks in the room.  Yep, Jakzen is a lucky little boy, and I can’t wait to see the 2 of them grow-up together.   

Just one dad left to mention.  (And he just happens to be my favourite…)  My dad, of course!!  He put up with 18+ years of living in a house with a whole lotta estrogen.  But despite that, he managed to remain strong and determined, hardworking and handy, considerate and funny, generous and kind – the epitome of what makes a great dad.  Yep, he’s definitely the “toughest softy” you’ll ever meet.  Wish I was there with you today, Dad!  Hopefully we’ll get to see you soon!  xoxo