Feliz Cumpleanos Oscar!

I had so much fun preparing for Oscar's birthday this year. It was a little challenging working on all the preparations between feedings, diapers, and naps but it all got done! The guest list was very exclusive and limited to the guests of honor's closest family members - Elizabeth and Siena :) - and it was just perfect. I told him that he has experienced and accomplished so much already and he is only 35. We had so much to celebrate this year and I am sure so much more in the years to come.

A surprise birthday breakfast. Yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit and homemade granola. Oscar loves granola so I was so excited when I found a recipe to make it at home. It was actually pretty easy and turned out great!

Blowing out his candles. Oscar loves anything lemon so I decided to do something different than a cake this year and make lemon bars. We have become fans of shortbread after living in London for a year and the crust was made out of shortbread. He ended up taking some to the office and they were a hit. I will have to add this one to my permanent recipe file :) Siena was supposed to be in bed but we let her stay up to celebrate with Daddy.

Opening his gifts. For those of you who know London, you can guess from the bag that Siena and I shopped at Selfridges :) It was my first outing with Siena in the Bjorn front carrier. Everything went well but I felt a little like a bull in a china shop when I was trying to make my way to the till .. I had her on the front, my purse on one arm, one bag already on the other arm and my coat. The salespeople were more than willing to help me as I neared a nice display of tea cups ... !

A British birthday! Oscar loves anything with the British flag on it so I thought these would be fun gifts (a throw pillow and a door mat) that would also double up as nice souvenirs one day. This is the first year - I think ever - that he hasn't returned or exchanged his birthday gift. Yeah!