1st Birthday in Strasbourg

How many people will be able to say that they spent their first birthday (or any birthday really) in France?  I went to Strasbourg a few months ago and fell in love with it.  I knew that if my parents were ever to visit I would definitely take them there.  I figured it'd also make a perfect venue for Sina's special day.  That it was; not to mention, it was completely stress free for me.  I didn't have to worry about shopping, cooking, baking, decorating or preparing for a big party.  We just kept it simple...and from what we could tell, Sina had a marvelous time.  My mom and dad also enjoyed their first time in France, so it was a win-win all around!

In the morning, we let her open one of her gifts.  It came with a musical card that she just loved.  She danced to the music and had a grand ol' time playing with it. 

Then her daddy fixed her breakfast.  Banana pancakes....yummy!

I bought this outfit for her a year ago so that she could wear it for her first birthday.  Not too long after we put it on, she had it drenched with water.  She still looked so cute!

One of the first things we saw as soon as we arrived in Strasbourg was a carousel in the city square.  Sina got her very first carousel ride!  Both Malu and I were excited to get a ride as well.

We saw and visited the Dom Strasbourg (cathedral) and took some pictures of the interior as well as the astronomical clock.  Amazing!

We had a birthday lunch at a restaurant right outside the cathedral. 

Sina and her daddy danced on the cathedral square to a guy playing a saxophone.  I was lucky to catch a video of this as well.  Both this video and the one of her opening her musical card are posted to my Facebook page.

The stork is a main feature of the Alsace region of France (where Strasbourg is), so they had stuffed storks everywhere.  I couldn't help but get one for the birthday girl.

She got to walk all around the city, shopping with mom and grandma.  She waved to people all over the place.  There was a group of ladies that saw her waving and loved her outfit.  We told them it was her birthday, so they sang happy birthday to her in the middle of the city.  Sina just ate it all up, smiling and clapping the whole way through.

When we got home, we had dinner and cake.  Obviously, we had to help her blow out the bazillion candles we placed atop her cake.  By then, she'd heard the birthday song for the millionth time, but clapped and smiled even bigger this time.  To say she enjoyed her first piece of cake was an understatement.  She got all nice and messy!

Finally, we ended the day with more presents.

What a day...and we had one happy but tired little angel when it was all said and done.

The best part of it all was that my parents were here to celebrate the day with us.  It was their main reason for coming to visit and I'm so glad they did.  Sadly, today is their last full day here in Germany.  We'll be taking them to the aiport tomorrow morning.  I am dreading it!  We've enjoyed having them here and they'll truly be missed.

Happy Sunday everyone and once again, happy birthday to our darling little girl.  You have brought so much joy into our lives and we love you so very much!