In May we celebrated Jeshua's 1st birthday with a "Jeshua Tree" desert party. The theme befitting because Zade and I visited Joshua Tree National Park when he was in the womb and thus have nicknamed him our little "Jeshua Tree."

Desert scenes on plywood.

Street tacos, lemon cream popsicles, clementines, cheese platter, pistachio stuffed dates, trail mix, and guacamole.

A paint your own cacti craft.

A sandbox "desert" where children could search for burrowed coyotes, lizards, snakes, and tortoises.

The cutest macaron cacti cupcakes.

A little musical production presented by Jeshua's extended family!

Hummingbird cake with wire constellation topper (because the stars are so bright in Joshua Tree) of Draco (because he is our little dragon) and the Little Dipper.

A tent with musical instruments of all kinds for children to make up their own -praise- songs!

I was so caught up with our lovely friends that I forgot to take so many detail photos from the party! I completely missed many of our guests, the street tacos, our musical tent, and most importantly: Jeshua by himself! But, these photos capture some of the spirit of the day and our curious, determined, joyful, chunky, and sweet Jeshua Tree.

In 2016 the U.S. National Parks Service celebrated its 100th birthday and in November of the same year my nephew celebrated his 1st! His parents are outdoorsy sorts of folk. The kind who will spend a week camping whilst pregnant and convince their naive six month pregnant sister to do the same. So, a National Parks Service themed birthday was fitting for their little ranger in training. The waffle iron was ket hot all morning serving brunch to hungry "campers." Partygoers explored the yard, challenged to "spot the bird's nest with binoculars" (hidden in a tree) and "find squirrel's stash" (a pile of acorns) as a part of a scavenger hunt. Kids laughed and danced along with a clever puppet show starring Herbie, a young possum on his journey to give a birthday gift to Levi. We devoured delicious s'more cakes and cupcakes and heard rumors of them being the best cupcakes ever tasted! As friends departed they took home a little bag with a medley of gummies, chocolates, and savory snacks from the trail mix bar. Such a fun way to celebrate our little Ranger Levi!