Party girl

So we had Anya's birthday party on Sunday. This was a sort of dry run for future parties: barring old-age lost marbles, this will be her only birthday ever when she won't know it's her birthday. So it's a good opportunity to make the mistakes that will be unforgiveable by the time she turns two.

It went brilliantly. She's a supremely sociable baby, ahem toddler, and just loves being surrounded by people telling her how special she is. The house never really felt over- or under-crowded. My attempt at making orange jellies failed due to insufficient gelatin but they were rescued as a trifle, and I can inform that when making child-friendly panna cotta it is best to add your hundreds and thousands at the end, because otherwise they dissolve into a pinkish mess.

My boss David's wife Kathy made awesome muffins and all the pizza got eaten. Anya's presents on the day included: mini table and chairs, where she now eats all her meals; a giant tiger teddy, the size of a teenage kid; a tiny cat that wags its tail, which she greeted with a delighted kiss; some beautiful dresses, and a load of books which she already seems to know intimately. Plus a bunch of other stuff.

I swear we're trying not to spoil her. People just can't help giving her things.