Ezra turned one

With my other children I planned these lavish birthday parties that were full of as much toxin-free snacks, party favors and the best pinterest DIY decorations as any stay-at-home mom could muster. Their cakes were made with gluten-free flour, no sugar and breast milk "icing", topped with berries as "decorations". Ezra's was slightly different in the fact that I planned it at my good friend's gluten free bakery, she made him a cake (with sugar gasp!) and the decorations were coloring sheets, balloons, bubbles, banners and a table runner that seconded as a "speedway" for little cars that scattered the table.

I didn't invite many people because Ezra was turning one. But with a family this size we ended up with nearly 25 people. Family, and couple of Ezra's "friends" (or children under 5). "Dad" was invited but didn't show.

This was of course before I was clued into the fact that Ezra had autism or any sensory processing issues. And boy, oh boy, did my boy hate every minute of this party.

He didn't like the noise, the balloons, the kids, the cake, the wrapping paper or the presents. Hell! He didn't like ME at the party. And no! I am not joking. Papa-man was the only being he clung to. I have only a couple pictures of Ezra not crying and I am pretty sure there is more than one only because they were taken in sequence.

Ezra's favorite -and maybe only- thing he liked about his birthday party was papa-man holding him while the bubble machine spewed out dozens of bubbles, while all of the other children played a safe distance away.

His own little bubble filled world.

(Look at that hilarious tuft of hair by his ear! Sweet baby squeezes, he's cute!)