We celebrated Max's first birthday Saturday and simulataneously celebrated the new backyard and patio. Max had a good old time.....until the cake came out. A bit intimidated and confused by the sudden synchronicity of loud singing voices, he burst into tears, denying himself his first shot at icing and choclate cake (Will, of course, had no such issues). Only mom could calm Max down enough to provide him (and us) the pleasure of sugar-coated cheeks. Well-wishers crafted chalk messages for Max on the new concrete wall and the week-old grass held up well to light to moderate child play, some dodgeball, soccer, rolling around, and experiments concerning the anti-gravitational pull of helium filled baloons.