A party for Bloom's First Birthday
March 30, 2005

We had foaling shower for her mom when we were expecting Bloom,
so why not have a 1st birthday party for her?

What a difference a year can make! It was a beautiful , sunny afternoon March 30th, 2005. A small, select group of friends and family gathered to celebrate the 1st birthday of my little yearling, Bloom. Even Bloom's miniature horse friends attended.

Last year, about this same time, most of the same group (and more!) were gathered to see Bloom take her first outing into the paddock with her mom, Blossom. Boy, has she grown!

And so much has changed - she's all show -seasoned, her mom's away in Indiana being bred for a 2006 foal, and the weather was absolutely beautiful - warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt where last year we were all bundled up. Oh, and Bloom is ALOT bigger!

Melissa Christian with Princess, Deb Messner with Jammer, Sheila Weldon with Romeo, Polly Cleveland with Bloom, and Tammy Breckenridge with Dash.

What would a party be without presents? Bloom gets into the whole open the present gig. And she definitely approves of the "Miniature with Attitude" sign - even pointing to it in the photo at right!

And being the good mother I am, I went online and found a recipe for a horse-safe birthday cake. It's simply molassas and oats but Bloom approved. I let her have the first bite, utensils free, just like lots of people so with their 1-year old children. Notice the one little carrot that was her "candle" (Note : the humans had treats, too, of pizza and cheese cake!)

Notice that Bloom had a special little birthday hat that said she was one year old. All the other horses and handlers got to don party hats as well!

After Bloom's first bites, she shared with all her horsey friends. They all agreed it was muzzle-licking good! Look at those messy muzzles - there was molassas EVERYWHERE when they were done - on their halters, lead ropes, necks, and on the handlers too!
Thanks to all that attended. We had a great time. Here's to many more years of miniature horse fun!