First Birthday- The details

I kind of starting brainstorming ideas for Mary Hyatt's birthday party when she was like 7 or 8 months old.  I had been toying with several ideas but Ben and I both decided that an ice cream party was the best option.  I had an idea of what I wanted the invitation to look like but just had to find someone that could implement it. I had a few examples online but still had some of my own touches that I wanted on it.  Luckily, my friend Jennifer at Talesofapeanut.blogspot.com offered to create them for me.  They turned out SO cute and exactly how I wanted! I was so excited when they came in the mail.  She did an awesome job! Thanks Jennifer!

Here is the front...

and here is the back (I blacked out all of our personal information.)

Unfortunately Ben had to go out of town the entire week leading up to the party.  We tried to get most things taken care of before he left, but I still spent several late nights creating things for the party or making to do lists. Here is one thing that I made.. a happy birthday banner.  I actually think it turned out pretty cute and I plan to keep it and use it at several future birthday parties.

I made this ribbon wreath (thanks to pinterest!) back before we moved houses. It turned out pretty cute, but our red door clashed with it and kind of took away from it some. Also, if I was going to do this again, I would try to find double sided ribbon so that the solid white backs of the ribbon wouldn't show so much.  I still thought it turned out pretty cute though.

I also made these two signs.  The one on the left has one of Mary Hyatt's montly pictures from each month.  The one on the right was just several of my favorite pictures chronologically.  I had originally planned to make a bann with her monthly pictures, but I just ran out of time.  I think this sufficed good enough though.

Somehow I totally forgot to take pictures of the whole set up of the party.  We had it in our backyard. We served BBQ, baked beans, potato salad and chips.  We also set up an ice cream bar.  Originally, I had hoped to have it all set out on the tables when the guests arrived.  However, since we were doing it outside, and since it was super hot outside, I couldn't really live the ice cream or the toppings out for long.  That meant I just threw it all out on the table when everyone was done with lunch.  It all worked out well.  Here is a small glimpse..

Since we were having such a detailed ice cream bar, Ben and toyed with the idea of even having a cake for the guests at the party.  I finally decided that I just couldn't stand to have a birthday party without some kind of cake so I set out to order one, but didn't want to spend a ton of money on it since it wasn't really the focus point of the party.  I had heard that Publix had pretty good cakes and that they offered a free smash cake with your purchase.  When I explained to the bakery what I wanted they said it wouldn't be a problem  I wanted something simple that we really wouldn't have to cut, and I wanted it in the shape of a number 1.  They made this pull apart cupcake cake.   I thought it was perfect.  I was so impressed with Publix.  And, it was at a great price which was even better!

and this was Mary Hyatt's free smash cake...

which she thoroughly enjoyed!! (More on that in the next post!) 

Lastly, I ordered these cute party favors from Etsy.  They were chocolate lollipops in the shape of a number 1. 

I wish I had taken pictures of the actual set up of the party but I guess with all the hustle and bustle, that was far from my mind.  Her party turned out great though and I think she had a good time! Stay tuned for more...