First Birthday Party

I had a hard time deciding on a theme for Haley's Birthday Party! I figured that I will get to throw many birthday parties in my lifetime. But this is the first one, so I wanted to make it extra special. I wanted the party to focus on something that Haley likes, I looked for ideas online, and I finally settled on an idea. Bedtime stories. Haley loves books, and it would be easy to make play centers that go with different books.

Each play station had a book to go with it.

Instruments- Olivia forms a band

Swinging and flying- Guess how much I love you

Blowing Bubbles- The Rainbow Fish

Blocks- Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do You See?

Balls- What's Wrong Little Pookie?

Dress-Up- Fancy Nancy

Food- The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I had a lot of fun drawing the pictures on the poster boards and coloring them with markers. Most of them I did free hand but Fancy Nancy was a little to complex. (For that one I copied the picture a little bigger, used a window to trace the outline in reverse with a pencil, than colored over the lines to transfer the graphite to the poster.)

We had a grown up food table and a kid table. The grown up food included blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, spinich, tomato, mozerella skewers, and soda. (Even though this was the grown up table I got Haley the berries because they're her favorites)

For the kids table I put cheerios and crackers in little containers for each kid to take home. With a spoon and fork set and a mozerella string cheese stick. We also had juice for sippy cups.

My mom ran to the store to pick up 2 cakes. I had a friend who was going to make haley's cake but life happens and time runs out. But these were pretty cute anyways. My mom wanted the little cake to be Haley's smash cake, but it was way too big for one little baby.

My mom also had my cousin Sarah make tutus for all of the girls at the party. They turned out super cute. Fancy Nancy would have been impressed! The 2 big brothers who came both got cowboy vests and hats.

Haley had fun at her party. She spent a lot of time playing with her Daddy. She loved the ladybug themed instrument that John picked out for her. And, luckily she had her uncles there to remember that even birthday gils get stinky diapers.

Several of Haley's friends came to join in the festivities. there were four 2 year olds, one 1 year old, and two more under 1. plus two little boys, 4 and 6. These are all of Haley's best buddies.

The boys were not shy, they had fun playing dress-up too!

Even some of the Adults got in on the action.

I think one of my favorite parts was walking around and seeing all of the parents reading to their little ones.

When it was time for Cake Haley had no problems digging in to her gigantic piece. This girl knows the good stuff when she sees it.

The little girls in their tutu's were beyond adorable.

They had fun playing with all the toys and each other.

The snack bowl made it easy for each little one to eat when they got hungry.

The swimming pool turned ball pit was a big success. Even the big boys liked it because they could run and jump in.

All in all I would say Haley's Birthday was a wonderful day. I am so thankful for all of the people who came out and made it so special.

And I'm thankful that my little one already has so many sweet friends.