finally, the party
The party day finally arrived (are you all sick of all my prep work yet?).
I managed to snap a few photos of Bea with her "1-year-old" sign (this is a good tradition to start on each birthday).
For decorations, I placed little yellow daisies in white IKEA vases and added little bees taped to skewers in each arrangement. I love the Martha Stewart Craft line at Wal-Mart – especially the coasters which I reuse at all my parties underneath the flower arrangements. In this instance, I used daisy coasters underneath the white vases for a bit of decoration on my pale yellow linen tablecloth (the coasters also prevent any unsightly watermarks!). In between the vases, I used orange polka-dotted cupcake liners to hold bright yellow lemonheads.
Once the guests arrived, my oldest daughter instructed the children on how to make simple bee antennae using cloth-covered headbands (purchased at Target), pipe cleaners and pom pom's. Basically, you just twist the pipe cleaners around the headbands and then around the pom pom's – no glue required. It was the easiest craft I could come up with since the guests' ages ranged from under 1, to 6 years old. Lest you think me a control freak, I threw caution to the wind on the color palette here, figuring the kids would like to be creative and choose their own color combinations!
For dinner, I served homemade London Macaroni and Cheese (I swear the adults enjoyed this more than the kids!), turkey ciabatta sandwiches with homemade basil mayonnaise (the rewards of my small herb garden), roasted red pepper hummus and carrots, Ina Garten's Roasted Eggplant Dip and pita chips, and wedges of watermelon.
For dessert, along with the "B" cake and cookies, I needed some height on the table so, at the last minute, I added my favorite brownies and peanut butter-frosted brownies to the mix. It pays to keep desserts on hand in the freezer for last minute emergencies (or late-night snacks!).
The drinks were perfectly color-coordinated orange Izze's (love the packaging!) and, of course, water with cute labels.
After dinner, we played "Pin-the-Wings-on-the-Bee", reserving the blindfold for anyone over the age of 3.
My husband took charge of the game.
Finally, the favors were distributed and all went home happy (I think!). The most important thing was that Bea had a great time and will have many photos to look back on for her first birthday. Now onto the party planning for the 2nd birthday.... (kidding).
09.10.2009
Reader Comments (10)
HOW stinking CUTE!!
I just discovered your blog and I adore it. It truly is inspiring. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas and creations.
I love your blog! Would you mind sharing what fonts you use?
love it! great party. how big does the pin the tail have to be?
I loved seeing all the projects leading up to the party and, of course, all of the party pictures. It was worth the wait!!!
I would also love to know what fonts you used- I love the whole party. What a great first birthday!
Angie! I am so impressed with all these details and so glad you have a blog to follow. All these details are so not the way my brain is hard-wired, so it's nice inspiration for me to think of ways to spruce up my parties. It makes a big impact and I love how naturally good you are at thinking of these things. Thanks for sharing all your ideas- and tell Charles I love his shoe selection for the party. Way to pull grown up dad/ pool side party together. ;-)
Also impressed by your company- you gals are so inspiring!
---liz fuller
unbelievable...
I would love to hear more about the labels, pin the wings on the bee game and gift tags! I'm planning my daughter's bday and you've totally inspired me! Do you make these?
Wow! You definitely hosted a great birthday party! These are awesome party treats!