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Kate’s 1st Birthday Party!

February 9, 2011 By Dusty Rogers 34 Comments

Even before Kate was born G told me he didn’t want to have a party for her first birthday–his argument being that she’d never remember it anyway.

“But we’ll remember it!” I pleaded.
“She’ll see the pictures someday!” I added.
“The 1st birthday party is really a celebration of us making it through the first year of parenting,” I tried reasoning.

Nothing I said helped so I backed off thinking, Once she’s here he’ll totally change his mind.

He didn’t.

I brought the topic up again when Kate was about six months old, and again he said he didn’t want to make a fuss out of her first birthday.  I tried all my powers of persuasion but the man didn’t budge.  “Fine,” I finally huffed. “But I’m still going to make her a cake and put up birthday decorations–even if it is only going to be a party of three!”

When G makes up his mind there’s no changing it, so I didn’t bring it up again.

One afternoon in November, when Kate was almost eleven months old and finally nearing the end of her Horrible Awful Recovery from her cleft palate repair, G turned to me and said, “I’ve changed my mind about Kate’s first birthday.  I think we should have a party.  After everything she’s been through she deserves a party.  We all deserve a party.  Kate is such a strong, loving, and incredible little girl, and her life is a precious gift that should be celebrated!  What better way than on her very first birthday?!  P.S.  You’re the most amazing mom ever.  Let’s have ten more babies.”

Okay, fine, he didn’t really say that.    But I’m pretty sure he was thinking it.  What he actually said was this:  “I’ve changed my mind about Kate’s first birthday.  I think we should have a party.”  And then he futilely added:

“Just don’t go overboard.”

HA!  Famous last words.

Kate's Colorful 1st Birthday Party! | www.allthingsgd.com

Welcome to the party!

first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms
first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms

 

Kate’s first birthday was on a Sunday so we had the party on her actual birthday.  I made a video slideshow of photos from Kate’s first year to play at the party, and wanted to add a birthday picture at the end so we had a little photo shoot that morning.

The birthday girl!

first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms
I made Kate’s tutu, and her personalized shirt is from The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe.
first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms
Kate discovered tissue paper while helping me decorate from Christmas and she loved it (video here), so I decided to use tissue paper for her party decorations and made a bunch of the Martha Stewart tissue paper pom poms.  These were medium-sized poms that I made into garland strands to hang in the kitchen, topped with a beautiful birthday banner that my friend Allison made for Kate.  It was perfect!
first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms, DIY birthday party bunting

I made Kate’s polka-dot highchair cover out of a pillowcase, and used the matching sheet as a tablecloth for the kitchen table.

DIY high chair cover, first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms
first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms

Large tissue paper poms hung over the kitchen island:

tissue poms chandelier, tissue poms ceiling decoration, first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms

 

This “K” was a last-minute addition that I decoupaged with leftover scraps of paper:

DIY birthday party decorations, first birthday party, colorful birthday party

 

Kate’s monthly onesies on display:

monthly onesies, first birthday party, first birthday party decorations, colorful birthday party
Monthly onesies wall display, first birthday party, colorful birthday party

I made cupcakes for the guests…

first birthday party, colorful birthday party

 

…and a matching smash cake for Kate:

first birthday party cake, colorful birthday party cake, sprinkles birthday party cake, DIY bunting cake topper
first birthday party cake, colorful birthday party cake, sprinkles birthday party cake, DIY bunting cake topper
We decided to make Kate’s party one huge “playdate” for her (and we had a ton of kids there!) so I wanted the food to be geared more toward kids, but with things parents would like as well. I made mini pigs in a blanket, homemade macaroni and cheese, apple crisp, a veggie tray, and fruit salad.
first birthday party, colorful birthday party, tissue poms, first birthday party food

A big hit was this “kiddie” snack tray filled with baby puffs, animal crackers, Goldfish crackers, and bunny-shaped graham crackers:

children's snack tray, birthday party snack tray, first birthday party, colorful birthday party, birthday party food

We had juice boxes and water for the kids…

first birthday party, colorful birthday party, birthday party food and drinks

 

…and wine and champagne cocktails for the adults:

first birthday party, colorful birthday party, birthday party food and drinks
Last but not least, I made chocolate and vanilla cake pops for party favors, which were a big hit!
cake pops, first birthday party, colorful birthday party, birthday party food

Kate, enjoying a snack:

1st birthday party, first birthday party
A couple of very proud parents (and one squirmy little girl)!
1st birthday party

Kate & Mama:

1st birthday party, first birthday party, mother and daughter

Kate loved her birthday cake!

first birthday party cake, colorful birthday party cake, sprinkles birthday smash cake
first birthday party cake, colorful birthday party cake, sprinkles birthday smash cake
first birthday party smash cake, colorful birthday party cake, sprinkles birthday smash cake
It meant a lot to me to make as much as I could for Kate’s first birthday party and I did it all in just one week–including taking down all of our Christmas decorations first!  I was so excited to give Kate a personalized party, and it was gladly worth all the time and effort.  The day was truly everything I hoped it would be–a fun and festive celebration of Kate’s first year!
first birthday party cake, colorful birthday party cake, sprinkles birthday smash cake, tissue poms, first birthday party decorations
Party’s over.  Bedtime for this tired Mama!

 

Check out Kate’s Room Revisited to see how I reused decorations from her birthday party in her bedroom!

Magenta nursery, tissue poms ceiling, pink and purple nursery, tree decal nursery

Kate’s nursery – updated with decorations from her first birthday party!

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Comments

  1. 1
    Nani says:
    February 9, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    Wow I am seriously loving all of the colors and it seems like Kate had a great time!!

    Reply
  2. 2
    Ashley says:
    February 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    With only a month to plan you did a great job!!!! Everything looks like so much fun, and Kate is so adorable.

    I love the cake stand (footed bowl thing) in the last picture. Where did you find that one?

    Reply
  3. 3
    k says:
    February 9, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    You did an amazing job – what a party! Happy birthday to the little miss!

    Reply
  4. 4
    Jeane says:
    February 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    WOW!!! Everything looks amazing!!!
    I love the decoration. It’s beautiful.

    Great job!

    Reply
  5. 5
    E says:
    February 9, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    What an adorable party! I love all the colors you used and how you displayed all of her monthly onesies!

    Kate looked like she had a blast! Enjoy year #2!

    Reply
  6. 6
    Kate says:
    February 9, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Everything looks awesome! My daughter is only 15 weeks old and I wish time would just slow down for a minute, but sometimes I can’t help but think about how fun planning her first birthday party will be!

    Reply
  7. 7
    Jill says:
    February 9, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Adorable! The onesies are a great idea!

    What program did you use to create the sign on the door?

    Reply
  8. 8
    Staci M.W. says:
    February 9, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    You guys are amazing. Everything is so colorful and happy, I love it. What a cute and loving little family!!! This is what the world needs more of!

    Reply
  9. 9
    katek says:
    February 9, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    What a visual feast of color! Looks like the birthday girl had a great time too!

    Reply
  10. 10
    Kiersten says:
    February 9, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    I love all the colors! And I am SO impressed that you cooked and created everything yourself, while juggling work, childcare, etc. Amazing job!

    Reply
  11. 11
    Chris and Erica says:
    February 9, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Super, super adorable. Glad your hubs changed his mind!

    Reply
  12. 12
    Katie says:
    February 9, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    What a fun party!! Love the idea of using the sheet and pillowcase for a tablecloth and highchair cover.

    Reply
  13. 13
    Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says:
    February 9, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    This is adorable! I love the onesies display from the first year. Love the colors and the poms on the front door.

    Reply
  14. 14
    SweDaisy says:
    February 9, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    Happy Birthday Kate! You did a wonderful job with the party. I’m glad G changed his mind. Everything looked wonderful.

    Take care,
    Lisa

    Reply
  15. 15
    Anonymous says:
    February 9, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Thank God he caved! That is just about the sweetest, craftiest, and most thoughtful baby party I have seen in a while. (And I look at all those Ohdeedoh party pics too, so I know what I am talking about!) I LOVED the onesie display, and your careful attention to detail on every portion of the party. Your menu sounds scrumptious too. I am so proud of you, honey! There, I said it, in case G didn’t. (I hope he did!)

    Kate DID deserve that party, and she is a very lucky girl to have a mommy who got to unleash her party-planning beast.

    jbhat

    Reply
  16. 16
    Ginger says:
    February 9, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    You are so creative!! Bed sheets for decor?! And is it me or do the sheets match her outfit??

    LOVE the onesies hung on the wall and the pom-poms. You should go into party planning :-)

    Hapy birthday Kate!

    Reply
  17. 17
    Lexie says:
    February 9, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    Looks perfectly perfect for a one year old’s party. Glad the husband came around.

    Reply
  18. 18
    Donor Egg Bank Mom says:
    February 9, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    That is such a nice party. As you said, although she may not remember the party it’s something that she’ll be able to look back at, and what great pictures she has to look back at. Happy Birthday to her and congratulations to you two :)

    Reply
  19. 19
    Jill says:
    February 9, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Too sweet and I love that he finally caved!

    Love all the decor! Great job!

    Reply
  20. 20
    angi says:
    February 10, 2011 at 12:44 am

    Lovely! my son’s first birthday is in June. I want it to be low-key, but I’m alreay worried about getting everything ready and together!

    Reply
  21. 21
    Raven says:
    February 10, 2011 at 1:43 am

    New follower and I love your blog! That is one too cute daughter you have! Love the birthday decorations and actually, I have two boys that are two years apart, and their bdays are in about 3 weeks and I sent my sister a picture of those cupcakes you made and asked her to make them for my kids’ party. Love the blog!

    Reply
  22. 22
    Megan says:
    February 10, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    Love the party pics! Love the colors and the bright pretty-ness of it all, without the overdone “themey-ness” so many kids parties get. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  23. 23
    TheFiveDays says:
    February 10, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    Stopping by from IHeart Organizing…what a gorgeous job you did decorating for Kate’s party! I LOVE those tissue paper pom poms! What a cute idea! :)

    Reply
  24. 24
    Nicole says:
    February 11, 2011 at 3:08 am

    What fun! I love Kate’s hair. It’s the reverse of my daughter’s! 😉

    Reply
  25. 25
    Anonymous says:
    February 11, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    love the pom poms! were they hard? where did you buy the tissue paper for the large ones?

    Reply
  26. 26
    noahsarkia says:
    February 11, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    I’m so glad G changed his mind and you had a party! The first year really needs to be celebrated! Love the poms, I totally want to try making those for my daughters 5 birthday this year. You did an awesome job with everything!

    Reply
  27. 27
    carO__ says:
    February 11, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    Ive had my fair share of making those pom poms so I must say GO YOU for making so many! The small ones can be so tricky! The poms above the food look huge and a adorable, I love them!
    What a cheap fun way to make a pop at a party!

    Congrats on your first year :)

    Reply
  28. 28
    Anonymous says:
    February 11, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Hello,
    I am a long time lurker. This is one of the best parties I have seen. Not overboard, like your husband said.But it shows that you put your love into it. Where did you get the K that you decoupaged? Thanks- shelly

    Reply
  29. 29
    The Yates Family says:
    February 12, 2011 at 3:12 am

    Um, is it mean of me to say you’re an ass?! Sorry! You’re an ass. You put my son’s first birthday party to shame. I am feeling less than competent to plan another party.ever.again! Not to mention a shabby mother. Thanks!

    Just kidding (a little bit). The party looked AMAZING! That was just jealousy talking :) Great work.

    Reply
  30. 30
    Jenny says:
    February 12, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    Wow, you did an amazing job! Everything looks beautiful, I bet it was a great first birthday for Kate!

    Reply
  31. 31
    Leah says:
    February 17, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Oh my goodness! Love the wall of onesies! Such a sweet daughter you have, love how she went at the cake! Happy birthday Kate!

    Reply
  32. 32
    Sabrina says:
    February 22, 2013 at 9:38 am

    you did a wonderful job! love the pictures

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Personalized Playroom Art & Photo Display Wall says:
    September 23, 2013 at 1:16 am

    […] I framed one of Kate’s paintings.  Below that is the “K” I decoupaged for her first birthday party, and a personalized picture frame that G gave me when Kate was born, which holds one of our first […]

    Reply
  2. The Month of Kate says:
    July 26, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    […] Kate’s Colorful 1st Birthday Party […]

    Reply

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