First birthday party
Theme: Love bugs
Colors: Red, black and white
Setting: Golf clubhouse
Season: Summer
Guests: 25
We celebrated my daughter's first birthday with a lady bug (love bug) inspired party.
About a year before my wedding my dad started pressuring me about having a baby. He loves children and really wanted another grandchild. (My brother has two daughters) My response was... "Dad, I want to be married first." That stopped the questioning for a few weeks until the day we got back from our honeymoon. My dad continued to inquire about having a grandchild. I told him I wanted to be married for a while before we started a family. My dad passed away a couple weeks later.
My mom came to visit us a couple months after that. While on a shopping trip we stopped by the baby section and I noticed this small pink blanket with the words "Little Love bug" on it. My eyes filled tears... my dad started calling me Junebug when I was a girl. And, he said he would call my daughter lovebug. I had to get it. I remember feeling a little silly about doing that since I "wasn't" pregnant but it was the first time I had seen anything with lovebug on it.
Several weeks later I realized I had all the symptoms of being pregnant. After taking a pregnancy test my suspicion was confirmed. The doctor told me that I got pregnant the week of my dad's birthday. And, I was pregnant the day I found the blanket.
Having a lady bug themed celebration was perfect.
We set up a sweets table filled with candy, cupcakes, dirt cake and bubbles in lady bug containers. I attached red and white wrapping paper to the wall and constructed a name banner.
I made several food options with lady bugs on them including these crackers with cream cheese, tomatoes and olives.
This chalkboard was used as a backdrop for the gifts area. We filled it with her milestones and favorites. Guests also played a couple games including How well do you know Audrey? And, What can Audrey do?
We asked our guests to fill out their favorite memories of Audrey. These were placed in a time capsule that she'll open when she's 18. The table had a framed sign that said, "Share your special memories and wishes with Audrey. We've created so many special memories over the past 12 months, but let's face it, she won't remember them. We're asking for your help in holding on to those precious moments. Write your favorite memory of Audrey. We'll give these to her on her 18th birthday - Aug. 17, 2030.
We put newborn photos of Audrey on every table with a small lady bug and red gerber daisies.
These dirt cake shooters were a big hit. I put dirt cake in these individual cups and created a lady bug out of M&Ms.
At the sweets table we had a little note from Audrey attached to each of the bags that said "Thank you for making my first birthday so special. Love, Audrey."
Even the smash cake had a lady bug on it.
Audrey was so excited about her smash cake. I loved the lady bug tutu for her high chair. And, she loved having the balloons so close.
Our guest book was a photo book of our favorite photos of Audrey's first year separated into each month. The back four pages were used for guests to sign.
*Photography: David Albers
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