the sparkly life: first birthday

Thursday, March 10, 2016

My Little Sunshine Birthday Party

As I mentioned a few days ago, my daughter just turned six. Her party is this weekend, but since it will likely be awhile until I show you those pictures, I thought it might be the perfect time to take a look way back at the first party I ever threw for her.

Five years ago, when she turned one, I didn't have a blog. I didn't have Instagram. I wasn't worried about creating Pinterest-worthy content. I just wanted to throw a fun party. And I ended up throwing a pretty darn cute one if I do say so myself!

The theme was My Little Sunshine, because it used to be one of my favorite songs to sing to her. (BTW, am I the only person who finds that song kind of depressing? It totally makes me cry!)

At the party, we had yellow desserts (macarons homemade by my mom!), sunshine-themed drinks (Sol beer!), and lots of sunny decor (loved this easy-to-clean checked tablecloth! Plus, it was pretty convenient that our dining room--we lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn back then--was already painted yellow.)

The favors for the adults were sun-shaped cookies (made by my mom!); the kids got little sand pails with a stuffed duckie, a finger puppet, and the cookies.

My daughter had her first taste of cupcake that day. And I had my first taste of planning a birthday party.

And now we're both hooked. :)

What do you guys think? And can anyone guess the theme for my daughter's sixth birthday party this weekend? (Here's a hint: It's a mash-up of two themes...)

Want more? Click here to check out my daughter's fourth birthday party (Frozen!) and her fifth birthday party (mermaids!). Plus, here's my son's first birthday party (a nautical theme!).

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Ahoy Nate-y! A Nautical First Birthday Party

Considering my son is now 18 months old, it's more than a little embarrassing that I'm just now getting around to posting pictures from his first birthday party! I'm not sure why I've been dragging my feet. Maybe it's because, once they're out there, my little boy really isn't a baby anymore. Once the photos are published, his first birthday is no longer something that's hanging out there in the ether. That first taste of cupcake, that little sailor suit--it will all no longer be something that's frozen in time, but rather, something that's happened. Something that's in the past. But, that's life, right? My baby turned one and here's how we celebrated.

For the festivities, we decided to throw a nautical-themed party, which I playfully dubbed, "Ahoy Nate-y!" The early-May weather cooperated, so we were able to have the party in our backyard, which I was so, so happy about.

To go along with the nautical, New-England-y theme, I made homemade lobster rolls, then served them alongside potato salad, watermelon-feta-and-bacon salad (my own recent invention!), baked beans, chicken fingers, pigs n' a blanket (a must for any party in our house!), berries, goldfish crackers, Lifesavers, red-white-and-blue cupcakes, blondies, brownies, lemonade, and--one of my favorite touches--Anchor Steam beer.

For favors, adults left with anchor- and boat-shaped frosted sugar cookies (made by my mom!), while the kids walked away with little red or blue metal pails (thank you, Target dollar section) loaded with boat-shaped bath squirties, cookies, personalized Hershey Kisses, anchor stickers, and Wikki Stix.

I love throwing these parties so much! Inevitably, I take on too much, stress myself out like crazy, but then love the results. Part of me can't wait for the next one, but a bigger part of me says, no--stay one forever, little guy.

So, what do you guys think?