I had a few signs made that I distributed around the party on little easels...
{Blogged while trial prepping, and planning Hudson’s third birthday!} I had this post written within a few weeks of Hudson’s first birthday party and I cant even remember why I never pushed post on this. (This is a standard occurrence in my world. For every blog post that actually goes live, there are dozens that sit in draft as I hum and haw over them). Let me tell you a new mantra I’ve adopted- good enough is #goodenough. Whatever I wanted to tweak with this thing is staying as is. If a few more years of being a mom has impressed anything upon me, its that the extra time we need for whatever we think we need it for is never going to materialize. After this, I will post about his second birthday (cowboy giddy up!) and his party that I am holding near the end of August (choo choo trains). And remember- I love to party plan-its my (rare) creative release. But you don’t need anything besides a big hug to let the people in your life know what they mean to you I loved this party so much that I wanted to post about it, especially if it can inspire any other mamas who are party planning!!! So, without further ado, here we go!
A very big deal occurred in our little family...Hudson had his first birthday! If you are a parent, you know how this milestone feels. It's the culmination of a years worth of sleepless nights and worry and hope and pride and pure shining joy, all rolled up into one celebration! I want my family and friends around me whenever I can and so for Huds party, I knew the guest list would be long. I start thinking about parties around six-months in advance and since Huds is a summer baby (my daughter's birthday is in February, completely precluding outside parties) - I knew I wanted to take full advantage of our beautiful weather. I wanted a BBQ type feeling and that led me to a County Fair theme. Please know that I KNOW I am a lunatic about birthday parties. Does any child need all of this hoopla or over-the-top celebration? Of course not. And my husband and I spend a lot of time as parents trying to teach humility and graciousness and gratitude all throughout the year. But dang it, if I can turn any event into a party, I sure as heck will and there is no better excuse than a first birthday, amiright?
At the time I was planning this party, there were other REALLY big things going on in my life that took up pretty much all of my time (i.e., I was opening my own law firm!) and I knew I wouldn't be able to give this party my usual care and attention. My mom is my party-planning side-kick and so she jumped in to help! We also used an AMAZING party crafter who will basically listen to your ideas and help execute them. I don't know why but party planning is really a passion of mine and it's fun! For months, my mom and I work together on the details and then the day of the party, my (kind, super understanding, indulgent to my whim) friends and family come to help set it all up and it becomes just a really fun time. When I am thinking about any kind of get together, I really want to create an amazing experience for our guests-- little details and treats and fun. Hudson's first birthday was an absolute joy for us and I hope it was for everyone who attended!
This dessert table was the focal point of the room and it was so cute! I had everything on there I could think of that that was fair-related-- mini apple pies, whoppee pies, donuts, soft-pretzels, sugar-cookies, cupcakes, candy, caramel apples, and the yummy cake!
Here we are with the birthday boy and my sweet mama!
These beautiful mamas are so wonderful!
Huds wanted to get down and play with the animals at the petting zoo ( I was afraid he would just eat the hay!) Also, matchy matchy foreevvaaaa!
Seriously, how cute are these cookies?? My go-to for all things dessert related is @societysweets.
I had big rubber stamps made and I used them on the bags and on the favor boxes- such an easy way to personalize and tie in the details.
Lots of good old fashioned games to play!
I LOVE baby horses!
Some of my very favorite faces in the whole world!
Let me tell you, he didn't just use his hands- this baby boy LUNGED for that sugar! Atta boy Huddy! Mama is so proud!
My beauties!!!!
Umm, tiny applie pies, glazed donuts and candy apples? Yesssss!
Our goodie bags were actually homemade apple pies that everyone took with them (in full disclosure, made in someone else’s home but still!) :)
This theme was just too cute!
These are pictures of Huds on little foam backers- such a cute idea!
Love all of our friends and neighbors who came to celebrate my sweet boy.
I mean…:)
My children are so lucky to have their GiGi!