Emma turns One

Happy 1st Birthday

We survived our first birthday party!! Although I ran out of time and didn't end up decorating the deck and backyard as I had planned - I think Emma had a good time, so job well done!! Right? You'd think after one year of being a parent I'd learn that nothing ever goes according to plan. Thanks to this horrid weather we're having, we're stuck indoors and I finally had some down time to go through my photos. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take photos of every detail, but I'm actually happy about that coz that means I was enjoying the party too :)


I didn't want to cook too much for the event but I was definitely set on baking her first birthday cake!


Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousse filling and frosted with Chocolate buttercream!


I wish I could say she devoured the cake but it seems that little Ems isn't too keen on chocolate...


...she was more interested in eating the party blowers


Rather than having set activities and games for the kids, we put out a box of random things like balls and rackets, couple of baby pools (thanks Z!), portable slide (thanks Karen!) a slip n' slide... (this was a lot easier since their ages varied so much)


... a radio flyer (thanks Melis!)


Some of the boys brought their Nintedo DSs which kept them entertained


My personal favorite was this makeshift tent we made out of a sheet and some rope (aka THE TENT OF POSSIBILITIES). I stocked it with various arts & crafts supplies (wooden spools, fabric scraps, popsicle sticks, chenille pipe cleaners, markers, glue etc and household items like empty toilet paper/paper towel rolls). The girls were pretty much in the tent for hours and it was so much fun watching them come out with the most brilliant things - I wish I had taken photos of some of their art work!


I decided to give each kid a lunch box. I made my own lunchables - popcorn chicken in paper cones, cheese & crackers, rice cereal treat dipped in chocolate and shaped like a popsicle and carrots so the parents didn't kill me! I also had kiddie box drinks and IZZE drinks available for the kids. The adults ate yummy sandwiches and chips from Crane's Deli, one of our favorite food shops in the village.


I used some leftover Nice Package supplies to package the kiddie lunches. Luckily the napkins were the perfect size to use as a topper!


As I mentioned, I ran out of time to decorate and put the finishing touches but I did manage to make a cupcake garland to go with my red/white picnic theme


Each kid also received a customized giveaway box filled with random toys and some of my favorite candy that remind me of my own childhood (poprocks and fun-dip)


As hard as it was to plan and execute this simple party, I'm still excited and looking forward to planning her next birthday party :)