Graham's First Birthday

Since it has been some time since I posted, I figured as I begin again I should take you back.  So let's go back to Graham's first birthday.  Just like Addie, Graham's first birthday fell on a Saturday so we were really excited.  I decided on a whale theme, because I think whales are about the cutest thing.  I never had this fascination before but for some reason, I love whales.  I made the cutest invitation but can't locate the picture file at this time.

I decided to make the food related to our whale theme.  We had sea shells (tortilla chips) along with caviar (cowboy caviar).

Along with seaweed dip (spin & artichoke dip).

The sea urchin (sweet meatballs) were a big hit!

Sea anemone (broccoli slaw) is a big favorite of mine.

Chicken of the seashells (chicken salad) was also a big hit for the adults.

While sea snails (pigs in a blanket) were a big hit with the kiddos.

Addie and I painted the whale sign that we hung above the gift table the day before his party.

I made the cupcakes and coordinated them with the colors of the party.  His cake should have been sitting in the spot on the table but the icing was in serious danger of melting off his cake.

My girlfriend helped make the sign above, however he was not 28lbs at one.  I misjudged and we hadn't gone for his year check yet.  He was actually 23lbs.

Miss Addie spent her time watching cartoons while we set up.

I wish it was warm enough for shorts and tanks right now.

Unlike Addie, Graham was ready to eat cake.  So much so that I barely made it to him and the tray locked down for him to begin.

It's much easier to bring your face to the cake than the cake to your face.  Everyone had a great time, especially Graham who didn't even nap the entire day.  Caused for a cranky night, but how many times do you turn one?!

-stephanie

Addie's 3rd Birthday Party

My little baby girl turned 3!  I can't believe it.  So much has changed in 3 years, she's starting to look like such a little girl.

I love her little dress.  I found it on one of those discount sites, either Jane.com or Groopdealz.com.  I need to find another reason for her to wear it.

When I asked her what type of birthday party she wanted, she said she wanted an ice cream birthday.  So off to Pinterest I went for ideas.

 

Cupcakes. Literally so easy really.  Just bake a box of cupcakes and pipe the icing on in fun colors and then add the waffle cone to the bottom to make it look like a giant ice cream cone.

I wanted to keep the food simple and easy since dessert would be more work.  Subway foot long subs, veggie pizza, pasta salad and chips.  Subway has party platters but honestly they're ridiculously expensive for the amount you get.  So we bought about 8 foot longs and were lucky enough that January was all foot longs $5.

An ice cream sundae bar was a requirement for this party.  We had nearly 20 people at the party and I knew I didn't want to spend a lot of time setting this up during the party nor did I want to spend a lot of time scooping ice cream.  So I did the set up the night before and covered the paper with a white plastic table cloth.  I scooped the ice cream a couple hours before the party and popped them back in the freezer until we were ready to build.

 The cups & wooden spoons were ordered off Etsy.  All the toppings were picked up at Target or at Meijer.

 It was all such a hit.  Addie was in heaven and everyone really enjoyed building the sundae of their choosing.

We may do the ice cream bar again for parties in the summer.  So much fun!

-stephanie