Valerie's First Birthday Party!

Valerie's first Birthday Party had been on my mind for some time now... and the most difficult part-- coming up with a theme!!! I tossed around tons of ideas... Hungry Caterpillar, Owls, Spring, etc. but ended up going with Zebra & Pink Cupcake!! Strange combo, I know, but hear me out. I was really serious about Hungry Caterpillar for a while, I even drafted an invite and looked online to order some things and I realized that it was REALLY hard to find the stuff unless you wanted to pay an arm and a leg for actual Eric Carl plates, tablecloths, etc. Once I realized how hard it was to come across items I could use, and the thought of possibly making that a really cute boy themed birthday one day, I scratched the idea. Back to the drawing board. I tossed around lots of ideas and toured hobby lobby a few hundred times and saw that there is zebra stuff is EVERYWHERE right now. There is like an entire aisle or two or three at Hobby Lobby devoted to zebra room decor, party decor, flowers, EVERYTHING! And, of course, my love for animal print was able to be incorporated. Then I ran with the theme, checking out pinterest, snapfish for invites, & etsy and saw lots of pink cupcake zebra things- a new door opened... CUPCAKES! Another theme to run with. And that is the story of the theme choice. Now for some pictures.

I wanted to share the month-by-month photos I've taken of Val, so I made each into a zebra cupcake and strung them from some zebra lights on our mantle!

 

Our little family with the birthday girl! 

Showing off her tricks for the camera... Valerie is SO BIG!!

I also saw some "Zebra pretzels" on pinterest which gave me the idea of a black, white & pink candy bar.. That was all the inspiration I needed to run with this idea!

The kids got these "cupcake" mason jars-made with caulk (idea/tutorial on pinterest) to take their candy home in. 

We had M&Ms, Sixlets, Good & Plenty, Sno Caps, Bubble Gum Chocolate covered pretzels and marshmallows, sugar candy sticks and homemade zebra puppy chow. 

I ordered cupcakes for the adults and made Valerie's smash cake myself using a giant cupcake pan. I had to do a couple trials to make sure the real thing would turn out right!

I made a little banner for her high chair to add a little color during smash cake photos. I know, I have too much time on my hands. 

Quit singing and just give me that cake!

Kids got the chance to decorate their own cupcakes and we had some pretty interesting designs!

Tons of guests showed up wearing the theme colors! Both grandmas, cousins & me of course had a little zebra or pink in our outfits ;-). I have the most festive family and I LOVE it!

I didn't get any pictures of the meal but we had a Taco Bar and Margs, which worked out well except for all of the dishes! Phew! I made the taco meat and chopped all of the toppings in advance and made rice and heated tortillas right before guests arrived. Of course, chips & queso was a staple before dinner was served!

One other thing I didn't get a picture of, our new birthday tradition! I wanted to get a pic of her in her party outfit next to the mailbox but I ran out of time! Her cute outfit the next day worked out just fine, though! 

Can't wait to see how she changes by next year! I'm already stressing out about the theme!! ;-)

Valerie's First Birthday

On Valerie's actual birthday, it was just us for most of the day because it was Chad's late night to work. I tried to make the day extra special for her, which began with breakfast! Chad's mom came over and brought a cupcake for her to enjoy as well!

Her breakfast (of choice) was funfetti pancakes with whipped cream ;-).

It was a beautiful day so we spent some time outside with Scarlet tossing tennis balls, and picking things out of the grass.

Then Valerie decided to share her graham cracker with Scarlet. How nice.

An episode of Bubble Guppies was in order!

If she could speak, she would TOTALLY choose Nini's spaghetti and avocado for dinner! Some of her favorites!

Of course, we had to sing to her once again when Daddy was there!

Then we went to watch Daddy play soccer and had some serious walking practice!

After Valerie went to bed we celebrated surviving our first year of parenthood! I'd say we're doing OK!

Valerie's Birthday Eve!

Our baby girl turned one! We wanted to do something special for her birthday, and Chad got off early the day before so we went down to the Newport Aquarium! Valerie loved it because she was able to stroll around and eat snacks while occasionally catching a glimpse of a bright fish swimming by her.

The penguins were so neat to watch. For both of us!

A HUGE crab! Look to Val for a size comparison!

Daddy <3.

 She enjoyed the bright colored lights and when the fish swam over her head in the tunnel!

 Watching birdies hop around! I was so worried one was going to land on her!

After the Aquarium we had dinner and gave Valerie her first fro-yo experience. She was thrilled!!! (So much so that she didn't take her eyes off of it from the moment it was placed on the table!)

Here is our gorgeous girl

So big!!!