A 1st Birthday Party to Remember!

 

We celebrated Cori’s first birthday on Sunday. Her real birthday is the 28th, but being that it is 3 days after Christmas, I thought it would be best to have her birthday party with her friends a little early. :) Unfortunately, this cold weather has gotten most of our friends sick so we were missing a few important guests, but still had a grand time together!

The theme was pink and orange with lots of flowers since that’s how her room is decorated – with some greens as well. Cori LOVES flowers which is also why we decided to decorate that way. It turned out just beautiful and is a day I will remember forever!!

My amazing husband did her invitation. Let me just pause for a second and brag on my hubby. I wanted to order these invitations on Etsy. David took one look at them and said, “I can do that!” So, he did. And they turned out even better than I could have imagined! He is so good like that – crafty and artsy .. oh, and was such a big help cleaning and preparing the house for the party too! Thank you, honey!! :) I love you!

He also made Cori a birthday video with pictures and videos of her first year of life. It was precious and made me cry. It starts off with a video of me holding her literally seconds after delivery. She was so tiny. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. I can’t believe she will be a year old next week!

Cori’s birthday festivities began at 2 on Sunday. I spent a lot of time leading up to the big day decorating and preparing our home. Because her birthday is during the holiday season, I made sure to take down a lot of our Christmas decorations for her special day. It turned out beautifully! Here are some pictures of the decorations! …

Please come in!

 

Upon entering the front door

 

This special birthday banner that I made hung on the window in our dining room

 

The food table … yum!

We had peanut butter & jelly sandwiches cut out in flower shapes, a fruit tray, pigs in a blanket with Dave’s yummy sauce, buffalo chicken cheese dip with chips, and critter mix (animal crackers, chex, teddy grahams, fruit snacks, cheese its, & raisins).

 

I made cupcakes for all the kids…

 

and a giant sized cupcake for Cori as her smash cake!

 

We had pink lemonade and orange soda to drink to go along with our pink and orange theme. Oh, and some Caprisun’s too! :)

 

We also had 24 balloons thanks to Cori’s daddy. I sent him out the morning of the party to get a few and he came home with 2 dozen, stating that his daughter was more special than a “few balloons.” Ha! They did look great and made the house so festive! Too bad I didn’t take a picture of the bundle before they got disbursed around the house. Cori LOVES balloons and was so excited to see them all. Even after they fell on Monday morning, I kept a few for her to play with on the floor.

The kids had a grand time playing with one another!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Willie trying to give her a hug… too cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a few snacks and play time, it was time for presents!

 

Reading a Tinker Bell card from Mia (my mom)

 

 

This vacuum from my mom may have been the hit of the party. It was the first present she opened and she LOVED it! We had to eventually take it away so she could pay attention to her other presents. Ha!

 

What’s in here mommy?

 

 

In both pictures above she is holding a pair of shoes. This girl loves shoes. She is such a girl already! :) I love it!!

 

 

She also got a Cabbage Patch Doll from Dave’s grandparents and she is completely in LOVE with that doll. It might have even taken precedence over the vacuum. She even had to bring it with her for our family photo! And, it has not left her sight since her party! Ha!

 

 

Now, the much awaited … CAKE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The picture on the left was her initial reaction to everyone singing, “Happy Birthday.” :) But within a few moments, she was soaking it in!

 

Before “she” blew out her candle…

 

and after

 

She started out so prim and proper eating her cake. She would only eat little pieces of frosting and was very particular about NOT getting messy!

 

Someone showed her how to pick up her cake and stick her whole face in it. After a little coaxing, she gave it a try and ended up SUPER messy! :) Oh, and with a Mohawk thanks to her Auntie Amber!

 

Before hitting up the tub, she had a quick photo session with some important family members!

Here she is with her Aunt Lauren and Uncle Lance. They are her God Parents and our very best friends!!

 

Here she is with Mia, Granddaddy, and Aunt Amber.

 

Then it was bath time before our final goodbyes…

 

Look at that water! Yuck!

 

All the kids took home their goodie bags with a special note from Cori.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who made Cori’s 1st birthday party so special. It was a memorable day! She is loved by so many people; near and far. We missed those of you who couldn’t make it, but know she has a special place in your heart.