strawberry ice cream social

eloise's first birthday party was this past saturday. it was SO much fun, despite the ridiculously chilly weather! the chill didn't stop the kids from playing in the water table in the yard for half the party though :)

i made up the invites a couple of months ago, and while i don't really consider myself a "crafty" person at all- i have ideas & sometimes i can figure out a way to actually create them :) we tried to keep the party a bit smaller, realizing that many of our friends, particularly our friends without kids, have other ways to fill their saturday afternoons than attending a first birthday party :) i'm learning things with the more birthday parties i host-

we made her thank you's in advance, too :)

jon's dad [GDad] came over early & snapped some great shots of the set-up-

we tied these balloons to little garden planters stuffed with strawberry candies & called it good for favors-

& my mom insisted on making these strawberry party hats- they were a hit! [she made a few boys ones, sans lace, too:)]

fun banner that read "berry happy birthday eloise"!

strawberry shortcake bar with homemade shortcakes, strawberry filling & whipped cream-

strawberry ice cream station-

eloise's mini-cake

this highchair tulle skirt was used for lucy's first birthday party, too!

my mom has started the tradition of making a door wreath for each of her grandchildren's birthday parties- i have lucy's first two saved & will cherish this one, too ... & given that it's strawberry season, i plan to leave it hanging on our front door for several weeks :)

happy birthday to you, eloise! good thing big sister was there to help blow out the candle & make a wish :) [lucy's decided she's a big fan of having a little sister who has birthdays...]

eloise enjoyed the buttercream frosting most of all :)

lucy & aunt alli after the bash-

& we've started a family tradition with lucy, and now eloise, that we ask for a book or toy donation to the lee ann britain infant development center for birthdays, rather than gifts. after lucy's first birthday party gift overwhelment, jon & i realized how important it is to us that we teach our children the importance of giving back to our community. & birthdays are a great opportunity to give back & feel so good about it!

eloise & i brought the goods by the britain center this morning afer her one year appointment- we are really so grateful to everyone who joined in donating books & toys to this great group of kids!

& for the road- GDad snapped a pic of our brand new landscaping! with the exception of the magnolia tree in the front (which i am so SO excited to blossom!), all of the plants & grasses are native to kansas-

it was such a special day for our special girl. i can't believe eloise is one already! where does the time go?

xoxo,

-ivy