I had very different plans for our Baby girl's first birthday party. That's for sure.
That doesn't mean that it didn't end up being lots of fun and a beautiful memory.
Mostly for the adults of course since the birthday girl will most likely not remember her special day.
On her birthday we had been in quarantine or stay-at-home state, not seeing friends and family much (except for in our drive-ways and on our porches) for around 6 weeks. Masks were worn in public places. All but essential business were closed. Schools had been closed and on her birthday it was announced that they wouldn't reopen for the rest of the academic year.
So, we didn't have the party we planned to have. With a fun BBQ in our backyard, a Kumpir bar, dogs and kids chasing each other on the grass and aunties and uncles taking turns holding the birthday girl. We still tried to make the best of it.
On her actual birthday I made her her favorite breakfast: French toast with berries and banana.
She blew out a birthday candle (with a little help) and we played and hung out at home until her nap time.
After her nap we visited a local park. The animal preserve was closed but we managed to peek through the fence. We felt like such creeps! But special times require special techniques, I guess.
We also went to the dock not far from our house to do listen to the waves and smell the salty air.
When we got home it was time to smash the cake!
We set up the table with a nice white table cloth in front of the backdrop I had been planning for weeks, put the homemade and decorated cake on a cute cake stand, dressed her in matching clothes and were excited to see her smash that cake!
And what do you think happened? She was terrified of sitting on the table, by herself with the cake next to her!
We picked her up of course and slowly got her used to the idea of touching the cake...
Then we ended up eating the cake together. No real smashing occurred.
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I love matching our outfits! My Minime & me. |
For her party the next day we asked our closest family members from here to drive into our drive-way for a
"Whaley fancy tea party"
Carlos and I have had afternoon tea in London multiple times before and I love it so much! It's so posh!
Inspired by our experiences I made finger sandwiches with the crust off, filled with hummus, cucumber salad and guacamole. I also made cream cheese and smoked salmon roll-ups.
For dessert there were chocolate chip scones (which were gone so fast I couldn't take a picture), cupcakes filled with dark chocolate ganache and topped with mascarpone and whipped cream, homemade whale shaped sugar cookies with royal icing and a simple layered cake filled with berries and whipped heavy cream and mascarpone. The little blue dots on the cupcakes and the cake were also made from scratch with royal icing. So easy and cute!
Everything was served in compostable containers and our guest brought their own cutlery and napkins.
Drinks were served in recyclable cans and bottles.
I would say we had lots of fun, while staying apart. We blew soup bubbles, chatted and laughed. All in all we had a blast. Not that I have ever done it but it reminded me of the concept of tailgating. Just without the alcohol and the BBQ.
Our birthday girl is blessed with loving people in her life, who brought her the most generous gifts.
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One of her gifts: A beautiful handmade wooden mud kitchen with a roof |
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Playing with the new gift barefoot and in socks and slides |
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Another awesome gift: The radio flyer walker wagon |
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Lilly aka "Oodie" |
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The real "Oodie" |
I know it's the end of June and I'm posting about the birthday party in the beginning of May.
Life's so busy and "Corona time" doesn't make it slower, when you live with toddler.
One blogpost per month is manageable for now, since this is supposed to be a challenge but also enjoyable and fun.
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Mery
Here are some of the things I used for her decor!
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