Olivia is One

The Party...

So I have to confess, I spent around six months planning Olivia's first birthday party. I mean, she is my last child, my last first birthday, my LAST. So sad, yet so exciting and exhilarating. Now, I am no party expert and I definitely don't have a huge following on pinterest, but I love to plan parties. I love doing the research, the decisions, making all the decorations, making the invitations, and the list could go on. I love the stress, the excitement, the thrill and the MESS! I just love it and I think parties love me.

For Olivia's birthday, I didn't really have a huge theme. It was basically "Olivia is One" with vintage girly thrown in there for good measure. Now, I couldn't explain vintage girly to you, nor did I have the financial resources to throw the huge elaborate vintage girly party I really wanted to plan. I do all my parties for under $200. EVERYTHING from the decor, to the food, to the presents...all under budget. So, some things I can't do, most things I make, and I just hope it all turns out the way I envision it.

The invitation that I made...took a million photos of the crazy girl and this was THE only picture that I could use!

The banners I made that greeted guests as they walked up to the house

I made "Olivia is One" candy bar wrappers and put them over Hershey bars for party favors

Just something cute I made that the guests saw as they walked into the house

Olivia wearing her party hat that I made her...she only wore it for five seconds

 Olivia trying to get into the presents...and you can see the cute polka dot bloomers I made for her to wear under her tutu

The table...I just love how it turned out. I made the table backdrop. I covered it with pink fabric and burlap. Then I made scrapbook paper loops and cardstock butterflies to hang on the backdrop

The cupcake liner flower I made that I got from this website: http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/2011/01/cupcake-liner-pom-poms-tutorial-vintage.html

The cupcake stand that I made using cardboard cake circles that I covered in scrapbook paper. I also made the cupcake toppers and my BFF made the cupcakes for me.

My sweet Olivia sitting in front of the birthday banner I sewed to use at all my kids parties

Me and the birthday girl

Um...cutest baby in a tutu EVER! This was my first time making a tutu, and I think it turned out pretty cute.

Olivia Brontë Smith

My sweet sweet Olivia Brontë, I cannot believe that you were born one whole year ago. You are the baby of the family and I desperately wanted to keep you that way. I love the little lady you are becoming and you have brought an overflowing amount of joy to our family.

Being the baby of the family has not slowed you down one bit. In fact, I catch you quite often beating up on your older brother. You are the size of a two year old and you know it! You have been walking for about a month now and you LOVE it. You have the most wonderful personality filled with feisty grins, independent thinking, and a loving heart.

Olivia, I love that chase is your new favorite game. You take off running and when you can tell that I am about to catch you, your deep giggle bursts from your belly...oh how I love those times. I love that you say the word no to any question I ask you. I love that you want to walk down the middle of the street EVERY time we go on a walk. I love how you squeal like a pig when you don't get your way and when you do get your way. I love how you love to snuggle up with me while holding your beloved blanket and sucking on your thumb...but not for too long because you have stuff to do. I love how you love to dance! I love your big heart. I love your big smile. I love your big laugh. I also looove your big belly!

My Olivia, my baby girl...Happy First Birthday

Mommy