Young House Love

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Planning Our Daughter’s First Birthday

Clara’s big birthday shindig is tomorrow! Along with her actual birthday. It seems utterly insane to think that this time last year she was just arriving. Oy, how time flies. And since so many of you were asking for par-tay details I figured I’d toss up a quick little pre-party-prep post about all of my “supplies” for the bean’s big day. You’ll have to excuse me if you think I’m going overboard. I’m just a little obsessed with our girl and we’re so honored and excited to celebrate her first year here (more on the reasons for my über appreciative b-day behavior here).

First I made these easy paper poms with tissue paper and some string in our three main party colors (blue, green, and pink- just like her nursery).

Tissue Paper Poms

You’ll probably remember those colors from her invite (which we made here). Those hues are based on her bedroom- she just loves blue, green, and a hint of pink. At least for now. She’ll probably go through a goth black-loving phase someday so I’ll take pink, blue, and green while I can.

Inivte Clara Final

Now we have a handy little numbered photo. Because we all know I like listing stuff. Explanations below.

Clara Party Supplies

  1. This is a cloth party hat that gets passed around our entire family for every child’s birthday. It was last worn in October by Clara’s older cousin Emanuel on his first birthday and she’s been eying it ever since.
  2. This is the birthday fabric that we designed on Spoonflower for Clara’s 52 week photo. We also plan to use that as a backdrop for a little photo station where everyone at the party can stand and hold those white pieces of paper with colored borders while they pose for a pic. We plan to take each photo and add the person’s name on the blank piece of paper in Photoshop and make a little album for Clara so she can start to learn and see names like “Granny” and “Nona” (her two grandmas) and look back to see everyone who came to celebrate her.
  3. Here are the fun patterned napkins and plates that we got from Party City on sale. Since our party’s “theme” is based vaguely on Clara’s weekly photos (which inspired her invitation) we thought the patterned napkins and plates looked like a background we would have chosen for one of her weekly shoots.
  4. Those are giant punch balloons that we grabbed from Target (I thought they’d look fun hanging from the trees on the patio if it doesn’t rain on my parade party).
  5. These are the two banners I’ve made (one a long time ago with paper, and one recently with my stubborn sewing machine) full of fun patterns and colors that also remind us of backdrops for those weekly pics.
  6. Here we have piles of pink, blue, and green balloons from Target that I’d love to blow up and make into huge balloon garlands to be swagged around outside (or inside if it rains).
  7. Those are two tablecloths in pink and blue. Just to cover things like odd outdoor tables that don’t match and to add more pops o’ color.
  8. This is a festive table runner that I made with some of Clara’s weekly fabrics (just like her quilt, but it was way faster and easier- I’ll post the detailed instructions for ya soon).
  9. Then we have some sidewalk chalk to entertain the kiddos out on the patio. And next to that are little containers of bubbles shaped like ice cream cones (from Target) that will serve as favors for our wee guests (I want to personalize them with each of their names).
Ice Cream Bubbles

I still have to make her smash cake and arrange for the rest of the food, but that shouldn’t be too hard (famous last words?). Oh and we’re going to make a little time capsule that guests can add stuff to for her to open when she’s 18. That should end up being hilarious. I hope.

Clara Party Pic

Operation Start Blowing Up All Those Balloons is about to commence.

Balloons

We also mentioned that we wanted to DIY a piñata a while back, but the jury is still out on whether it’s going to work. So far I made paper maché (mixing approximately two parts water to one part flour)…

Pinata1

… and blew up one of those punch balloons from Target that wasn’t in our color scheme (the orange one)…

Pinata2

Pinata 3

… and cut a bunch of newspaper strips…

Pinata 4

… which I paper machéd to the big balloon…

Pinata 5

… which I then let dry a bit overnight and then hung outside this morning to hopefully speed up the drying process (since it was still soggy and looking a bit – uh – questionable). Might be a womp-womp project. We’ll have to see.

Pinata 6

I still have to let it dry, pop the balloon, fill it with little toys or candy, and add ruffled tissue paper all over it so it doesn’t look like a big goiter (we actually want to make it a pull string piñata since that works well for smaller kids but we’ll have to see how it goes and post details if we get ‘er done).

But more nerveracking than my homemade piñata’s fledgling looks is the forecast. Boo. What’s the deal with the whole scattered t-storms thing?

Forecast

Please for the love of balloons in trees and bubble yielding ice cream cones, let it be clear and sunny-ish for just two early afternoon hours. Then it can rain cats and dogs all night.

Comments

  1. Kim C. says

    Oh, Sherry! I cringed when I saw your pretty diamond all in that paper mache mess! You’ve got to take that bling off when getting messy like that! Everything looks great though and I can’t wait to see the final product! Happy Birthday, Clara-bean!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- I never take it off! But I was saying how sparkly it was looking afterwards, so I think flour and water must be some sort of all-natural jewelry shiner! Haha.

      xo,
      s

  3. Amanda says

    I know you’re planning on purchasing books of Clara’s first year for you and the grandparents of Clara, I just wanted to tell you I recently signed up for Mypublisher and they sent me a BOGO coupon, and they’re offering no matter how many you buy, you get that number free. Buy 1 Get 1, Buy 3 Get 3 type of thing. I thought I’d let you know.

    Happy birthday today Clara, I hope it doesn’t rain for you.

    Reply

  4. Wren says

    I’m saying a prayer that you are rain free in Virgina today. Can’t wait to see the pictures of your big bash!
    Happy Birthday to Clara and even more important…
    CONGRATULATIONS on surviving your first year of parenting!

    Reply

  6. Torrie @ a place to share... says

    So, today’s the big day! I hope the weather is decent (at the very least!), and you have success with the pinata! I agree with another commenter… a helium tank is so very useful for parties. We always have lots of balloons hanging from our ceiling (Here’s an example!) and used to rent tanks each time, but my uncle gave us an old tank… which is perfect.

    I love the garland idea… Look forward to seeing pictures!

    Reply

  10. gayla says

    Hey, came across this website on a teacher website I frequent and thought you guys might like it if you haven’t seen it:

    http://teuxdeux.com/

    It’s a list-making site you can link up with the matching iPhone app–way cool!

    Yay lists! :)

    Love all of Clara’s party goods! :)

    Reply

  11. Heather Boeschen says

    I’ve done the homemade pinata thing a few times — it needs about a week to fully dry, less if you point fans at it 24/7, possibly more if it’s really really humid. If it’s not ready for your party, save it for next year. It’ll still be good.

    Reply

  12. Margreet says

    Happy Birthday “Van harte gefeliciteerd met je 1e verjaardag” little Clara from the Netherlands. And many many many more happy and healthy returns. May you continue to be a joy to all who see your sweet face. From Margreet

    Reply

  15. Gracy says

    hii.. i am soo curious to know abt the party.. i kept this site open since yesterday.. let us know how it was and what it went.. the way u usually explain with pics :)

    Reply

  18. Amy says

    Happy Birthday Clara!!!

    You are such a lucky little gal! You’re party is gonna be rockin!

    Have a fun day!

    Amy

    Ps. Your parent’s are awesome! But you already new that!

    Reply

  20. Jodi says

    Happy 1st Birthday to Clara! Enjoy every moment (which I know you do and will) because before you know it your “baby” will be graduating from high school like mine this year! I just can’t believe how fast the time has flown by…sniff, sniff.

    Reply

  23. Heather says

    Happy Birthday to Clara!! She’s such a beautiful miracle baby, thank God for your wonderful team of doctors. I hope you had good weather for her party!

    Reply

  24. Jennifer says

    I was thinking of you two all day, and I’m just a fan in the blogosphere. I hope you and Clara had a great day. The picture I’m sure you’ve taken is of Clara sacked out at the end of the day. Congratulations on one year in the parent-hood!-Jennifer, in Oregon

    Reply

  25. linda says

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLARA!!!!! it’s not past midnight here…. so it’s still your birthday! hope your party was fantastic and rain-free!

    Reply

  26. Ashlee says

    I love the cloth party hat idea! And the one you have is definitely cute! Did you or a family member make this or did you purchase it? My nephew’s first birthday is a month away and I would love to start this in our family.

    Reply

  27. Kristin Esparza says

    HI! I came upon your blog from who knows how!!?? Anyway, my son is 7 months, I love the idea of the time capsule, can you tell me more about it? Did you tell the guests in advance or how did you do it? THanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We just put out a basket and some pens and cards for people to write something about Clara and this year and all that and then people stuffed their notes into the basket during the party. We also added a paper and some other “artifacts” of this year that will hopefully be fun to see in 18 years. We hope to share more photos soon!

      xo,
      s

  29. Sara says

    HA! I had a beach themed party when my little guy turned 2. It was AMAZING and would have been even more amazing had my pinata turned out. I made it exactly the way you made yours. It was supposed to be a beach ball. Unfortunately it never dried quite right. I put the candy in it anyway and we decided to just throw it in the air and let it explode on the ground. It didn’t work the first time so my brother decided to do it again. And dropped it. THEN it decided to spill out. I think it was the highlight of the party though and I’m glad we got it on video :)

    I hope the rain stayed away and you had a fabulous party! Clara is adorable and she is so lucky to have such sweet, fun, creative parents!

    Reply

  32. Elizabeth B. says

    So, maybe this has been asked, I tried to scan the bazillion comments… :-) you would think being my third little I would have some clue, but can you pul-ease share some gift ideas for a one year old. My son turns one in less than a month and I have nothing… I would love something timeless and classic… what did Clara get? Love. the. party. ideas. beautiful!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Well let’s see I made her that quilt and we got her a fun little stacking game where you make sandwiches from one of our favorite eco companies (this one). She loves it! And John will be building her a sandbox any day now to complete the gift trifecta. She also got lots of books and some great “activity presents” like a membership to the Children’s Museum and a toddler nature class.

      xo,
      s

  33. Kristy says

    Hi there… curious to hear how the set up for the party, and actual event went… checked the site a few times and no updates yet…

    Reply

  35. Kelly says

    Very cute decorations! I am not surprised! Though I was surprised I caught you on DC’s 10pm news last night! Great job guys!!

    Reply

  37. Dianne says

    THANKS Sherry & John for showing us that you can have a GREAT kids party without a dorky theme. I’ve been to enough train/fire truck/princess parties to last a lifetime.

    THANKS,
    Dianne

    Reply

  38. Chrystal says

    My sister got married Sat in Fredericksburg at 5:30, outside. The rain held off very nicely till everyone was under the tent, then the heavens opened up in thunderstorms all night! But it worked out, thank goodness for the tent!\ I assume it was good for you earlier in the day, as it was fine in Fredericksburg till evening.

    Reply

  40. deb says

    Happy B-day Clara !!! I am a 50 sumthin viewer ,your mom and dad are the best ever ,they gave us all the opportunity to share your joyous 1st b-day .We love the decorating but the extremes your mom and dad went through are really acts of love you will cherish for life ,especially the quilt that your mom showed the entire world ,its my favorite ,and the wonderful patio your dad slaved over to have finished in time for your once in a lifetime special day . Congrats MOM and DAD !!!

    Reply

  41. tricia says

    OMG…just watched the video that John made…and it made me cry too!! and it’s not even my little girl! you guys are so lucky. you have a wonderful child and it is a reflection of your love for her!! can’t believe she’s one already?!?

    Reply

  42. Marybeth says

    When my daughter was in kindergarten her teacher had everyone bring in a shoebox that each person decorated. All year long we sent in memorabilia like ticket stubs. At the end of the year it was sealed and a note was put on it that said to open at high school graduation. I put it in the attic and got it out for her graduation party. It was so much fun to see a ticket from Sesame Street Live, pictures of friends, maps, a broken favorite barrette, Alf collector cards, etc.

    Reply

  43. sarah @ life {sweet} life says

    Hi there!

    I’m a long time reader but never really comment…love your blog though! 2 things that finally brought me to comment:
    1. LOVED Clara’s party! It turned out super cute. Thanks for sharing the idea of the name pictures of the guests…I did it and it was a smashing success! You can see a few shots of it here: http://www.lifesweetlifeblog.com/2011/05/mannys-1st-birthday-party-part-2.html
    2. And the other thing I wanted to mention is I did this for my son’s 1st birthday, which was just a few days after Clara’s (the 17th) AND his name is Emanuel. I always smile when I see you guys mention your nephew because it’s such a rare name, and we even spell it the same way. :)
    Okay, that is enough rambling! Thanks again for being such a fun and inspiring read!
    Sarah

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s so sweet! I just checked out the pics and it looked like you had a blast and the name photos came out so great! I wish we had more of those from her big day! Next year for sure. Haha. As for your son being named Emanuel, that’s so cool. You’re right about it being rare- we’ve never met another one! We love that name in our family because John’s grandmother’s name was Clara and his grandfather’s name was Emanuel John. So we named our little girl Clara after her and Emily (John’s sis) named her son Emanuel after him. The coolest thing is that John is also named after him and John’s older sister Katie has a son and named him John. So three babies in our family are named after those two amazing grandparents (along with my hubby)! Love it.

      xo,
      s

  44. maribel says

    Hi Sherry
    My son’s birthday party is on saturday…the big 3. I just attempted my first pom pom ball. It looks more like a butterfly a lot of space in the middle after separating the layers. Please give me any tips…did you follow Martha’s instructions to the t? I thought maybe I folded the paper wrong.,I folded my first crease then flipped over and creased and so forth.

    thanks

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I added a few extra sheets of tissue paper to get it fuller looking (and feathered it out as much as possible for that round shape). Good luck!

      xo,
      s

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