A whole lotta pink: Audra's vintage first birthday party.

Hello, my name is Abby and I am a children's birthday party planning addict.

Seriously. I know I have a problem. And that problem is probably Pinterest, though my obsession certainly began prior to its invention. In fact, I'm pretty sure it began while watching my mom set the table for every party, every holiday, and every taco night. (Yes, taco night. As in nights we had tacos for dinner. She has the cutest vintage-looking Mexican tablecloth. Which my sister has already claimed, darn her.)

Lucky for me (and the 30 people crammed into 600 of our 1200 square feet last weekend), my mom also has an extensive collection of vintage table cloths. Which I borrowed to throw the cutest party yet — Audra's very girly, very adorable, and very pink vintage first birthday party.

SWOON. (And again I say thank you to the Lord for knowing what I need. I love my son more than life but there is no pink in raising boys and I sure do love pink.)

Without my mom's help (and I'm not just talking tablecloths — she was a cake frosting, deviled egg-making machine), this party would have been impossible.

It also would have been impossible without the sewing talents and gorgeous fabric collection of an Etsy seller named Wesley. My inspiration for the entire party was the cake bunting and fabric flag garland I purchased from her shop, Bluebird and Violet.

Look at this preciousness, please:

Yes, I probably could have made that myself. I have a sewing machine. But I do not have that many adorable fabrics, nor do I have time to search for them. Handmade by someone else is the way to go, friends.

Everyone loved the poms, which I have actually made by hand before (easy) but decided to purchase as a kit from Martha Stewart this time around (easier). I'm going to hang them in Audra's room...just as soon as I find myself willing to part with them in the dining room.

This was taken post-party. There were tons of mason jar glasses and
I had bottles of sparkling lemonade sitting in the center.

Along with the tablecloths, which I layered to cover my enormous table,

I only used eight of the 20+ tablecloths my mom sent me.
And this is just her pink stuff.

I used off white serving pieces, old jelly jars and a teapot full of spray roses, super cute pink paper plates, and pink and white striped napkins. My sister-in-law lent me her Mason jars for beverages (large bottles of sparkling pink lemonade from Trader Joe's) and I stuck baby blue and white paper straws in each one.

Even though the majority of our guests were adults, I wanted food that was geared toward the kids: PB&J cut into flower shapes, large bowls of goldfish crackers and clementines, a platter of deviled eggs, individual veggie pizzas, and strawberry cupcakes. We also made two pans of baked ham and cheese sandwiches for the grownups (so good). The kids went home with pink and white frosted animal cookies as favors.

The chandelier was a hit — I strung it with photos from the 27th of every month to document Audra's growth over the last year. Each month was written on a tiny heart sticker and clipped to the photo and ribbon with a mini clothespin:

 

Finally, I made Audra's birthday shirt. I usually buy them off Etsy, but I couldn't find one that fit the party and decided if I could hand sew a book on Calvin's Super Why costume, I could hand sew a number one on the front of a onesie. I used pink and white polka dot cotton fabric, and hand stitched it with contrasting baby blue thread. And I added a little heart on the back of the neck, too. Because I could. :)

A pretty party and a house full of people we love = the perfect way to celebrate our sweet Audra's first year. We are so blessed by the love and generosity our friends and family show our family, and especially our kids!

Now, to begin planning Calvin's next party! I'll give you one hint: It's going to be super. ;)

Melon.

It's been unseasonably warm here lately. Spring in Minnesota is usually blustery, rainy, and about 55 degrees. But this weekend it was mild, sunny, and in the upper 60s. So, we did what any foolish Minnesota family would: cracked out the patio furniture and flip flops.

We are, of course, tempting Mother Nature and will probably pay for that with six more inches of snow in the next month. Until then, we're going to enjoy living in our backyard.

Saturday night we had our first dinner outside — burgers on the grill, potato salad, and watermelon.

I think Nate and I might rue the day we introduced our child to this piece of fruit.

The kid went nuts. First we cut a piece into chunks for him, and he was grabbing fistfuls and shoving them into his mouth going "mmm! mmmm!" So then I figured we may as well give him a whole piece. He sucked the living daylights out of that thing and then chewed it all the way down to the rind. And then chewed on the rind. And then got really mad when I took the rind away. I'm pretty sure we could have handed him the whole dang melon and he would have put it away, rind and all, in about 15 minutes.

Last night we grilled beef and vegetable kebabs. He took about two bites of everything and started throwing a fit. So, we gave him another piece of watermelon. And then another. And then I ate the last piece instead of giving it to him because, really — shouldn't the people who pay for the watermelon get to have some?

At least he's acting this way over fruit and not french fries. I'm in no hurry to introduce those, because — as we all know — french fries are WAY better than watermelon.

Addiction.

Vanilla iced coffee from McDonald's. Coffee, vanilla creamer, lots of ice, and what I have to assume is crack cocaine.

Don't worry, though. It's not like I have a problem. I mean, I can stop anytime I want to.

(No, I can't. Please help me.)