Oh man did we party like it was 1999. Clara’s big birthday bash was so much fun, and even the weather miraculously cleared up for us (which I fully contribute to all the anti rain dances you guys did – so thanks). Of course you’re all virtually invited, so let’s get this show on the road. Here’s what the living room looked like decorated with some giant balloons and the fabric flag banner that I begrudgingly made for the bean just minutes before the first guests arrived.
On the other side of the room I hung a paper pendant that I made a while back above the hallway sliders and John taped up all of Clara’s 52 weekly photos (see the whole collection here) on the fireplace. It turned out to be a great place for people to stand and study them all (everyone had a different favorite) and it was so amazing to see how much she has grown and changed.
It had rained all morning but I refused to let the dream die (you know, the dream of actually using the patio that John worked so haaaaaard to build before the party) so I strung up some balloons that I got from Target for a few bucks to create a festive come-hither-and-enjoy-the-new-patio look. The forecast said it might stop raining by noon (which was the beginning of the party) but I snapped this picture around ten minutes before and it was still misting and overcast. Boo.
Pssst- Notice a privacy fence going on? Let’s just say John’s been busy. Details as soon as he catches his breath…
Thankfully, all that mattered to us was keeping Clara smiley, which didn’t hinge on the weather at all. We actually had to wake her up from her nap to attend her own party after a few guests showed up right on time. But she didn’t mind. Look at that happy girl. And isn’t her dress cute? It’s from Target.
Burger was possibly the best sport of the day to wear these ridiculous curly pink ribbons that I tied around his collar. I figured he’d immediately attack them until he got them off, but he didn’t seem to mind them at all. So he ended up wearing them the entire time. What a good big brother.
As for the food and drink set-up, we decided the kitchen was just waaaay too ugly to work as the main party backdrop (oy, that paneling) so we moved the kitchen table into the sunroom to create a little food and drink buffet. We even improvised and used a cute toy bucket of Clara’s for ice. Oh and here you can see the fabric runner that I made for the table using some of Clara’s weekly photo backdrop fabrics (I’ll have to share the steps for making that guy soon – it was really simple). And in the top right corner of the photo you can also see Clara’s special fabric that we designed on Spoonflower which we intended to use as a photo backdrop for everyone at the party.
Intended was the key word. We did manage to grab photos of a few guests in front of it (holding blank pieces of paper that we planned to later photoshop with their names so we could make an album for Clara to learn to recognize everyone). But the day was just such a blur that we didn’t get a chance to capture everyone. Maybe we’ll just have to make her an album with photos that we already have of everyone without that cute backdrop (which I plan to make into a beanbag someday).
As for the spread, we landed on a few simple crowd pleasing foods that work for babies and adults alike… and also had special meaning to us. We even made little cards to explain why we chose certain eats (just printed out on card stock on our own computer). For example, the pizza card said “Many of John & Sherry’s casual dates in New York City were enjoyed over a slice of New York pizza.” It was really nice to order five pies and call it a day (instead of slaving away making the food like we did for our backyard wedding – we must have been crazy back then).
We also had some of the most delicious chips and salsa in Richmond on hand – which also happened to have special meaning for us when it comes to our favorite girl. The card explained it all: “John was eating these Cafe Olé chips on his last day of work when Sherry called to announce that she was in labor.”
We also figured the other kids and parents would appreciate an easy little snack (one of Clara’s favorites). In fact when we held up a few things (Cheerios, Goldfish, these) she picked these (by pointing at them and saying “dis” – which isn’t a dis, but actually means “this”). And so the card read: “Clara loves munching on these veggie sticks and specifically requested them at her party.”
And although we would serve cupcakes along with Clara’s smash cake later in the party, we set out some cinnamon cookies with the food just to fill up the table with one more crowd pleasing treat (they’re also known as “labor cookies” because it’s an old wives tale that the spices somehow can start labor when you’re ready to pop – but it didn’t work when John whipped up a batch for me). So the card on these guys read: “John baked these ‘Labor Cookies’ when the doc said Clara was ready. They didn’t work – but they were good!”
Everyone ate their little hearts out and had a merry old time. Our party guest total ended up being 25 of our closest friends and family members, which was just about perfect. Here’s Clara taking time off from pizza eating to flirt with the camera man (our brother-in-law Todd very graciously snapped a lot of photos while we “hosted” and soaked up the day since he’s a pro photographer – and we’re oh so grateful).
And by this time it started to get nice and sunny out, so while most people were venturing outside onto the new patio (miracle of all miracles!), some people ate inside as well.
And Clara’s cousin John checked out our hallway frame wall with his new balloon friend. Btw, the giant colorful balloons were a huuuge hit with the kids. And two of them did pop, but they did so nice and loudly – which was helpful because one of the eighteen adults could quickly grab all the pieces (since deflated balloons can be choking hazards- safety first!).
We also mentioned that we wanted to create a birthday time capsule for people to contribute to at the party (we talked about it back in this post, which also has sources for a lot of our party supplies). What we ended up doing was grabbing a basket for people to drop notes and “artifacts” from 2011 into, which we would then transfer into a tin box for Clara to open on her 18th birthday. Oh and the note to direct people to contribute said: “Add something to Clara’s Time Capsule! We’re making a time capsule for Clara to be opened on her 18th birthday. So please write a note to be slipped in. (Something about her, about 2011, or even about yourself. Whatever!)” She ended up with lots of well wishes, a newspaper from that day, a party hat, and some stat cards full of gas prices and top recording artists and TV shows today. It should all be really fun to look back on when she’s eighteen.
See those little striped pens? Those were from the sentiment cards that people filled out for our wedding. I was so glad to spot them in the drawer when I went digging around for some fun little pens. And as for the note cards, they were just pieces of 8 x 10 card stock that I cut into quarters and drew a little heart at the top with pink, blue, and green markers. So the whole time capsule project was f-r-e-e.
And speaking of cheap thrills, these bubble containers shaped like ice cream cones were less than fifty cents a pop at Target (they sell them four per pack in the party aisle) and I used a silver sharpie to write each child’s name on them to create cute little favors. Once again, we printed out a little card stock sign to explain the whole shebang: Thank you for coming to my party! If you’re a young bubble enthusiast like myself, please take the party favor with your name on it. (This means you Laney, Elsa, John, Emanuel, Hayes, and Edison!) xoxo, Clara
Happily, they were a hit. Especially since everyone was gravitating outside to the patio (with rain clouds nowhere to be seen).
The balloon garlands were also pretty fun for the kiddos to look at, poke, smile at, and talk to (kids are kind of weird, but very cute). Look at my sweet momma and my sweet baby girl, living it up underneath them.
People even started spilling out into the carport, which is where some crowd rallying dancing took place. Here’s Clara’s cousin John getting the party started with some Macarena-ish moves.
We took the carport fun as a sign that it was time for my homemade piñata. That’s right the ugly goiter-esque creation that I shared on Friday actually worked out! I used a blow dryer to eliminate the moisture issue, popped the balloon, and then covered it with tissue paper “scales” for a fun girly effect inspired by this one I pinned on Pinterest a while back. I’ll be back with a detailed tutorial to share all the steps (I tweaked it to create a “pull string” piñata so the wee ones didn’t need a bat to get to the goodies inside, they each just yanked a bunch of strings to pop open the bottom and get to their treates – which were individually wrapped packets of Teddy Grahams and Goldfish). Long story short: it was lots o’ fun.
And because some of the party-goers stuck around in the carport for more bubble adventures (while others made their way back to the patio or the sunroom for more snacks/drinks/time capsule fun), we decided that it was time for some smash cake for the bean…
For those unfamiliar with a smash cake (my own Italian momma had never heard of it) it’s a tradition where you bake a tiny kid-sized cake for your one year old…
… and encourage them to dig in and make a big ol’ mess while snapping lots of photos and giggling uncontrollably. Clara was not shy.
It might have been the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
And she even generously shared some with us, so I ended up with a little icing in the hair situation and John got a cake goatee. Best time ever.
Here’s the cake carnage. Not a bad job for a dainty little girl, eh?
Then we pulled out three dozen cupcakes from our favorite bakery (Ukrops) and announced that everyone else should dig in too, since Clara set a great example. And did they ever. Oh and since all the other food got a label, of course the cupcakes earned one too: “These are the same cupcakes that John & Sherry enjoyed at their wedding, which Clara was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.”
And in some miracle of bulk cupcake ordering magic, three dozen of these pink, green, and blue babies came out to under $14. Yes, that’s less than 38 cents a cupcake. And I didn’t have to make them. I’m actually not sure I could have made and iced three dozen cupcakes for under $14, so it was definitely money well spent. And it freed me up to make Clara’s smash cake, which was lots of fun.
Here’s where everyone was outside and we realized that we hadn’t taken a wide shot of the sunroom with the kitchen table all set up with food (well, cupcakes and cookies at this point) so we snapped one (that table in the corner is where the bubble favors and time capsule stuff was set out for everyone).
And here’s a shot of everyone hanging out on the rain-free patio (there was even some ball playing in the backyard). We felt so lucky to end up with a nice day to celebrate the bean.
And we capped off the event with a little year-in-review video that John made for Clara on the computer using iMovie (and then burned to a DVD so we could share it with everyone on the TV in the living room). Look how many people we can fit on good ol’ Karl the Sectional.
Oh and as for the bean’s presents, you guys know I made her this quilt (which she very cutely pawed and smiled at when I gave it to her) and we also got her this fun little stacking game where you make sandwiches from one of our favorite eco companies. 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 series of toddler nature classes from the family. And her boyfriend Will Bower got her a super fun bathtime bubble blower and an über stimulating book called First 100 Words and this gorgeous dress that she’ll wear to woo him the next time she sees him.
So there you have it. Our precious baby girl’s first birthday party full of food, family, friends, fun, bubbles, balloons, cupcakes, chaos, and laughing til we cried. And the cycle of babies continues! John’s sister Katie recently announced that she’s expecting again (you can see her cute baby bump in the photo above our Clara video). Congrats to Katie and Martin! I’m sure we’ll blink our eyes and find ourselves at that baby’s first birthday party before we know it.
Marianne says
Great Party! Happy that the sun shined for Clara’s big day. I thought I might pass along a “mom tip”. I discovered this when my first son was about 18mos. He also said “dis” (a lot) which I discovered later was “what’s this”. He was looking for the “word” as much as the “thing”. So with the second son, I said the word, looking right as his face. He talked much earlier. May be a coincidence, but who knows. Watch to see if Clara is watching your mouth form the word and you will know if her “dis” is What’s dis or I Want dis. I LOVED THIS AGE. They absorb everything.
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!! I’ll have to start telling her even more often what things are! Sometimes I think she’s just picking it, but it could easily be a question about the name!
xo,
s
Jess says
Happy birthday Clara! It looks like the party was great, and I’m so glad the weather held out for you guys. And the video was so fabulous! I almost cried at the very beginning with all the shots from her birth after reading your birth story a few weeks ago. So glad that you guys have a healthy, happy, and beautiful little girl.
I know you guys get a lot of questions about things in your home (and I see why!) but Sherry, where did you get the sweater you wore for the party? I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
That was from the Banana Republic Outlet in Delaware (got it around Easter when we were there with John’s fam). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Shaz says
Love Clara’s video. It made me smile, laugh and cry. Glad it was a fantastic day for you both and your special girl.
Mel says
Yeah I totally teared up over the video! Everything looks so beautiful! I love how special all the little touches are. I’m digging the time capsule idea! Happy birthday Clara :-D
Maya says
Clara is really one ridiculously cute kiddiewink. :D Happy one-year to all of you!
Katie says
Hey!! I am new to your blog and I love it!! We are celebrating our little girl’s 1st birthday at the end of June and I want to make a video like you did. What program did you use?? I have video and pictures that I want to use. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!
YoungHouseLove says
We used iMovie which comes free with Macs (we’re Mac folks) but perhaps you can see what movie editing stuff comes with your computer if you’re on a PC (or see if there’s anything free you can download if you search for something compatible with your comp). Good luck!
xo,
s
rebekah says
hello. i live in richmond and would love to know where you got those adorable cupcakes???
YoungHouseLove says
Ukrops (they’re sold at Martin’s in the bakery). Love them!
xo,
s
Kristen Duke Photography says
What a beautiful and fun party! Thanks for inviting me, though we just met;) I just blog hopped over here and can’t wait to dive into your archives. I love the 52 week pics displayed, and I love the heart you put into the party by sharing memories with stories typed out on the food cards. Very clever!
Kim says
Happy belated birthday for Clara! You guys made such a fantastic party setting. Sherry, the picture of you and Clara is absolutely adorable and she looks so happy in the photos with her smash cake. What a beautiful little girl. Congrats to both of you on your first year!
Jennifer says
Just watched her video….and am tearing up, big time! What a darling keepsake!
Terri says
Love the party pics! Random question….can you tell me about the veggie sticks Clara requested? I also have a little one that just turned one and always on the lookout for new things for her to eat. She is quite the picky little eater ;) Thanks so much.
YoungHouseLove says
They’re just organic veggie sticks from the store (we get ours at Martin’s but they also have them at Kroger, etc). They’re usually in the snack aisle. They’re definitely not full of nutrition, but if she’s had her meal and still seems hungry we give her some to nosh on. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
alison says
Such a great way to celebrate Clara’s first birthday. The details were sweet – and I especially liked the cards with all the tidbits about the types of food chosen for the party.
Now what are you’re plans for the weekly photo session? Are you going to stop or continue?
YoungHouseLove says
We’re going to do them once a month instead of once a week for the next year. But we have to change her pose a little since she’s too wiggly. More on that soon!
xo,
s
Andi says
Congrats Clara!! Thanks for sharing your first year video. You will be so glad that you have that as you get older.
Katie says
What a great party! That video made my tear up!
Emma says
This is one of my first times looking through your blog (my mother’s a fan). What a fun party…and CUTE baby! Happy Birthday, Clara!
–And where did you find that lovely sweater? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! It’s from the Banana Republic Outlet in Delaware (we were there around Easter with John’s fam).
xo,
s
kelsy says
you guys are seriously the cutest things ever! that video was da-bomb!!! totally got me teary and i dont even ‘know’ you!
Katie says
Quick question…I am working on a slideshow for my daughter’s first birthday too and I LOVE the music you used! I did follow the link to the artist’s page but do you know the names of the tracks you used? There’s so many songs and I can’t pinpoint which ones sound like yours :) It would be a huge help! Thanks a bunch!
YoungHouseLove says
We remember using the first few tracks from an album that we think was called Musical Explostion. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Miriam says
It looks like you guys pulled it off beautifully. Can you tell us how to make the big paper flowers you hung over the table? I’d love to make them for an upcoming partay!
Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Those are Martha Stewart poms. Here’s that tutorial on her site for ya: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to
xo,
s
Beth says
I’ve been teaching myself how to use iMovie but have had problems sharing my videos with PC users. What made you choose vimeo vs. youtube? How do you upload to vimeo?
Also, did you use any specific resource to teach yourself photoshop? I’m trying to design my daugher’s 1 year bday invitations but have never used it before. Thank you as always! You guys are amazing :)
YoungHouseLove says
We just like how Vimeo looks (kind of crisp and sleek and the interface is nice and easy) but we also use YouTube (sometimes both since some people can only see one for some reason). As for how to upload to Vimeo, we just made a log in and then followed the steps to upload stuff (just like YouTube). As for how we learned photoshop, we each took classes in high school and college, but there are some great library books and things at Barnes & Noble that should help (any book that’s a Photoshop Tutorial book with step by step chapters should come in handy). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sara says
Loved the video and all the details! Clara is a lucky lady! What were the names of the songs in the video? They fit perfectly!
:)
YoungHouseLove says
John can’t remember the names but they were the first few tracks from an album that he thinks was called Musical Explosion (just follow that url at the end of the video to hopefully track them down). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ashley says
Do you have a DIY for the cute tissue paper globes that you hung over the table?
YoungHouseLove says
Those are Martha Stewart poms. Here’s that tutorial on her site for ya (they’re pretty easy!): http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Erika says
Love those Blue and Pink paper ball decorations above the party table… did you make those?? Or did you purchase them somewhere, i would love to know for my daughters 2nd birthday! Thanks!!! You did an amazing job!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are Martha Stewart poms. Here’s that tutorial on her site for ya (they’re pretty easy!): http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to
xo
s
Jennet says
Happy birthday pretty lady!!
You guys, I *swear* I saw a post on your site about how you did the balloon banner but now I can’t find it! :( What kind of string/ribbon did you guys use? Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s that link for ya (it was over on BabyCenter):
http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/balloon-garlands-so-easy-its-crazy/
xo,
s
Erica says
I’m crying from watching your video and I’m not sure why! It’s so beautiful and crazy how fast they grow. Everything changes everyday with a baby and it’s like living life in technicolor.
Happy Birthday! Great party great video.
Megan says
Loved the video! What songs are playing? I’d love to know so I can download them from the website and use them in a slide show.
YoungHouseLove says
At the end of the video there’s a URL where we found the songs (John thinks they’re the first few tracks from an album called Music Explosion). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Michele says
I admit it, I cried ;) 1. I love that you documented her first trip to Home Depot 2. I love that she really hasn’t changed *that* much from when she was a newborn. She’s always had that great smile! Happy belated Birthday Clara!
Kasey says
This may have been addressed in previous comments. I tried to scroll through and check but there were so many!! Did you make the tissue paper flowers hanging above the table? What tutorial did you use? I am attempting to make them for my daughter’s party and yours look fab! The whole party as well as Miss Clara was adorable!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are Martha Stewart pom poms. Here’s that tutorial on her site for ya (they’re pretty easy!): http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to
xo
s
Natasha says
love the decor, but the video is superb..great Ideas!!!!
rohitha says
hi sherry,
I really liked the smash cake idea,especially when the kids are so young to enjoy their first B’day cake flavors.Can you please share the recipe if you baked it yourself?
YoungHouseLove says
I just used yellow cake mix (actually yellow cupcake mix) and a small round glass dish. Sorry I don’t have more details for you!
xo,
s
Katie says
Kind of a random question…what program do you use to make your videos, particularly the one for Clara’s birthday?
YoungHouseLove says
We use iMovie 09 (came free with our Mac).
xo,
s
Amy says
I LOVEEE this! I also love the “poofs” over the kitchen table….how did you make them? (or where did you buy them?) I also love the time capsule idea, i will definitely use that once i have children, someday. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Those were from marthastewart.com (just search “paper pom pom” to find the tutorial). They were surprisingly easy!
xo,
s
Shaun says
love the spaghetti scene in the video.
It’s all beautiful
Lacey says
I am blubbering like a baby (a really hungry, tired one) at work (a baby store), from watching a video about a baby (a very lucky one, named Clara!) I’m making my hubs try out the noodle trick at the end of the vid tonight. ;)
Gracy says
Hi Sherry,
Would like to know abt the music u uploaded on ur video?? which is the background music in the movie which John made of Clara on her bday??
Thanks a lot!!
love,
Gracy
YoungHouseLove says
Sure thing – it’s some of the first few tracks from this album by Ben Drake: http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/16847
-John
Gracy says
Thanks a lot john!!!
Julie says
Question for you…I tried out the tissue paper pom poms, but mine don’t seem to turn out as great as yours. Do you have a secret as to how to get the tissue paper to separate so well…without ripping it?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I was just really slow and gentle and I tried hanging onto the string when I could (as opposed to scrunching the paper). Oh and I added a few extra tissue paper sheets to make it fluffier (I think 12 instead of 10? don’t remember exactly). Oh and when it was all fluffed I took the string and sort of spun it around in a quick circle (like a lifeguard spins their whistle) to get it to fluff even more. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Gracy says
Hi,
can you pls help me with the photo dvd slideshow video??
would like to know.. u paid for the site?? as i made one video but now when i saved on the pc.. it says tht it will be saved in evaluation copy so to remove the watermark u need to pay… ufff.. was working on for 1 week on tht.. and now what do to??? do u recommend any free site?
regards
YoungHouseLove says
We made our photo DVD slide show in iMovie, which is a program that comes free with a Mac computer. Maybe someone else knows of a free one that works with a Mac? Or you can try googling around for that info? Good luck!
xo,
s
Lesley W. says
Ok, so I know this question is on a post that was awhile ago, but I loved your video of Clara’s first year. What program did you use to make it?
YoungHouseLove says
We used iMovie which came on our Mac laptop. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Essie says
Hi guys – now that I am making my son a ‘one year’ video I remembered Clara’s and had to come check it out again! I really love the music you chose. Instead of going through all of his albums do you happen to remember the names of the songs? Or atleast which album they were from? If you already posted this sorry for asking again!! Thanks!!
Essie says
Ugh, I should have known to check the last page! This happened before where my answer was above my question!!
YoungHouseLove says
No worries! Glad you found it!
xo,
s
Essie says
One more thing… I went to the link to find the music that you used and was able to find the first 3 songs but couldn’t find the last song. I really like that one in particular because I thought it was a great ending song! Anyway, is there any chance you remember if that was from somewhere else? I listed to all of the tracks from the album you linked and it wasn’t on there…. Thanks for your help!!
YoungHouseLove says
All tracks were form Ben Drake, so maybe he took that one down or it’s on another album? Hope it helps!
-John
Terri says
What did you use to hang her monthly photos to the wall for her party? Did it cause the paint to peal off??
YoungHouseLove says
We just used painter’s tape so it was totally damage free.
-John
Luke says
It always make me smile when I see your references to Ukrops’cupcakes. My company used to work with them until they were sold; they were one of my favorite accounts because of their pleasant integrity.
Marijanna Fullen says
Great job! The video was great and got me all welled up because I thought, “Man… THAT is how fast it goes!” My Ava is turning one in about 2.5 weeks and I was looking for ideas for her time capsule when I stumbled upon your blog. She’s blessed to have such loving parents. Enjoy her. Feel free to stop by sometime. My little one’s party is on the 22nd. Hopefully ALL goes well!
Celine says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and LOVE !!! The video is WONDERFUL, I cried, I laughed, this is pure bliss ! I arrived here by Pinterest and I found true happiness ! I will now read everything from the beginning ; thank you for sharing these beautiful moments and live translation tools because my english is bad ! :-)
LOVE AGAIN
Celine from Rennes, in Brittany/France
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Celine!
xo,
s
Katie says
Hey S&J! What size did you use for Clara’s pictures when you hung them up on the fireplace for her birthday party? Are they 4×6 or larger? Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
They were regular old 4×6″ pics. Hope it helps!
xo
s
katyrenee says
Thank you for this. It is so simple, yet thoughtful. Great inspiration for my own first bday party planning.
Cathy C. says
So where is Clara’s time capsule now? Its such a cute idea. I love reading these old posts :)
YoungHouseLove says
Back in the storage room waiting to be opened. Haha!
xo
s
Niki says
Hey, where did you get that couch? Looking for one like it…
YoungHouseLove says
It’s the Karlstad by Ikea.
xo
s