Reflections on Clara's 3rd Birthday

 Before too much time goes by, I wanted to capture some of my favorite details from Clara's tiny little birthday celebration.  My general rule for birthday parties is to invite the number of children equivalent to my child's age plus one (I've only broken this rule once and boy do I ever regret that ~ it was a DISASTER!).  So Clara had four friends over along with my parents, my cousin and her boyfriend.

In the past, I've thrown down plenty of time and money on the birthday cake.  We've had some stunning cakes over the years (mostly, thanks to my talented friend, Elizabeth!).  This year, because Clara is on a gluten-free (GF) diet, I purchased some GF cupcakes from Trader Joe's (quite good, I might add!).  Yet Clara kept mentioning that she really wanted a cake.  I headed out to the grocery, picked up some GF cake mix and baked a simple cake.  Since I'm a rookie GF Mom, I had no idea that a $5-6 box of cake mix only makes one level (just in case you're wondering why my cake if so short!).  The very day before the party I saw this pin and couldn't get it out of my head.  I raided the girls' massive animal collection, chose a few friends and created the below.  And, I'm not even lying to you, it is my favorite cake we've ever had. I love the whimsy, imagination, sweetness and childhood magic of this cake. Alain and my Dad know how much time I spent laboring over those miniature party hats..... and I'm telling you, it was worth EVERY second.  They were a BIG HIT!

Each year I try to incorporate some birthday wrapping paper that I saved from Tio Iggy's last birthday present.  Last year I was able to wrap a couple of presents in it.  This year a small scrap made up the chimpanzee's party hat!

  

Mom & Dad blew up all the balloons, around 30 of them in all.  Thank you, Mom & Dad!

Clara's Abu and Nonno Carlo sent this lovely dress from Switzerland.  It is so adorable and was perfect for the party!

The little message board got filled during the party and I've saved all the notes for Clara to read when she gets bigger.

The party was held at brunch time so we had bagels and bubblies.

There was no theme for the party but a strong color theme and loads of yarn pom poms.  I LOVED making the pom poms (use this tool if you ever need to make them ~ it's AWESOME!).  They appeared on the favor boxes, on flower vases and in various other places around the party.

When I sent Alain out to buy champagne, he found this one.  Couldn't be any more perfect!

We had frozen blueberries to keep our drinks cold.....a tip I picked up from a club in New York City!

  

As I looked back at the photos of Clara unwrapping her presents, I was overcome by how much she has my mannerisms.  Considering the amount of time we spend together, it's not surprising.  Still, it warms my heart.  (Have I mentioned lately how happy I am to have daughters?)

Big Sis was just as excited about all the presents as Clara!

  

Alain and I gave Clara this tiny little bike as our main gift.  She'd been asking for a bike with training wheels for many months.  Well, she was ecstatic and has probably taken a ride on it every day since.

All in all it was a beautiful day/party.  There's no question that Clara enjoyed it immensely! 

A Big Thanks to Mom & Dad, as always, for making the drive and helping out with all the party prep!

4th of July

The 4th of July is truly one of my favorite holidays.  That and Thanksgiving.  This year we spent the 4th of July at my parents' house in Virginia.  With a lot of work, we prepped a nice little July 4th cookout for family members and neighbors, 25 of us in all.  I was running a fever all day and spent part of it in bed but I managed to hang through the entire party.  Thank goodness....   Here are some of my favorite details and moments:

I couldn't bear that my Snoopy 4th of July flag wouldn't be flown this year so, to remedy that, I brought it with me and hung it at my parents. I mean, honestly, who on Earth is more fabulous than Snoopy?

The neighbors' dog, Riley, crashed the party.  Smile.

Kids enjoying Pop Its in the driveway.

When it comes to the 4th of July, I'm all about a traditional menu.....burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, chips & dip, brownies, cupcakes.  It won't be your most nutritious meal but it sure is good!  And, it never fails, the deviled eggs and brownies are always the foods that completely disappear!  Is that just a Southern thing?

My favorite part of all is that both of my 82-year-old grandmothers were at the party.  My grandma Nellie (above) is always willing to dress up and have a good time!  And my grandma Barbara (below) is indispensable when throwing a party.  I borrowed so many platters and dishes and chairs, etc from her.  She even called us early in the day to remind us to charge our camera batteries!  Trust me that having her two blocks away when you're planning an event is a godsend.

I hope all of you had a fun, safe, happy 4th of July!

PS ~ Any World Cup fans out there?  Did you watch the game on Tuesday?  Sophie & I dressed up in our finest USA gear and went to a local, family-friendly bar and watched the entire game.  We were there for four hours!  To say that we were crushed the US lost would be an understatement.  By the end of the game, Sophie was screaming at the TV along with everyone else.  My man, Tim Howard.....WOW.  He is a BEAST.  I remembered this post I wrote about him back in 2010.  I'd go crazy if he could play in one more World Cup!!! I remain his biggest fan!

Here's to Clara and Iggy

This weekend we celebrated two very important birthdays....

Clara's First....

....and Ygal's 36th.  

Each celebration was beautiful, momentous and emotional in its own way.

Looking at pictures from both make me cry.

Fortieth Fiesta Fun

On Saturday I hosted a Fiesta party in honor of Alain's 40th birthday.  Full Disclosure: his birthday was actually back in December but we were inundated with caring for Clara back then ~ the reflux was bad and we were barely sleeping.  Therefore I postponed the party and held it at the 40 1/2 point mark.  Everything turned out great and we had a wonderful time.  As is usual for me, I took almost no pictures.  Note to self: ask a friend to help take pictures or hire a photographer.  Luckily, Elizabeth reminded me to take pictures of some of my work before the party started. Thanks to her I can share this little glimpse of just a few party details....

Those cacti that I planted in the vintage pots were displayed around the house.

A glimpse of the dessert table.  I need to work on my dessert table skills....clearly.  They always seem fine in person but then look so skimpy in pictures.  Noted.  I ended up making a little garland with those Fiesta Flowers I'd posted about.

As always, Elizabeth made the cake.  I told her exactly what I wanted and she NAILED IT.  Just a nice simple white cake with the mini-pinata on top.  Hmmmm.....

Fruit kabobs displayed on palm leaves and a lovely flan.

Note: If you ever choose to use palm leaves for display, please be aware that they have crazy spines which hurt when they get stuck in your fingers.  Really hurt.  Before using them on the table, I donned some rubber gloves and pulled all the spines out. I'd have to think twice before doing this again....

Favor bags....filled with an assortment of yummy Mexican candies.

Self-explanatory.

A close-up of the vintage fiesta fabric that I purchased a year and a half ago at the Atlanta Country Living Fair.  This fabric is what inspired me to choose a fiesta theme for the party.

I tried my first Jarritos on Saturday and it was so much better than I thought it would be. I'm sure it won't be my last!

Yet one more idea found and saved via Pinterest.

One of my favorite party details was the collection of Mexican postcards.  Guests could choose a card and write a message to Alain.  Sophie's was my favorite ~ it said, "I Love You, Birthday Boy".  She chose the words.  Too cute.

Another of my favorite details.  I borrowed my Dad's Crib Spring and made this sign using old letters I'd purchased at a Collectibles & Antiques Show.

Now you must've known I wouldn't ask for a very simple and plain white cake!!!  The cake was so gorgeous....the colors were perfection....one of the prettiest cakes I've had the pleasure of eating.

A little display for the guest restroom.

And a few lovely flowers tucked in here and there!

I can't believe the party's over. I think I'll rest a few days and move on to the next one.....

PS ~ My Fortieth Fiesta Pinterest Board is where I saved all of these ideas and inspiration.