First birthdays can be as small or as large as the parents want it to be. I began planning my daughter's first birthday with a very simple party in mind; however, it quickly evolved into a quite beautiful (albeit stressful) affair.
I can't quite recall why I started buying lambs for MaryCollis but I have been collecting them in her honor since before she was born. Though it is unnecessary to have a theme for a first birthday, it was never a question whether or not lambs would be involved in my precious one's soiree. We easily have 40 lambs between my house and my mom's house, so I gathered up every single one I could find and that was the beginning of the end in regard to my "simple party."
Erin Napier of
Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence designed the invitations, and they were a huge hit with the guests. After taking MaryCollis' handprint, she was able to create a truly gorgeous letterpress invitation using salmon and soft grey inks. It will also make such a special keepsake for Chad and I since it has her very first handprint on it.
Hydrangea and lily arrangements (with little lambs tucked inside) acted as the centerpiece for each table. Photographs of the birthday girl were everywhere, and there were stuffed lambs galore!
Guests were greeted by a sign that said "Welcome to the Baa Baa Birthday Party!" As soon as they entered the house, another sign said "Thank ewe for coming to my party! Please sign the guestbook."
Debbie Tolbert of Sugar Bakers made a 2-tier vanilla cake with cream cheese icing that was as dainty as it was delicious. She also made a cute little lamb cake (complete with a bow on its tail) to serve as the smash cake. Iced lamb cookies acted as the favors, which Sugar Bakers also made.
Each dish was named and was displayed on lamb place cards which were on silver stands. The guests feasted on Little Bo Peeps, Rambunctious Chicken & Cheese Dip, Shear Delights, Mutton Meatballs, Baaad to the Bone Veggie Dip, Hot for Ewe Dip, Hoof Prints, Mary Had a Little Lamb Cookies, Baa Baa Birthday Cake and Three Sheeps to the Wind Punch. The tiny guests had their own food table that said "Kids Graze Here."
A photo booth was available for MaryCollis' friends to snap pictures. The booth consisted of a rocking chair, window pane backdrop and tons of lambs. A sign in an antique white frame said "Don't be sheepish... Snap your photo!"
A photo banner with 13 photos (Newborn - 12 months) was displayed in the gift room. A photo from each month hung on ribbon so guests could see how much the birthday girl has grown since her arrival!
As guests left the party, they were encouraged to take a favor. Iced lamb cookies were placed in hand-stamped muslin bags and placed next to a sign that said "Thank Ewe for coming to my party!"
The party was so much fun, and we look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with our baby girl (and I look forward to planning them!). I'm already debating themes for next year. :)
