Kids: First Birthday Success!

Emerson's first birthday party was a success, I think... I always have trouble judging my own work, but I do know that the birthday girl had a good time and was smiling and laughing almost the whole party. To me, that equals an outstanding success!

The invitation:

A glittery pink 'E' above the doorway

All the men were given (embarrassing) white skimmer hats with yellow bands to match the party's yellow and pink 'garden party' theme

The ladies were a bit more fortunate in each receiving pink gerber daisy barrettes for their hair. The baby loved them!

The birthday girl in her custom-embellished garden fairy dress and headband:

Party favors for the little girls:

"Bubbles for our garden fairies" The girls (and dog!) had fun with these in the backyard:

Embellished lamp. There were butterflies and poufs everywhere!

The mantelpiece with the first presents (there were many more):

Some of the party guests took the theme to impressive lengths:

One of two hand-made banners:

Garden themed sugar cookies made with perfect cookie cutters from Sur La Table:

And 'E' for Emerson cookies, of course:

Vanilla cupcakes (my signature recipe) with pink cream cheese butter cream vanilla icing and pink sugar, and the birthday girl's cake with imported marzipan (thank you, Opa!):

"Ooooo, pretty..."

Our little girl surprised us by being extremely dainty with her first cake. There was no satisfying smashing and icing on the face, just careful nibbling:

Most of the guests posing on the front steps:

I'm thinking we'll need a serious cowboys and Indians party next year...