In case you missed it--Chapman turned one two weeks ago! I am a party planning queen, so I had the time of my life planning his first birthday party! Some people think first birthdays aren't a big deal, but I beg to differ! There are so many precious party ideas floating around Pinterest that I had a hard time deciding what I wanted the "theme" to be. I'm pretty sure I have his next 5 birthdays already planned out, but the first birthday needed to be sweet and special. After lots of Pinteresting, I decided to do a Peter Rabbit theme because Chapman's nursery is Peter Rabbit. I thought it was sweet and it has kind of been his "thing" over the past year.
After I decided to go with Peter Rabbit as the theme of the party, I got busy searching on Pinterest and Etsy for ideas. I also stole borrowed ideas from friends who have "been there, done that" with the whole first birthday party gig! At the beginning of August I ordered LOTS of things from Etsy--it was like Christmas time--every day I received a package in the mail for Chap's party. Next, it was time to put it all together and make the party actually happen.
Since we moved to Saint Simons we had to drive to Atlanta to have the party at Britt's parents' house. I packed up ALL of the party decor and drove to Atlanta all by myself with Chapman--now, that is a personal accomplishment, folks! Britt flew in on Friday and we ran around like crazy people making last minute purchases and getting the house ready for the party. Unfortunately, I am a procrastinator and always underestimate how much time it will take to do everything that needs to be done when it comes to hosting a gathering. Fortunately, I had Britt, Britt's parents, my parents, etc. that helped me pull it off. {I was still adding final touches when the first few guests arrived...sigh.} Anyhow, we had the party and it was great {despite Chapman being in a crabby mood due to the shots he got the day before}! So many friends and family came to celebrate Chapman's first year of life. We are truly blessed with the best family and friends.
And here you go--a look at Chapman's First Birthday Party. I'll take you through room by room!
Photo credit: Ashton Haley...I love this picture if Britt's head wasn't chopped off!
I ordered this GIGANTIC balloon from Amazon...it was 36"--that's 3 feet, y'all--in diameter!
We ordered his invitations from Etsy.
I'll start with the most important room...the room with the food!
Britt's cousin, Kathryn made Chapman's chalkboard for me! I procrastinated {imagine that} and didn't make it to Kinko's in time for them to print it as big as I originally planned, but I think it turned out great smaller. Now it is displayed in Chapman's room!
I ordered this precious birthday hat from Etsy. Of course Chapman did not even wear it at his party because he was in such a cranky mood...but we got some sweet pictures of him wearing it later on.
I saw this precious centerpiece idea on Pinterest.
I did the corny "play on the theme" with the food...our pictures of the food didn't turn out, so all I have to remember is the cute signs I made!
I saw this idea on Pinterest...carrot forks and napkins!
I ordered these beautiful cakes from My Sweet Things in Atlanta. Kathi at My Sweet Things makes amazing cakes. Not only are her cakes pretty, but they taste delicious! I ordered the sweet cake topper from Etsy.
I was pretty obsessed with the high chair banner. It was the best $25.00 I spent on this party!
I wish you could see these pictures better. I found chalkboard clothes pins at Michael's back in the summer and knew they were the perfect thing to hang Chapman's monthly pictures with. I grabbed 3 packs of them for $2.00 each.
On to the next room...the kitchen housed the drink bar!
I was going to order cute water bottle labels, but my friend Ashley gave me the idea to use duck tape and tulle instead! I think they turned out precious!
We all know that One Year Old Birthday Parties are more for the adults than the baby...que the adult beverage station! I had these cute wine labels made for less than $10.00.
Swoozie's has a great deal on plastic stadium cups...we ordered personalized cups for the beer!
Britt's only request for this party was that we have a keg. So, being the good wife I am, I agreed to let him have a keg--only if it had a big tulle bow tied around it, though ;)
The den was where we opened gifts. I made the banner with fabric from Hobby Lobby. It was super easy and relatively inexpensive.
My mom and I found the flowers at Trader Joe's {Birmingham friends, I know you are all excited to be getting a TJ soon!} and Mom made the arrangements.
We ordered delicious cookies from Two Smart Cookies in Savannah, GA. Aunt Judy was kind enough to pick them up and bring them to Atlanta for us. The cookies served as the adult treats!
Back in the spring I stocked up on the kids' goody bag items. I found everything in the Dollar Section at Target around Easter time.
I was so busy during the party that I didn't take many pictures of Chapman. My mom took a TON of pictures, but they turned out so dark you couldn't see them, so here's what we have to work with! My sweet sister was in charge of photographing the present opening.
My inner teacher couldn't resist reading this book to everyone!
This is how I felt by the end of the party!
Uncle Brooks gave Chapman his first Auburn pennant...War Eagle!
Four generations!
Chapman loves his new car!
Birthday parties are just like Christmas day...there is so much planning and build up, and then it's over in a flash with only memories left of the day! I said it before, but we are so thankful for all of our family and friends who came to celebrate Chapman's big day! Now I'll go start planning his second birthday...just kidding...kind of!
