Westley's first birthday party, on Saturday, May 21, 2011, was a glorious affair. There more grownups than kiddos, so I tailored the party to cater to both age groups. Taking a cue from the Classic Pooh that had been a theme throughout Westley's infancy and first year, family and friends joined us for a backyard honeybee-themed bash.
I was blessed and very thankful to have the party planning help and skills that morning of family, including Auntie M, who drove up from Stillwater, and Uncle E, who drove down from Lawrence.
I was quite proud of the spread, which included fruit and granola parfaits, fresh fruits and a variety of cakes. I whipped Kansas honey into several recipes, including the homemade cream topping. There was honey-infused cream for iced coffee, vanilla honey iced tea and a variety of honey-themed beers. (See? This was a baby party anyone would want to attend!)
The real treats, pictured from left in the above photo: assorted baby snacks (including Gerber Puffs, among Westley's Favorite Things Ever), a honey cake (baked my moi from scratch using a mold I bought online just for this occassion), Westley's banana cream-filled vanilla cake (again, baked my moi from scratch), honey sticks and chocolates from Wichita chocolatiers Cero's and Cocoa Dolce (honey truffles).
I was tickled to find sugar honeybees and the perfect yellow striped candle at a local cake supply store.
Brian and Eric decorated our backyard with pretty paper lanterns. It gave the space a festive and magical feel.
I had so much fun planning and decorating:
The gift station, before guests arrived.
The centerpieces on the picnic tables out back. (We begged and borrowed from both sets of grandparents for the shindig.)
The birthday boy, having a blast in his swing with Papa Dan before the guests arrived.
Present time!
Cake time!
My sweet one year old. Until this day, I never fully appreciate the saying, "The days are long but the years are short." Or "My cup runneth over." Happy birthday, little one.
