1st Birthday Party

Ava's party was a very memorable one to say the least! My original plan was to have Ava's butterfly party at the park but aparently mother nature had other plans. Because of the cold temperatures we had to move her party indoors. Never in my wildest dreams when I was planning her party some 3 months ago would I have thought that it would snow on her birthday (first day of Spring too!). We made the best of it and squeezed about 60 people, about 17 of those being kids/babies, in our little house to celebrate Ava's day (now you know why I planned it at the park!). It was definitely not the ideal situation and we were all cramped for sure but having so many friends and family there made it incredibly special. Ava was perfect the entire party and didnt seem bothered by all the people at all. She loved her cake and stayed put for us to open almost all of her presents. She didn't get to play with her other friends like I was hoping she would have time to do but at least her friends got to play with each other. We converted the study into a temporary playroom with all of Ava's toys, books, her new table we bought her, and her pink car. Thank you to all who came to her party and stuck it out with us. Her 1st birthday party makes for a great story!


I had several people taking pictures for me so there are a TON! This is only a fourth of them but I wanted to make sure to capture a few of the special moments for Ava's book I am making her from all of my posts.


I meant to take some pictures of all the food and decorations I made before the party started but that didnt happen so some things arent pictured.

Ava's smash cake that Aunt Kassandra made

Flower arrangement and party favors in entry way



Cupcakes and butterfly shaped pb&j sandwiches for the kids (adults had chicken salad sandwiches)

All her month pictures taken with her bear

Flower arrangements for the table

Amy punched out the letters and circles for the birthday banner using her Cricut machine and I strung them all together on the mantle.

The birthday girl in her wings and tutu!! (wings didnt stay on long but thats ok)

Ava and Ryan (Sara's little boy)

The guests starting to arrive! Here is Ava with Luke, Brinley, and Ryan

These two have become our best buds

Miss Leakhena showed up for a little while to wish Ava a happy birthday

Mom and her girls (minus Bri who was playing with the babies). Alli was a great photographer at the party and my mom did a great job at greeting all the guests and making sure they had what they needed since I was tied up most of the party.

Dad and his girls. He drove all the way from South of San Antonio to be at Ava's party. Very short visit but so thankful he was there.

Ellie, Katie, Luke, and Bri coloring at Ava's new table we bought her for her birthday. Just waiting for the chairs to come in stock. Love Ikea! I can't wait for all the fun crafts we can do at this table and it even has shelves for craft supplies!!!

Some of the moms and babies (with dads) from our playgroup. Sara, my dear friend from Mohawk, and her husband and baby Ryan were there too.

Singing Happy Birthday. She didn't know what to think about all those people singing and staring at her.

Blowing out the candle before she touched it

Hmm, what is this?

Digging her fingers in. I put some icing in her mouth for her to get a taste.

And after that she was feeding herself. Yum yum!!

This is fun!!!!

Family picture

Feeding Daddy

and Mommy

and Brinley!! :)

Get ya some girl! She loved it and I thought it was precious!

Opening gifts (Aunt Alli gave her an Elmo puppet. We love Elmo in this house)

She was much more into opening gifts this time around as compared to Christmas

She even wanted to read the cards ;)

The girl got a TON of clothes but this one, from Leakhena, I think is her favorite because the second she took it out of the bag she took off with it in the other room to show it off.

The family stayed put in the living room. I wouldn't want to give up my seat either! They were hard to come by.

Ava got a flower headband and Macy had one from last year so now they are twins.

Check out my new shopping cart!

This is at the end of the day and she was still as happy as can be. She must have known it was her special day!