Birthday Girl!!

Just to warn you -pictures galore!

I am at a loss for words... the love that was cram-packed into this day was a beautiful thing. Kaelyn is rich beyond measure, because the love that everyone gave her is the best gift, more than I could ever ask for. Thank you- thank you to every single one who loves my child. I suspect any mom knows that is the best gift to see your child receive.  

So about the party. Typically what I see in my head I have a hard time bringing to life. I feel like I've said that a million times. But I probably have. 

 I am in awe of people who create beautiful detail, and equally in awe of those who can keep it sweet and simple. I'm no party planner or decorator, have I mentioned it makes me sort of nervous? But I also tend to go a little nutty with the details (and then have a nervous breakdown later) when I have the opportunity to celebrate. (I think that makes me a walking contradiction...)

Anways, celebrations make me happy. Mostly birthdays, because I love birthdays. And I was mildly obsessed with The First Birthday. ( At one point I think I mentioned that my theory was whoever invented the 'birthday party' was just some nut who realized that moms needed something to keep them busy and spend money on, and not focus on the emotional fact that their child is getting older.)

So a long long time ago I mentioned to Ben that I thought it would be fun to throw Kaelyn's birthday party outside in our yard.

Now, let me explain about Ben and the yard. It is his passion, is hobby, his creative genius space. (And right now I want to smack myself for not taking more pictures of it, but I will do that soon.) This is why God put Ben and I together. While my brain was firing off about details on one side and not even thinking about the yard, Ben's brain was only thinking about the yard. I was concerned about what people would eat, Ben was concerned about where they were eating. Love him.

So Ben worked and worked and worked on the yard, and made it so beautiful. I am so proud of him (you rock babe!). 

We got a tent, a table, and threw a party.

 The weather was perfect. The company was perfect. The only way it would have been better would have been to have our far away family there! And all of the help that went into creating Kaelyn's first birthday party made it absolutely wonderful.

It was a sweet sweet day to celebrate Kaelyn, have fun with our dear friends, and provide several toddlers with the sugar rush of their lives. (Oops :)

Now the tradition in my family has always been to bake the birthday cake. I am surrounded by talented women who can create and ice a cake like no one's business.

I, however, took a walk on the wild side and ordered her cake, but still wanted to make pretty things.

I found these several months ago and had my heart set on making them for the party (and my heart is forever grateful to Courtney , who rocks, and helped me out with pointers!)

Since Kaelyn loves getting a taste of lemon or lemonade, we went with a cute lemon/lime theme for her birthday!

Cake Pops:

Party favors:

The cake:

All the fun stuff~

Presents!

(My sister made her a mini-apron. HEART.)

Audra made Kaelyn's birthday outfit... precious, right??

Grandmama and Papaw: (who helped out in so many ways, we love you guys!! )

Uncle Chris eating, I mean, helping.

I love baby communication! I wish I would have tried to get a picture of all the kids that were there together, that would have been hilarious.

Fam

Friend and party picture-taker Em :)

Icing!!!!

 ( In true Kaelyn fashion, she did not dig into the cake. I was hoping she would tear it up. But no. She hates anything sticky or slimey on her hands, so she would only very gingerly stick her finger in the icing and lick it off, which was pretty cute. At one point, like she usually does during meal times, she stuck her hand out to me with the "will you please wipe this off? It's bothering me" face.)

This was her face when we started singing to her.

Happy Birthday my love. Here's to many, many more.

Go get 'em.