I love (planning) a good party

My hobby is planning parties. I know it may seem flippant and shallow in a world where so many people are hurting daily. I think the point of hobbies, however, is to create restorative space that heals and soothes the soul so that we are better equipped to do the hard work required of us. The bad stuff in the world can easily set me reeling. But planning a party that will bring someone else joy is a salve that works every time I look at my Pinterest boards. Self-care is a good thing folks, and not to be taken lightly. If tinkering in a woodshop, creating works of art, or playing with Dubsmash is your ticket to relaxation, then go for it. Doing the dishes or filling out that TPS Report can wait. 

With that said, I thought I'd walk down memory lane and share a party with you - the kiddo's first birthday party. The theme was bumblebees (the most beloved of the insects). All of the photos below were taken by the wonderful Jaime Scott. 

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This is a picture of the smash cake. I kept it simple - just a small rectangular vanilla cake with yellow frosting.


If I recall correctly, I designed the cupcake toppers using a free bee clipart download, and I added some concentric circles in Publisher. I printed them in color on cardstock, and added the fun, bouncy wire. 

There were two cake options for everyone else: Cupcakes with yellow frosting, or the beehive cake above. I originally wanted a cake that looked like this, but cake decorating is not my forte. So, I went a little crazy with yellow food coloring and almond slices, and I think the finished product is cute enough.

Here's what the food layout looked like (after people already started eating... whoops!). I used an old shower curtain for the tablecloth, and potted gerbera daisies to hold dowels for the streamer across the top. I think I got the cute felt bee buckets at Target in the One Spot, and they were perfect for small bouquets. 

I tried to keep most of the food and beverages in the yellow family. These cookies were super simple to make, and definitely evoke bumblebees with their brown chocolate stripes.

Favors were in little gift boxes from the Dollar Tree that I snazzed up with a combo of stickers. The yellow flower stickers gave the boxes a nice pop, and the little bee stickers in the middle brought everything back to the bumblebee theme.

And finally, no first birthday party is complete without a picture of a cheeky baby making a big ol' mess. It's hard to believe this little one is already four years old!!! Stay tuned for more pics of other party fun. There's always another one in the works!