a beautiful first birthday party


I can't believe how long its taken me to sort through photographs from Quinny's birthday party. We held it a few days after her birthday, and considering she's fast approaching turning thirteen months I figured that this post was long overdue. We had a lovely celebration to mark the end of her first year, and our first year as a family of five; we were surrounded by friends and family, and our little missy just loved being the centre of attention.


I was determined that we would mark her first year with some sort of party. Both Dylan and Everly had big first birthday parties which I loved throwing for them. It's such a big milestone and it's nice to acknowledge it. Admittedly I think first birthdays are far more for the parents than the baby, because Ashlyn clearly had no idea what all the fuss was about. But do you know what, we survived a year with three children; more than survived it, we loved it, and I think that deserves a celebration.


Sadly when you are the third baby, your mummy is too busy with other things to drag you along to lots of baby groups, so you have no baby friends of your own. So unlike the previous two first birthdays I've thrown, we didn't go down the traditional route we did before; booking a hall, setting up some toys, sorting our own food, spending far too much time on decorations and inviting lots and lots of children. This time I booked a gorgeous little tea room near us, who could give us sole use and also provide us with a yummy afternoon tea. We invited closest family and friends only. We kept the whole thing very simple and sweet. The tea room was the perfect pretty location for our little gathering, and everybody left with bellies full of scrumptious sandwiches and delicious cake.

I did still make her birthday cake. It was a tradition I had started with Dylan that I simply had to continue. It had to be a rainbow cake, just like I made for a certain big brother's first birthday all those years back. Rainbows and bright colours have become something of a trademark for our little Quinn; and a rainbow cake has a certain "wow factor" befitting a first birthday.

The only other thing I did to make the party a little bit special, was to buy lots of party hats (and demand that everyone wear them throughout - which our guests were very accommodating about), blow up some pretty confetti balloons, and pop some photo props on a table so that everyone could goof around taking photos with the birthday girl.

I think we celebrated her in style and smiles...!


13 comments

  1. Oh Lucy that cake!! You did an amazing job! And it looked like she had the loveliest little 1st birthday party! :D xx

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    1. Thanks, it was the perfect celebration for our littlest lady. We all enjoyed it so much. x

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  2. Happy birthday little lady, a wonderful tea party to celebrate her milestone

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    1. It really was the cutest little tea party. We all enjoyed it. x

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  3. Aw this is so cute. It looks like she had a lovely first birthday and that cake looks amazing, you did such a good job. x

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    1. Thanks Katie. I'm glad that I did the cake, although I was stressing about it no end the day before. You only turn once after all. x

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  4. What a lovely idea Lucy! Well done on the rainbow cake too, I know what a stress they are to make after baking one for E's first birthday. In fact she's requested one for her 6th birthday so I better prepare myself! xx

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    1. I made lazy rainbow cake this time around, after making it properly the first time. It was much easier and quicker and didn't taste any different. x

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  5. What a truly magical magical birthday for Ashlyn. What a lucky lady too, to have so many amazing family and friends around her to love her and guide and support her while she grows up. I am totally jealous of all that fun with the photo props and that cake and it really seems like the best tea party every hosted. Happy birthday my little sweets. I think she may be the fast growing up baby I have ever known...wasn't she just born,... weren't you just telling us at CP that you were pregnant? It flies by. xo

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    1. Thanks lovely. The time really has flown since I told you girls at Center Parcs and I still hadn't really got my head around the whole thing. Can't imagine life without the little munchkin now. x

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  6. That cake is fab! I love that first picture of Ashlyn looking up at her daddy, its adorable and wonderful capture. I think a tea party sounds perfect for a first birthday party and it looks like you all fun. x

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    1. It was really sweet, I'm glad I didn't go to the both of trying to throw a full-blown party, as it wouldn't have been for her really as she'd have no idea what the fuss was about. This was such a lovely way to celebrate, just simple and fun... and full of cake! x

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  7. Loved the rainbow cake but doesnt even come close to the sweetness Quinny made me feel. She really sooo cute. Great pics Lucy and a great cake too :)

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