Kinley's 1st Birthday Party!

We celebrated Kinley's 1st birthday on Saturday the 15th (the weekend before her real birthday).  I had been planning it for the last couple months but nothing major, just writing down ideas and not accomplishing much.  I'm sure you can guess that I was scrambling all week leading up to the party to finish all of projects on my list and finalize other details. 

 

I think her "cute as a button" party turned out pretty cute!

 

The birthday girl cooperated that morning and took a good nap.  She woke up to discover balloons which she loved!  She still loves playing with them at our house and saying "boo" or some combination of ballooon.

And now, enjoy the picture overload:

Dessert table - cupcakes, smash cake, chocolate dipped pretzel rods & oreos

 

Food table!  I opted for heavy appetizers since it was a mid-afternoon party and it worked out great.

 

The guests & gifts are starting to arrive...

 

I made the banner that says "Happy Birthday Kinley" and framed her invitation that I loved.

 

Wall of "birthdays" - monthly pictures, but I dropped the ball on the 12 month picture and didn't have time to develop it.

 

Drink station outside - I'm a sucker for mason jars & paper straws!

 

Blair & Maxon were SO excited to play with Kinley but she looks less than thrilled. :)

 

Quick family photo!

 

Me and my sweet pea

 

Kinley & GG chowing down.

 

I like to get candids so we can remember all the people that celebrated with us!

I'm sure there was a very important football game on the tv...

Snacking and socializing

some of the outside crew...

 

After eating we decided to do cake just in case the birthday girl was ready for a nap soon.  All of us thought that Kinley would dissolve into tears the second that everyone started singing to her -  she's not one for attention or big crowds.

BUT she surprised us!  She didn't mind us singing and then tried to grab her candle, ha!

 

She was a dainty eater and didn't want to get messy at all - darn it!

She would periodically wave at her crowd like a little movie star, it was too funny!  (maybe she does like attention...)

Still picking away...

I tried to get her messy but she just wasn't having it!

I think she made a good little dent in the cake - success!

 

Then we moved onto presents which I was a little worried about, too.  I figured that she would find one that she liked and not want to open anymore.  Boy, was I wrong!

 

She started tearing into the tissue paper and was genuinely interested in what was in every bag.  (My parents got her the white rocker which she loved).

 

Some of the toys got her really excited!  Look at the smile!

 

She really liked the activity cube from aunt Coco.

 

Mommy helping her dig into more gifts...

 

She had to stop and read all of her books...

reading out loud - she's advanced.  ;)

 

Thanks, everyone!  I had her dress made to match her invitation and I'm so happy with how it turned out!

 

This might just be my favorite picture ever, this sweetheart melts my heart!

 

Just hanging out with some of her buddies, Mackenzie & Clayton.

 

Kenz was reading to Kinley.

 

Then we all hung out and enjoyed the gorgeous afternoon!

 

Kinley & Delaney playing on the old rocking horse.

 

Birthday girl playing in her mound of tissue paper!

I still can't believe how well she behaved!  She enjoyed everything from the food, to cake, to the gifts and smiled the whole time!  She was exhausted at the end but still didn't go to bed until the evening - sugar high??

 

Kinley, we love you to the moon and back and are so proud of the sweet and sassy little girl that you are.  Your fun personality grows every week and I'm so excited to see what the next year of your life has in store!