Lyla's 1st Birthday Party

On Saturday May 9th, we had a party to celebrate Lyla's 1st birthday. It was so much fun planning and organizing for this gala event. It seemed to Ryan that I was planning a small wedding. Food to prepare, flowers to order, Edible arrangements to pick up, decorations, balloons, singing Elmo and singing balloons. You imagine it - we had it - well no balloon guy or bouncy thing - but we did have a great 1st birthday.

These were the invitations. If you remember, I won them in the Ultimate Blog Party. They were very cool and from Scrapless Press. I am going to get them to make me some Thank you notes as well.



We had 26 guest come to celebrate Lyla's big day. All of our immediate family came. My parents came a couple of days early to help prepare, and without them, especially my Mom, I wouldn't have been able to pull this event off.

My mom thought of this cute idea for favors. It was a small children's sand pail with a pansy in it. The turned out really cute and look great lining the table.


Ryan and my Dad (Papa) went out the night before and got a bunch of balloons for Lyla. Lyla loves 'ba-woons,' and even today we still have 5 floating ba-woons in our kitchen.

My mom and I made 2 meat Lasagnas and 1 Spinach Lasagna. We had a vegetable tray, chips and salsa, Caesar salad, garlic bread and then the main courses of Lasagna.

For dessert, I had decided that I wanted to make my own birthday cake for Lyla's birthdays. I just needed some help. My friend Barb from work had taken some cake classes and she was kind enough to come to my house to help me decorate our 2- 12 inch cakes. I made a small bear cake just for Lyla to look like her favorite Teddy bear - Ted-day.

Lyla did not eat a lot of cake, she more explored the cake. She mostly played with it. It was great fun to watch!







After cake, we opened gifts. Lyla was so spoiled by every one's generosity. She does not need any toys for a long time.

It was great to see everyone and be able to celebrate this special day with our families. It was great seeing Lyla with her small friends and cousins.

Dearest Lyla,

It is so hard to believe a year has flown by.
It feels like yesterday that I was holding you in my arms, and you fit from my elbow to my wrist. I remember the moment I first saw your face. Those blue eyes searching out my face, seeing who had been talking and singing to you for months.

I remember your first smile, your first giggle, your first tooth, your first roll, your first word, your first step as if it all just happened.

The first year is full of so many achievements, and you continue to amaze your Daddy and I.

We are so proud to have you in our lives. And we are eager to continue to see you grow and learn. I promise to continue to smile, laugh and love you for the rest of your life.

Thank you for coming into our world and making it complete. Happy 1st Birthday.

I love you...