Sunday, March 14, 2010

Noah's first birthday party!

Whew.... our birthday party weekend has come to a close. Yesterday we celebrated Noah's very first birthday. We were truly lucky to have so many friends and family come share his special day with us. And, let me say, for the record, that the weather was beautiful! For those of you who do not know, anytime I plan a party there is some kind of bad weather! But, yesterday, we got lucky! It was funny too, because the weekend that Noah was born it rained, and rained, and rained some more! Everyone thought it was appropriate because of his name. So, after watching the weather daily this past week, I had prepared for a rainy first birthday. But, I guess God had different plans for Noah's special day and the skies were Carolina blue!
I have to say I truly enjoyed planning all the details for this party. So, I thought I would share Noah's day with you summarized in photos! It was a bittersweet day for me as my little baby boy turned one... but at the same time, such a happy day to watch his little face when we lit the birthday candle, and watch his little chubby fingers pick at the icing on his cake, and then watch the smiles when we patted his head to make his hair stand up with the electricity from the balloons! I do have to say the two truly funny parts of the day for me were first that although Noah loves to hear music, he did not really seem to enjoy everyone singing happy birthday. Maybe he thought our voices were just that bad????! And, after we gave Noah his little birthday cake, he was very serious as he picked at the icing. I, of course, was trying to get a photo of him smiling with the cake. So, Bryson, being the sweet brother he is, jumped right in and decided to help make him smile for me. He grabbed Noah's foot and started sniffing it and saying..... "stinky feet Noah, stinky feet Noah!" Noah laughed and laughed... and so did the rest of us! (video of that to come later!)

































Some people at the party asked me about a couple of things I used for Noah's celebration and I thought I would share those "little details" I was talking about earlier that I love planning!
Noah's birthday cake was AMAZING! I have used the same girl for several of my recent "event" cakes and they are all fantastic! her name is Jackie Treschl and she is local and is starting up her own bakery. For now, her "bakery" is her home kitchen, but I have a feeling she will be moving on to a bigger and better kitchen SOON! She is fantastic, ALWAYS good and ALWAYS adorable! You can check out some of her cakes on her blog.
All the cute little cupcake toppers and treat bag toppers and water bottle labels came from an Etsy vendor that I just LOVE! Dani of DaniNotes is also truly amazing! I have never been able to email someone ideas that I have and then when they arrive on my doorstep they are exactly what I envisioned! She is good! She has said before, maybe "it's a fellow mommy thing!" She is also the mommy of three boys. She has her Etsy shop as well as an online boutique and blog. Check it out!
And, I HAVE to mention one of my FAVORITE details about Noah's party - his party hat! I Just loved it! And, believe it or not, he did not scream to take it off either! I happened to discover StellandLivi Designs on Etsy and instantly knew that I wanted to see about doing a custom hat for Noah. I posted about his hat earlier this week. I just have to also say, that this was a situation where when it actually arrived at my doorstep I ripped into the package like a child at Christmas! The hat and bunting (banner) were so cute I almost physically jumped up and down! You would have thought it was my own birthday! Teresa at StellandLivi is as talented as talented can be when it comes to creativity with felt! Just beautiful! If you have a little ones with birthdays to celebrate, you have to check out her blog to see what she has created! And, as absolute joy to work with . Noah's hat was custom and she could not have been easier to talk to about what I needed.
Finally, I have to share this little idea I read on another website or blog or something (I cannot remember). I bought the Dr. Suess book "Happy Birthday to You" at Barnes and Noble and used it as a guest book. I asked each guest to write an happy birthday message on a page of their choice in the book. This way, it's like a guest book, but also a keepsake that we can read to Noah year after year on his birthday!
So, as I mentioned, this party was so much fun to do. And, truthfully, the "elephant" theme just sort of evolved. It was never really "planned." But, using the elephant made the party favors so fun and cute. To explain, the young children received the clear boxes with animal crackers and the ellie on top, the older children received the handmade lollipops as favors, and the adults received the peanut treat bags with those cute treat bag toppers. Elephants and peanuts... what could be cuter????!
And, if you would like any info on the handmade lollipops, email me and I would be happy to share. I have done these a million times and they are always a hit with older kids. They are simply melted bits of candy (in this case, blue and green Jolly Ranchers). Easy and adorable party favors!




* Thank you to Party Perfect who also posted Noah's party and to StellandLivi who mentioned it too!

41 comments:

daninotes said...

So ADORABLE! Every detail is perfect! and thanks for the mention :)

Suzy said...

What a gorgeous party! I love love love his little hat! Happy Birthday Noah :)

I'm putting together some posts on 1st birthday parties and would love to link to your blog if it's ok with you :)

testing 1 said...

What an absolutely adorable party! I've been coming across some amazing elephant themed parties and would love to share yours with my readers.

Save the Date for Cupcakes said...

So cute~ I saw it over at Party Pefect, and had to stop by!

~Tanya

Steph said...

JENN!! oh my goodness i am just now catching up on noah's party!! ADORABLE!! hope you don't mind if i steal a few ideas for reagan's first birthday :) i LOVED the cake...I think i will call her to make one for reags!!! you did a great job and i LOVE LOVE LOVE the "happy birthday to you" book idea!!!!! hope you guys are doing well :) :)

Bumpkin Hill said...

My goodness me, that is the cutest party ever, I love the elephant theme, Noah's hat was so sweet. Hugs, Catherine x

Jill said...

Love this idea, can you share with me where you found that size of clear boxes and the little elephants

Details Details Details said...

I think your party was just beautiful! I am also interested in finding out where you got the little elephants? I would love to use this kind of idea for a baby shower. Thank you!

Kelli Rye said...

Loved your party ideas so much, I'm using them for my son's party in July. We are doing an ocean theme. However, I've contacted Dani at Daninotes about providing the cake toppers, goody bag toppers and water bottle labels. I was curious as to how many guests you had and how much "stuff" you ordered. Your input would be greatly appreciated!! :) Thanks!

Andrew and Carter's Mom said...

I'm having my son an elephant themed 1st B'day soon as I ran across your blog! It's exactly what I'm wanting to do for him, even the color scheme! Can you tell me where you got the small plush elephants, I love them?? acharapata@comcast.net

jenn koehler said...

Hello Kelly Rye,
Sorry I have not gotten back to you. I hope this reply gets to y ou somehow. I could not locate an email address for you on your blog... but... I LOVE Daninotes! Dani is the best. She has "whipped" up many things for me recently! I had about 30 ish people there (adults and kids) and I think I ordered a dozen H2O labels and cupcake toppers. The toppers were ok, as I had cake to serves as well. But, I wish I had ordered more H2O labels. At least 2 dozen. And the stickers and stuff would just depend on how many treat bags you need or what you were going to use them for. You can alwasy ask Dani too, she is a big help!
Thanks for your compliments!
~Jenn

Anonymous said...

What a precious party! Would love to know where you go the blue plush elephants. Celebrating my twins' 1st bday in a few months and this would be a perfect favor!
Thanks!
tinyteev@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I came across your elephant themed party while planning my own son’s 1st birthday. It is absolutely adorable. Would you mind sharing where you got the little plush elephants and the clear boxes. Thanks! Lindalou06@aol.com

Lucy said...

I came across this adorable party a few months ago and borrowed (okay, stole) many ideas for my son's 1st b-day party. Thanks for including all of the great vendors in your post so I could use them too!

http://moderndayrickyandlucy.blogspot.com/2010/06/little-rickys-birthday-parties.html

Amy said...

I LOVE this idea and am also stealing some of your ideas for my son's first birthday. I was also wondering where you got the little blue plush elephants and clear boxes. Thanks for all the great pictures and inspirations!
saperwin@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Totally adorable! I saw your blog while searching for an elephant themed birthday party. My son will have his first birthday come September and I would really love to borrow your amazing/wonderful/smart ideas. Could you pls. tell me where I can get these adorable elephant plush toys and the clear plastic boxes? Thank you!
babes_elise@yahoo{dot}com

judith said...

Really nice pictures of 1st birthday party. It is the most important day of kid's life and you have done a great job in making it special.

Norma said...

Could you please share your lollipop recipe? I have three boys also, so treats for partys are a challenge!

Unknown said...

I would love the recipe for you lollipops! I also have three boys and treats for birthday are always a challenge!

Unknown said...

I would love the recipe for you lollipops! I also have three boys and treats for birthday are always a challenge!

Unknown said...

Could you give me your recipe for the lollipops. I have three boys too, so you have to have treat for all ages!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love the elephant party. I really want to use some of your ideas for my son's first birthday party. Can you tell me where I can get the stuffed elephants and clear boxes?

jenn koehler said...

To the above person "norma" who asked about the lollipop recipe..... Yes,I would love to share that recipe/how to instructions with you. Please email me at dkoehler1@nc.rr.com if you are still interested and I would be happy to email back. Thanks!

jenn koehler said...

The small blue ellies that I used for the party were found at Ikea in the children's decor section. The clear boxes are from a great online resource called Garnish. Their actual site is thinkgarnish.com. Thanks for asking!

Christie said...

What a beautiful party! I am currently planning my son's 1st Birthday, even though it isn't until October. You have great taste :)

DearDale said...

I agree with everyone that the details are amazing! Way to go Awesome Mom!
I am planning my little girl's 1st bithday also so this is very exciting for me to see such a fun and sophisticated party!

lOVE IT

Anonymous said...

where did you get those little stuffed elephants? i have been looking for something like that and can't find it anywhere?

jenn koehler said...

Thank you for the comments! The little blue stuffed ellies are from the children's section at Ikea. Not sure they still carry them, but online you might be able to find something close. Good luck! Email me if I can help out anymore!

Anonymous said...

hello..im a new mommy and i was looking around for new ideas i loved your elephant theme...i would appreciate it if you could share your recipe of candy lollipops made with jollyranchers...thank you for your time..

Anonymous said...

hello..im a new mommy and i was looking around for new ideas i loved your elephant theme...i would appreciate it if you could share your recipe of candy lollipops made with jollyranchers...thank you for your time..karlitatronix@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Was anyone able to find similar elephants? Ikea doesn't have these anymore :(

Anonymous said...

Can you please share your lolli recipe with me too? Love your party! So cute! Kimycarillo@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Noah's party was perfect! I'm in the process of planning my little Evan's first birthday party as well. I was wondering where you ordered the elephants that you put on top of the clear boxes for party favors. Love it!! Thanks!

Emily said...

This is a very cute idea. I am about to be planning my son's first birthday and love the elephant theme... where did you buy all the decorations?

Anonymous said...

Hey your website is good for baby. like that..Baby birthday

Thanks

Alisha khan

Unknown said...

Its a beautiful decoration. The color is very pretty. I especially liked the cake.

Anonymous said...

I love your party decor! Where did you find the small elephants and clear boxes for the favors. Love those! Thanks

Anonymous said...

Where did you find the Thank You tags for the bags of peanuts?

Anonymous said...

Excellent Post.
Very beautiful all pictures. Thanks for sharing with us.
Elephant Hatte til voksne
Thanks a lot.

Anonymous said...

Adorable 1st birthday party for Noah! I just stumbled across your blog and have some of the same ideas for my sons first birthday. I'll be having some older children at the party and would love the lollipop recipe. Thanks for sharing your party with us. Also, I love love Noah's birthday hat. It's exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks for sharing your party; you've truly inspired me. :)
adialn@yahoo.com

Ken Jones said...

That was one nice party. We shall use some of your ideas at our reptile party this weekend.