Have you ever seen such a magnificent spread? I haven't been to many first Birthday parties but I think this may be the prettiest I will ever see. I arrived an hour an a half before the party was to start. Both girls were asleep and Sarah and her mum were calmly putting the finishing touches on food and the set up. I was there to help but there wasn't much lef to do, they were so organised.
There was one very important job that Sarah's mum, proud grandmother, jumped at - get the girls when they woke up, feed them and dress them in their party clothes.
You've never seen eyes so big as Miss B's when she got up and saw the balloons everywhere. She was quite taken by them. Sarah bought the outfits and her mum sewed the 1s on the front of them.
Aren't they just the cutest things?
The food spread was incredible. There may have been a few late nights in the lead up to the party but I'm sure Sarah thought it was totally worth it when she saw it all come together. There were little tiny teddy racing cars and tea cup cookies, cupcakes baked by our friend Kate, little elephant decorations galore thanks to our crafty friend Alana and elephant and number one sugar cookies thanks to Alana, Sarah and me spending and entire day in the kitchen last week.
It never ceases to amaze me how long some things take. We thought a couple of hours would knock it on the head to whip up 150 sugar cookies, ice them and make 40 cake pops. How wrong we were. Alana literally spent at least 2.5 hours rolling dough, cutting dough and baking biscuits. She was a machine! Then it took us about the same time to ice them all.
I've included the sugar biscuit recipe below (thanks Alana). It's a great one for making shapes because there's nothing worse than baking and elephant that ends up with one big fat leg or a trunk that looks mangled thanks to some serious dough spreading in the oven.
Every little detail was perfect. Sarah even made the giant number one on the front door out of tiny little homemade crepe paper flowers. Mum's chicken sandwiches made an appearance too.
I don't think a professional party planner/stylist could have done a better job do you?
The very lucky girls got lots of pressies but the guests received presents too. Our elephant biscuits were packed up two by two and adorned with handmade tags and each guest was given a sweet treat to enjoy when they got home (if they didn't eat them in the car).
Birthday cake time proved a little bit of a challenge. I imagine keeping one party hat on a one year old would be quite a challenge but imagine two. Just when one hat was in place the other would go flying. We did manage to snap a few photos of their adorableness and it made for much entertainment. The girls were just fine with about 10 people snapping a million photos of them.
Even the little cakes made purely for the girls to play with were perfect.
After mummy and daddy helped blow out the candles it was eating time. Miss L, quite different to the cake smash photo shoot, wasn't really interested in her cake.
Miss B on the other hand... she did what we all wish was socially acceptable for adults to do - stuck her face right in there and savoured it.
She wasn't too happy when her mummy took the cake away though.
It was nothing a little chunk of cake couldn't fix. Doesn't she look content?
We adults were treated to a more grown up cake made by their wonderful mum. Didn't she do an amazing job? Sarah doesn't even really make cakes and said she had no idea what she was doing. Clearly she was a master baker in a previous life. Her very clever husband even helped out with the icing. See what I mean? They're super parents!
It was an absolutely wonderful afternoon and everyone had a fantastic time. I don't think I heard a single cry from the many kids there, except for Miss B when Sarah took her cake away. Well done Sarah!!!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 185 g butter
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups plain flour
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth.
- Scrape down the sides and then add the egg and flour.
- Process until the dough comest together in a ball and is nice and smooth.
- Shape the dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 30 minutes (you can freeze the dough at this stage too).
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C fan-forced and line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Unwrap the dough and flour a work surface lightly (or work on baking paper).
- Roll the dough out to about 5mm thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the trays leaving 2cm between each one.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
- Leave to rest on the trays for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Ice or serve simply sprinkled with a little sugar.
Melanie Louise says
Wow. What a beautiful birthday party, the attention to detail is amazing - looks like the hard work payed off :-) the girls look adorable in their party outfits.
Claire says
Wasn't it beautiful? My friend did an amazing job!
Sophie - thestickyandsweet says
This is the prettiest 1st birthday party I've ever seen, do you think the Mum would do one for me next year?
Claire says
Shall I ask her for you Sophie?
Shyla Ramos says
Oh my goodness! Everything pink was adorable. I wish I had thought of doing this but in blue for my son Adric's first Birthday last month. But he had fun and the little girls looked happy and ready for fun.
Claire says
Didn't she do a wonderful job?! You can save it for next Birthday Shyla!
Rachel says
Claire, this is amazing! I've already sent my sister the link of your blog for my nieces 1st birthday in 6 months! Such a great idea, very well organised. And with twins to plan and prepare this is amazing!!!
Claire says
Thanks Rachel. Sarah did a brilliant job didn't she?!
lizzie - strayed from the table says
Oh my goodness - so PINK. The spread looks stunning - I never realised people really do go to all that effort for a kids party. Looks like it would of been fun after a champers.
Claire says
Isn't it incredible?!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That spread is incredible! And it looks like the set of a Martha Stewart parties shoot-they did a fabulous job with it and the girls look so sweet too :)
Claire says
That's exactly what it looked like Lorraine! Straight out of the magazine.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Claire they are adorable. No wonder everyone is at their beck and call. :) I LOVE those cookies!
Claire says
Aren't they Maureen?!
celia says
What a party, Claire!! That's it, I think you and Will will need to have a house full of small children, so you can give them parties just like this! Make sure you add a few girls in the mix! And congratulations to your friend for staging one of the most impressive one-year old birthday parties I've ever seen! x
Claire says
Ok Celia I'll tell Will! I will pass on the congratulations she most definitely earned it. x
Linda says
So adorable!!! Could you let me know how to make the teacup cookies?
Thank you
Love all your wonderful ideas!!!!!
Claire says
Hi Linda. It was beautiful wasn't it? I can't take credit it was all my brilliant friend. Here is a recipe for the teacup cookies http://www.kidspot.com.au/omofunzone/Cook-Cups-and-saucers+1720+569+sponsor-recipe.htm
Hotly Spiced says
What a beautiful party for two gorgeous girls. I can imagine you running behind with the making of those sugar cookies - have I mentioned 200 cupcakes lately??? Yes, large numbers are deceptive. You just don't realise how long it's going to take. I'm glad the day went well. I bet everyone was exhausted after it all! xx
Claire says
Haha you may have mentioned the cupcakes once or twice? Nope you have to double the time you think then add it it. It went perfectly! x
Jess says
Oh my are these pictures precious! What a fun, beautiful party! That layer cake is spectacular. Maybe your friend has missed her calling and should open a bakery. ;)
Claire says
Isn't it? I'll tell her Jess!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I can't imagine the amount of work that went into this beautiful party! Your daughter is gorgeous and will love each and every party you throw for her. Absolutely fantastic. Have a wonderful mother's day!
Claire says
Thanks Tricia but they're not mine I'm afraid although I'm honorary Auntie.