In the few months leading up to the babies first birthday I began wracking my brain over what to do. We have a rather large extended family and many friends with multiples so our guest list was a decent one, too large for our home to accommodate. At the same time, I didn’t want to spend money on renting a venue, nor did I want to haul the babies somewhere with their needed gear.
In Texas, July is generally scorching hot and unbearable for outdoor fare. My friend, Jennifer, suggested hosting a “Splash Party”, which was a fantastic idea. It was something we could do at home rather inexpensively, would allow for guests to comfortably spend time outdoors, and provided an activity for the babies. Together she helped me plot the big event complete with agenda: smash cakes followed by splash time (to rinse off frosting without a bath), quick clothes change, cake for guests and then gift opening.
We set the yard up with “stations” to help disperse the littlest party guests.
I used an old tub as a sand box and placed it under my mom’s beach umbrella. A laundry basket housed water toys. The baby Adirondack chairs were a birthday gift that were just right for our “beach” station.
The babies received a children’s picnic table with umbrella as a birthday gift from their Aunt Carol. We borrowed my parent’s awning and bought several inflatable pools
The babies got the giraffe pool with slide as a birthday gift as well. The tiny pool behind the bigger one was filled with boats and fish that could be caught with a fishing pole.
The baker’s rack on our porch held towels, sunscreen, and bubbles for guests to use.
Our menu included items that doubled as beach themed decor. We served up pimento cheese sandwiches, veggie crudites with green onion dip, fresh fruit, and goldfish/ veggie sticks/ cheese puffs. While P, B & J sandwiches would have been easier than pimento cheese, there were WAY too many babies who had not yet tasted peanut butter to experiment with that. Our beverage station boasted basil lemonade, mint tea, bottled water, and of course juice boxes.
George carved a watermelon to look like a shark.
I filled a beta fish bowl with goldfish crackers and blue M & M’s. We skewered grapes and put them in a vase.
Aunt Cici’s gift to the babies was a stunning three tiered cake and turtle smash cakes from The Occasional Slice. I was absolutely impressed with Lindsey’s artwork on the cakes. With a close look you’ll notice each edible detail from the sea shells to the painted turtle shells. Usually I am not a fan of fondant besides admiring it’s beauty, but she used marshmallow fondant and it was delicious.
Lindsey, to the right of me is the artist behind the beautiful cakes.
As party favors, I filled cello bags with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, crazy straws and sunglasses (for boys) or flower clips (for the girls). I tagged them with our family stamp that reads, “with love, George, Amber, Rylin, Harper, Sydney & Mason”.
To keep babies away from packages, we stored them in the foyer.
I used the fireplace to pay homage to the babies’ growth during their first year. I strung a pair of each baby’s preemie sized pajamas along a clothesline along with a hand and footprint made in the NICU.
I hung paper lanterns that resembled beach balls from the ceiling fan.
Just prior to the party, George used plywood painted with magnetic paint to cover the opening to our fireplace (more about that project later).
Magnetic letters created a fun sign for the babies.
I am always grateful when guests make an effort to attend a party and carefully choose a gift so I try to be prompt on thank you notes. To make it easier on myself, prior to the party, I printed a copy of our guests addresses on blank labels, stamped cards with our family signature, and stamped envelopes with our return address. It worked out well because our thank you notes are already written. Stay tuned for a play by play from the party and more pictures.
hugs,
Amber
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