Gemma's Shabby Chic 1st birthday party!!

Happy Birthday Gemma!

 

Phew - the party is over and a success :)  I worked tirelessly on Gemma's party for a couple of months, here and there mulling over the tiniest details that really weren't important, but I wanted it to be just perfect.  Thanks to pinterest and my friend Maria, I was able to put together the most perfect little princess Shabby Chic party!  It might have been a little overboard, but she's my last and my only girl and I just had to, haha.  It didn't help that we had Reid's party in April, Micah's in May and our 10 year anniversary trip all before her party, but now that it's over, I'm very pleased with how everything turned out.  And Gemma seemed to love her party, which is what's really important.  She didn't dig in crazy like Reid did with his cake, but she also appreciated it more than Micah did with his.  She also did so great with so many people here, and thankfully it wasn't a rain out like her older brothers were this year!  It was a hot hot day, but as my mom dutifully pointed out, I did not pray for no heat, just no rain, so God did, indeed, answer my prayers!  Thank you Lord :) 

Sweet treats table!!  The most intensive part of the planning probably - but I love how it turned out, from the tutu skirt to the coral and teal colored chocolates and cookies to the tissue balls and burlap signs. 

 

 

My big DIY project for her party, the fabric banner.  I adore how this turned out, and how relatively easy, just time consuming, it was to create.  The "G" in the middle was my friend Maria's idea and I think it was such a nice touch to the banner.  

The "Wall of Gemma" - displaying her growth of months 1-12 with 2 pictures for each month.  You can see the paper tissue flowers on the table - I used those throughout the house in mason jars in lieu of real flowers.  

 

 

 

And the favor boxes and Gemma stats chalkboard, right when guests walked in.

  

Baby girl up from her nap..."who ARE all these people??"

 

My silly Reidees

 

Guests enjoying the party :)

Cake time!!!  "Happy Birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday dear Gemma...happy birthday to you!"

 

 

 

The aftermath.

 

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...cause you took my cake away!"

 

The guests got to fill a treat bag to take home with them from the sweet treats table, and my mom helped direct that activity.

The birthday girl!

Gift time!

 

What a blessing to have so many people celebrate Gemma's first life with us.  Thank you to my friend Noelle who captured the memories with her camera and to all the friends and family who spoiled our little girl.  Happy Birthday Gemma Jams!  We love you so much.