Happy 1st Birthday!

My mind is baffled at the thought that I have a one year old daughter. I feel elated and so proud of myself and Jon for having survived the first year. It was difficult but something I've learned from my church is the more difficult the more happy those sweet moments are. Clara is an absolute delight to be around (as long as she's been fed and napped!). She loves to learn which  keeps her mind constantly curious and me on my toes! She loves bath time, and lots of balls, and pens, and tearing magazines!

I was blessed to throw Clara two birthday parties. We spent a month in Orlando and Daddy got to join us for a week to celebrate Clara's BIG birthday! My parents rented a beautiful room in the perfect park located in Winter Park. The theme was Little Miss Sunshine.

Here are some pics!

 My parents were kind and rented a facility in a beautiful park, Azalea Lane Park

 Clara's birthday theme was "Little Miss Sunshine" based on a children's 

book with the same title. 

 I contacted a lady from Australia who did the same theme for her 

daughter's first birthday. I purchased the chocolate labels and in this

picture you can see my sad attempt at making cake pops at 3:00am

while a family of raccoons watched in horror- true story!

I set-up a coloring station for the kids. Clara got to take home

some darling drawings from her guests. 

This is what the final dessert table looked like. 

I was so proud of myself!

Each child got to take home a "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Mr.Happy Book"

plus some yummy treats! I also had some of the kids use photo props.

We LOVE our little 1 year old!

Clara wanted to go outside and play in the awesome park.

The park was designed for small toddlers and yes, I rented out the whole park for

Clara's guest! Every now and then the train would ride by and all the kids

would yell in excitement! 

Clara overcame her fear of balloons just in time for her birthday!

I had a cotton candy machine

I baked Clara her "smash" cake. 

I ordered this adorable hat from Etsy and I made the Clara banner.

Clara's cake was baked at "Clara's Bakery". It was delicious!

Clara and her grandpa Allan

The room had a mirror which of course Clara LOVED!

We LOVE our Little Miss Sunshine!

Clara and her pals! Plus my grandma holding baby Briana. 

Chicago!

Jon, Clara and I had a great time visiting Chicago. Even though jon caught a stomach bug and Clara was teething. There were moments I felt like I needed a vacation while on my vacation but it still felt good to get away and miss home for a bit.