Leading up to Pip's first birthday I'm in full-planning party mode...And trust me friends, when it comes to planning I'm not so great...I usually swing things which drives my mother crazy...Noal's two birthdays have been at their house & way easier to do or "swing" in the summer when you have warm weather & a BBQ to fall back on...


A mid-December birthday in my mind is not the greatest- Pip was supposed to be born December 31st & I was hoping she'd stay in till January- But like all things Pippy, she was & is full of surprises...So December 15th it is...


I'm throwing her a little First Birthday Tea Party & I am doing it on a major budget...I love Pinterest for ideas but I hate Pinterest for ideas- I mean you could really go all out for these things, but trying to keep it real here...I've made the decorations & invitation myself, I'm borrowing items needed & fingers crossed it all works out...


There is so much Pinterest pressure out there- I mean Mummas are really creative & the ideas, oh the ideas...I'm trying to keep it simple so here's my Pinterest inspiration {click to see entire board of ideas}...I've been busy dyeing dollies so my hands have a teal-ish tint to them...



What really got me in the birthday mode was receiving Pippy's 1st birthday care-package...As mentioned before my parents pour their little hearts into these things...My dad draws elaborate scenes on the packaging- today's reflecting a little teddy bear picnic which had Noal squealing...And my mom goes all out - finding outfits to match Pip's new glasses, cozy pjs, Christmas stuff & of course Pip's first tea set...



Normally someone rings the doorbell & leaves the package on the door step so when we open the door Noal screams in delight....Not the case this time...Both hooligans were in the playroom but as soon as Noal could see it he automatically starting singing "Happy Bird-day"...These days any type of present or cake for anyone gets an automatic song- When I told him it was for Pip, he immediately ran into her room & came back with almost every headband she owns...He demanded that we all wear them while we open the package cause it was "Pippy's bird-day"- Well of course then...Makes sense...







This package also held a very special surprise- My oldest friend in the world sent beautiful little earrings for Pippy, touching cards from her kiddos & a promise to make it a tradition since she was part of getting Pip's ears pierced...Love that Laurs- how very special....




And really nothing better than getting a good day's play outta a box- Amazing how much my kids love a play in one... 




Still finding it hard to believe Pip is turning one- I mean the year she's/we've had has been something else...I'm not sure if I'll even be able to find words to describe it...So instead I'm working on my own something special for her...Can't wait to share it with y'all in a few weeks...