November 8, 2010

happy, happy birthday to my willy boy

birthday table.



William's birthday bash was a hit! It all started with the circus invitations I made, so naturally, the theme was a "circus" theme. I know it's not the most original of themes but the colors are so amazing and the possibilities are endless. 
I wanted to have a big party with all our awesome friends here but in the end, our apartment is very tiny and we didn't have another option for a venue. Thankfully, my parents and David's family were willing to drive the distance. It meant a lot to me that my parents came to their 35th grandchild's birthday. Heaven knows they've been to their fair share of them! Of course, William is much more of a novelty in David's family as the first grandchild. I love coming from a big family with lots of nieces and nephews but it's also nice to marry into a family where ours is the first. Everything is a "first" and it makes it really fun and special.
We started the party with a video/slideshow that I made of William's first year (here's the link if you're interested in watching it). I popped some salt & pepper popcorn which everyone ate while they watched the video and I started assembling the lunch. Of course, I had already watched it a million times while I made it, so it was fun to hear the laughs and sighs coming from the family who loves William.
Lunch was green salad with oranges, candied pecans and feta cheese along with French onion soup and turkey, havarti and cranberry sauce paninis. I also made salted toffee squares which are my favorite food right now. Plus David's mom made her delicious homemade chocolate ice cream, which is always a treat. It was quite delicious.
The gift opening was quite hilarious. This was William's first experience with unwrapping a gift and I thought he would be really excited about the paper and ripping it up more than the actual gift. You know, like other kids. Not the case. He was furious when I kept taking away his new toys! I had to laugh when I stepped back and saw how many presents this boy received - lots of books, puzzles, animals, cars. Good stuff.
Then we stood around and laughed while I presented William with his cake. The night before the party I made the cake. It came out of the pans perfectly and all was going well until I started frosting. I could not get the right consistency (cake decorating was my worst subject in culinary school) and my mom and I had one of our giggle fits, which was the perfect remedy for all the stress I had put on myself trying to have the perfect party.
First, he danced while we sang "Happy Birthday" and squealed for all the attention. Then he grabbed the cake. He wanted in.

Then I took away the cake after I realized the small candy hazard.
Then I re-presented the cake sans all decoration. He tasted the frosting and liked it.

He tasted the cake and didn't like it.
Once he started "massaging" the cake on his highchair tray, we knew he was done.
on a mission: must destroy cake.
It was a fun party and I feel glad that everyone came, glad that we had a good time and glad that it's over. I need some serious R&R (which is just sad because it's a toddler's birthday party)! Happy Birthday sweet William!

25 comments:

  1. What a beautiful party Liz! I love the boxes of animal crackers. And the video...so sweet. I love that Mindy Gledhill song, it was perfect. I can just see you crying/laughing the whole time you were making it!!!!

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  2. Wow! The food alone looked amazing, and the decorations-- to die for! I'm so glad he had fun at his birthday party! I loved the picture of him demolishing the cake! What a cutie!

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  3. LOVE the theme and decor! Too cute! You are adorable! And I have to admit that last picture is my favorite! In love with those big beautiful eyes!

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  4. Gorgeous assembly (decoration, food menu and people) for adults but most importantly, colorful, kids-friendly and fun for your little Will. Well done, as always Mrs. Bryant!

    (That last picture of Willian and the lollipop is screaming for "an official framed spot" at your house, AND your hubby's work desk. :))

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  5. Everything was so cute!! I love the theme and the last pic of William... magazine or commercial pic! I also loved the video you made, Erin did one for Parker's first birthday too and at the end she said Parker was going to be a big brother, fun way to announce her pregnancy, huh?

    I love the whole party and it was a nice way to be there without really being there! ;D

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  6. Love the bright colors! They speak of a celebration giving way. Everything was adorable. I was practically drooling over mention of your lunch menu. Any way you'd share the salted toffee recipe please?

    What a lucky little one year old dude to have such an event. He is super cute.

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  7. Oh...everything looked so cute. I'm glad both set of grandparents were able to make it.

    Happy Birthday William!!

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  8. What a wonderful birthday party! I love your choice of a circus theme, and William really seemed to enjoy it - as did your whole family.

    Blessings!

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  9. are you KIDDING ME?????? this is the cutest thing ever! you are a miracle. that's right, a miracle.

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  10. Love it! Fantastic job! I too did the same thing with my daughters cake. I used Necco candies and pulled them off before I let her have a go at it.
    I love all of your dishes too!

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  11. Oh My Gosh!! Everything is so cute!! You are talented - the invite, the table, the cake, the food you made.... seriously? That looks like the cutest party! And your son is adorable too!

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  12. I will be hiring you in one year for little sage's birthday! haha so so so cute! LOVE the video! Love the song choices. He really is so cute...happy birthday William!

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  13. What an awesome party! You are so creative! I miss having little kid birthday parties. Enjoy it while you can!

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  14. So fun! Everything looks perfect! Happy Birthday sweet William!

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  15. it turned out so so great, the last picture is my favorite. and we were totally there in spirit.

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  16. tears are still falling from that video...so precious. Can you please tell me who sings that last song about the little boy growing too fast? And the decorations/food, ugh..where do I even begin. You. Are. My. Hero.

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  17. darling and delicious! and i love the invite!

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  18. adorable. just plain adorable. the whole thing. you are such a party throwin' diva. Love it all!!

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  19. You are so talented!! Everything looks just amazing:):)I especially love the picture at the end, just tooo cute:):)

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  20. What an adorable party! I love the last picture the most!

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  21. What a wonderful party! I love too many things about it to pic just one! ;) Happy Birthday to your sweet boy!

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  22. I LOVE this party idea, and will most likely borrow it but you won't believe this...I'd do it for my 18 year old when he turns 19...he still, to this day, loves all things 'Circus' and would get a real kick out of a theme party now that he is officially an adult!

    My favorite pic is the last one, I'd frame it if I were you!

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  23. Wow, Elizabeth. I am in awe. Everything looked so colorful and perfect and delish! And I especially love your invitation! You are one talented woman! And that William seriously gets cuter every day. He does! (The picture of the cake minus the choking-hazard-candies kills me. And then him massaging the cake . . . so funny!) (I'm a girl all about the exclamation points, apparently. I can't help it! :) ) Way to go, Mama! And happy birthday to sweet, sweet William! :)

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  24. How do you make the turkey, havarti and cranberry sauce paninis?

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  25. this party is so great - everything looks adorable. great job, and happy birthday to the little one!

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