Day 361: November 21 - How to throw a ladybug party!

Katie's first birthday party turned out awesome!! The ladybug invitations were so fun to make. For the party, we decorated in black and red, and even bought candy to match. The ultimate were the Kiss band M&Ms. For party favors, we made ladybug cookies, and the kids were able to decorate them themselves. The littlier kids got a ladybug book to take home.

My friend Marie made the ladybug cake, and it was beyond my wildest expectations. The appetizers were made by Daddy and cousin Christen and were crackers with cheese spread then tomatoes and olives form the ladybug. I'll be starting a tradition with her birthdays where I have a signature mat and all of the party attendees sign it. I think this will be really cool to watch it evolve each year she grows older.

The reason Katie's eyes are all red sitting in front of her cake is because she was NOT a fan of all of the attention being on her while singing Happy Birthday. As soon as everyone started singing, she started sobbing. Poor girl!

A highlight was that while the party was ramping up, Daddy drove to the airport to pick up Grandma A. She's spending the week with us and made it just in time to celebrate Katie's first birthday.

The final touch for her party was the one year slideshow I made. It turned out PERFECT, and I still tear up watching it!

Link to her one year video:

http://karenkga.shutterfly.com/241