Big Girl Birthday Pool Party!!!

July 16, 2011

This is a bitter-sweet post, so some of the readers might need a Kleenex box.  Fair warning.

Poppy was so excited when Matt suggested we have Isabella's big birthday party at the farm, we never thought twice about changing it.

Let me back up a little bit and give some history (perhaps those Kleenex's will come out sooner rather than later??).  Dottie was always known for her parties- birthday, pool, cookout, holiday- you name it, she had a party for it.  She did her parties up right, you know what I mean?  None of this unoriginal party planning blah blah, she was so methodical and creative (I can only hope to some day come up with some of the ideas she did!).

We haven't had a party of the Dottie caliber since she passed away (yeah, it is coming up on 2 years soon- so hard to believe it has been that long).  Bill really wanted to work on the pool, landscaping and have the party there, and I thought it would just be perfect (quick pause for a Kleenex fetch).

Pool Party Time!

Bill worked incredibly hard, along with his business partner Kris, they did more landscaping, flower pot designing and cleaning up than I ever thought possible!!  All of this, while we are trying to plant our huge garden!!  Insanity!  And totally worth it!!

You are probably wondering why we had it on a different day than her birthday.  Well, the kids (meaning Sha, Kate and TJ) were at the beach and they would miss it.  We couldn't have Belle's favorite cousins missing the biggest party in a long time, so it was solved: July 16th it is!

Katers & Belle.  She loves cousin Kate!

Big thanks to a special cousin- Kate- for playing with Belle while we set up the last minute decorations for the party!  She had a blast playing with Belle and Isabella just loved hanging out with her (her little face lit up every time Kate walked into the room!). 

The party started at 1 with food being served around 2.

Everyone arrived, had a fabulous time hanging out with Isabella, eating, swimming and just generally chillin' out.

Grill Master Flash (Andy)

We had a lot of good cookout grub- the usual, plus some specialty local and family dishes.  Everyone scarfed down the food, so I feel safe in saying that it was good! :)  Andy was our Grill Master, flipping, grilling a lean, mean beefy/swiney spread (I took everyone's word on this!).  Thanks to Andy, it was great!!!

Then, again, comes my favorite part:  The Cake!

ERRRRRRT!  Stop, halt, wait just a minute!  We can't progress forward with the eating of the cake until we do the dressing of the babe.  Okay, so basically, I had a crazy number of outfits (go big or go home, right?) for Isabella.  She started off with her regular dress- see hanging out with Kate pic, then she had the dress I made to match the party, then she had her tanktop/tutu outfit to wear while she ate her cake, plus she had the bathing suit as well as clothes for afterwards.   A girl's gotta have options,  right? Bahahahaha

Sweet Baby Birthday Girl and Mum.

Okay, now that she has her fabulous tutu on, I can continue.

about 1/3 the line of people taking pictures

Once we walked out of the house in her new outfit (tutu ensemble), I felt, for just a brief moment, like a celebrity bodyguard.  Nope, not kidding, there was a line of people taking her picture (and there I was, toting the "celeb" while the paparazzi snap their million dollar photos).  I gladly handed her to the proud host: Poppy!

Isabella again had her own smash cake, this time it was white butter cream with a big orange "1" on it.

The Dessert Spread!

The Dessert Spread:  We had large sheet cakes (from Costco- YUMMMM!) for everyone else to dig in to.  We also had chocolate sprinkle covered strawberries (feel free to ask me what time we were making these!! ;)  haha) watermelon,  and icecream sandwiches of a variety of flavors from the Creme Stop!  Yum!!!

Big Orange 1 Cake!

So, here is the fun details from Isabella's second go around at a 1st birthday cake!  Of course we have the regular tiny touch, while looking around to make sure it is okay.  Then we have more touching, along with wild arm waving, a few pieces of cake flying into the grass.  A few bites of the icing, more smooshing of the cake, followed by oodles of fun!  She was even so dainty as to eat her cake with a fork! 

big bite of sugary goodness.

fork eating.

Clothes Update:  She did get a little icing on her tutu (maybe 5 dots) and a little on her shoulder (don't ask me how).  She had two flecks in her hair (I laughed at this) and the usual icing ring around her mouth and a load on her hand.

Matt and I had a great time encouraging and helping her eat the yummy cake again!  :)

After food, guess what is next.  Yep, you got it: a dip in the pool!

This is one of my favorites. <3

The plan was to let Aunt Meggie and Kate take Belle into the pool, with Matt and I watching and cheering from the side, however, Isabella had other plans.  She whimpered a little as Kate took her in and just squeeled once she got her toes in the water.  Not good.  Mum and Dad had to get their suits quick and hop in- outcome: Happy Isabella.  She smiled and giggled as soon as I got her (I am usually the one holding her in the pool- her comfort zone I guess!)

She played around with Olivia in the pool for a while and splashed, having a good time.  A bunch of the others were in and out all afternoon- it was perfect weather for a swim and a nap (just ask Zack!). :)

After she finished taking a dip with Olivia, it was time to open presents.  Isabella was sweet and told Olivia to come and sit with her (Olivia is a little over 2 years old).  They had a blast, opening presents, playing with the toys, then Olivia was very into reading all the cards- TOO CUTE!

Excited about a present!

Isabella was very blessed with some super cool toys (she loves them all- most of the time she bounces from toy to toy, equally playing with them- like she can't quite decide on a favorite), good books to read- I am very excited about this-, along with a children's book from Spain and her fun red beret from Pamplona, Spain (Thanks Linn!!!).  Notice she is wearing the hat??  She wore it the whole time she opened presents.  Cool. Did I mention this is my fashionable child?? ;)

She likes eating cake, so she eats the fake cake.

Bill, Ryan, TJ and Bill.  Playing Serious Horsehoes.

Isabella was a doll.  She spent time with each of her new gifts.  Inspecting, looking over, pushing buttons.  I liked that she was thoughtful with each toy, rather than throwing it to the side and ripping on to the next one.  She gave most of the toys to Olivia as soon as she was finished looking at them, so that they both could play with their new found goodies!  :)

After she finished opening her presents, everyone just relaxed, playing horseshoes (a heated game ensued for most of the day!), making s'mores,  and just enjoying the time with friends and family.  As for the horseshoe came, I believe Bill and TJ came out on top, but Kate, Ryan and Dennis sure gave them a run for their money a couple of times!!

Folks started packing up their things and saying their goodbyes (you have to start this about 30 minutes before you want to really leave with our family- it's big!) around 7.

<3 her.

Shortly before this (maybe 5:30ish) Isabella could hold on no longer.  Yep, that's right folks, she went without a nap (bless her heart, it wasn't without many people trying to get her to take a nap!) until 5:30 in the afternoon.  She finally crashed while Aunt Meggie was holding her (and chatting with everyone).  It was the sweetest thing!  If you look close, you can see a drool blob on Meggie's shirt!  bahahaha love her!

I am still in shock that we had so many people (60- yikes!) to the farm for Isabella's party- we are so blessed.  I am thankful Isabella had such a great time with everyone and that they enjoyed her bubbly company.  I am also thankful that she was able to brighten up a bitter-sweet day. :)

Thank you Isabella for making your own party such a joy- and thank you everyone that attended the party- you made it unforgettable for us all!

Here's to new beginnings.

Be Blessed.