Mazzy’s birthday may be this Monday, but that will have to wait, because we are not finished talking about her little sister’s birthday yet. Yes, it was two weeks ago, but sometimes my blog doesn’t move at the speed of life.
Is everyone ready for the breakfast extravaganza that was Harlow’s first birthday? Because there were CRONUTS involved, so this is SERIOUS.
Okay. Now, before everyone starts saying things like, “I would never make that much fuss over a one-year-old’s birthday!”, please remember one of my best friends is Seri Kertzner from Little Miss Party and this has been her gift to me for two years running (see Mazzy’s third birthday extravaganza last year).
Seri loves the opportunity to create a party for my kids and I just go along for the ride. I don’t think it’s lost on her that she gets some Mommy Shorts promotion out of the deal. (Use Little Miss Party for your parties! She’s FANTASTIC!!!!)
A few weeks prior to the big day, Seri and I had lunch.
“What do you want to do for Harlow’s first birthday?” Seri asked.
“I don’t know. I think the important thing to ask is— what do YOU want to do for Harlow’s first birthday?”
“Where do you want to have it?”
I told her I wanted to do something small in my apartment. Something on the early side. With as little people as possible. I was thinking about serving pancakes. “They’re easy, inexpensive and everybody loves pancakes.”
“OH MY GOD!!!! A PANCAKE PARTY WITH BABIES ALL WEARING PAJAMAS!!!!!”
This is how Seri talks. She’s very excitable.
“Sure. A pancake and pajama party. Let’s do it.”
Then Seri followed up with some VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
“What color do you want the cake?”
“Pink.”
“Do you want alcohol at this party?”
“Yes.”
“How about peach bellinis?”
“Great.”
“Do you have a mini muffin tin so we can bake little frittatas?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to serve coffee?”
“Definitely.”
“What do you think about having an activity table set up in Mazzy’s room for the preschoolers?”
“Perfect.”
“What four sugar cereals would you like for the cereal bar?”
“HOLD UP. This needs some serious consideration.”
“I’ll wait.”
“Ummmmmm………………………………………………………… Okay, I got it! Fruit Loops, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs!”
“Excellent choices. What do you think about Bantam Bagels?”
“What’s a Bantam Bagel?”
“It’s the bagel version of a munchkin, with cream cheese or butter filling.”
“Love it.”
“What’s your favorite cupcake from Butter Lane?”
“Salted caramel with the popcorn on top. Obviously.”
Then I asked Seri a very important question of my own.
“CAN WE HAVE CRONUTS??????!!!!!!!”
If you don’t know about Cronuts, they are all the rage in NYC. People arrive at the SOHO bakery where they are made at 4am to make sure they get one of the few available that day. People sell them on the black market. I’m not even joking. I’ve been dying to try one to see what all the hype is about for months.
Seri said she would look into it. That evening, she forwarded me the most hilarious email ever.
Yes, for only $1900 ($76 per cronut), you too can give your one-year-old and her two best friends a trendy pastry they won’t even remember by the end of the day!
This, my friends, is why people think New Yorkers are CRAZY.
I was about to resign myself to living a Cronut-free life forever, when Seri discovered they sell imitation Cronuts at a neighborhood bakery called Chickalicious Dessert Club. They are $5 a piece but Chickalicious said they would donate six to our cause.
Spreading the word of $5 Imposter Cronuts being just as delicious as the $76 original being a VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE.
Okay, now that you’ve got the planning down, let’s fast foward…
Check out the spread!
I know— RIDICULOUS. Here are the Imposter Cronuts in all their sticky flaky sugary glory.
There was one person there who claimed he had eaten a real Cronut and said the Chickalicious Cronuts were actually better. See? I just saved you $1900.
Look at our homemade frittatas! Mike made them!
And those peach bellinis you heard so much about…
Wait! WHERE ARE THE PANCAKES???? Here they are, silly…
In little stacks with sparkly gold flags on them, OBVIOUSLY.
Seri put the Ban Tam bagels on little sticks and they were a huge hit. Actually with the bagel munchkin pops and the Imposter Cronuts and the Lucky Charms and the Butter Lane salted caramel cupcakes, nobody really touched the pancakes.
Did I mention we were all wearing pajamas? It was supposed to just be the kids but then a few days prior, Mike made an important announcement.
Mike: I’M WEARING PAJAMAS TO THE PARTY.
Me: What? But, I don’t own any pajamas suitable for public viewing!
Mike: Not my problem.
A few years ago, I bought my husband a pair of pajama pants for a holiday present. He’d never worn pajama pants before and it took him a few months before he actually put them on. But soon, he was a changed man. Mike changes into his pajama bottoms almost immediately after he walks in the door every night and apparently, he’s been dreaming of displaying his “leisure attire” on his second daughter’s first birthday for quite some time.
The night after Mike’s announcement, I bought a new pair of pajamas for the party. THEN, on the day of the party, Seri showed up in a freakin onesie and handed my husband a navy one-piece of his own.
Mike could not put that thing on fast enough, he was so excited.
Truth be told, my husband looks kinda sexy in a one-piece, doesn’t he?
I’m more about the button down men’s style pajamas myself. Especially around company. Who else was there wearing pajamas, you ask?
Well, the birthday girl, of course.
Don’t make fun of her fluffy bunny slippers. The girl will CUT YOU.
Big sis was there too.
Along with some friends.
Grammy was there in animal print PJs…
Not to be confused with velvet-clad Grandma…
Poppy made an appearance…
And the rarely photographed Dr. B was there with my adorable nephew Jack, who is busy working on his evil glare for 2014.
Here is the birthday girl looking anything but evil…
And, of course THE CAKE…
The cake was from Magnolia, who is really great for last minute cakes. I’ve used them in a pinch twice now.
Then we all stuffed our faces.
When everyone wasn’t eating, the kids were playing at the activity table. Activities consisted of stringing fruit loops on lanyards and decorating party hats with stickers. Simple and no mess.
When that got boring, they climbed into Harlow’s crib…
And then climbed all over Mike…
Wondering who took these gorgeous photos? That would be Raquel Bianca, of “Monday Morning” series fame.
The actual cake smash went just about as well as Mazzy’s first birthday cake smash. Which means— not very. I wanted Harlow to go to town, but instead, she licked her finger a couple times, humored us with a smile and was done.
Requisite family shot:
Guess whose face I swapped out for a better face from another shot in the photo above?
And finally, if you’ve stuck around this long, you are in for a treat. Since so many people have said, “Gee, I wish I had a kickass party planner for a friend…”, today, Little Miss Party is giving out a customized “Party in a Box”, handcrafted and personally put together by her, with the theme of your choosing (up to $150 value) sent to anywhere in the US or Canada.
FYI- Seri is from Canada so she really wanted to make sure the Canadians weren’t left out.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
1) You must be a Mommy Shorts facebook fan to enter. Then answer the following two questions in the comment section below: a) Whose face did I swap out in the requisite family photo above? b) What theme would you want your “Party in a Box”?
2) For a second entry, follow @mommyshorts on Pinterest, find the graphic below on this board and repin it. Then leave a comment below saying you did so.
Winner will be selected from those who answered “the face” question correctly and will be announced on Friday, Dec 13th.
Good luck!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Sarah for guessing MIKE as the photoshopped face! And here’s what she had to say about her ideal birthday party theme: “As much as I’d love a pink and glittery party, much like your pancake party…I’d have to go with a gender neutral theme of “vintage circus in a box” type party!”
I hope you love your circus themed Little Miss Party in a Box! Please email me at ilana@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize!
What a pretty party for little cutie!
LOVE this party- brilliant idea and beautifully executed.
Harlow’s face seems to be shopped in :D.
My daughter is turning 5 shortly (:O), and she is a girly girl who likes building, bikes, and general geekery. So we would probably do such a theme, with a girly twist.
I have just realised I haven’t stopped smiling all through your post.
What a beautiful party!
And how kind of your sister to let you post a pic of your nephew! I’ve been wondering how she’s getting on.
Is it Hubby’s face? My little man could use a Superman theme – or general superhero flavored theme for a guy named Max.
) Whose face did I swap out for a better face from another shot in the family photo above? I am going between you and Mike, but I am going to say you (although you never take a bad pic, so it probably isn’t) b) What theme would you want your “Party in a Box”? Car’s, trucks, jeeps, tractors, anything that goes for my soon to be 3yo in March.
also, pinned it
Harlow’s is the only one that looks swapped to me. 🙂
My SIL is having a baby soon and I want to do either a mustache shower for a boy, or a girlie pajama shower for a girl! 🙂
I’m think you photoshopped yourself. And P. Rose’s first birthday isn’t until May but I’m thinking something with roses. Big brother turns two Monday!
What a super cute party! Love when everyone seems to be smily and enjoying themselves!
That is so awesome!! Wish I lived in NYC! I’ve been reading Seri’s blog for awhile (thanks to you) and will definitely be reaching out to my fellow Canuck for a party-in-the-box when my little one’s birthday rolls around!!!
Followed and pinned as well. (Decatursmama)
I had to read your question about five times before I started to understand it, but I think I do now, and I think Harlow? As for theme, forget the kids, let’s do a more adult theme – Sushi and Suchi!
This was a hard question to answer…I’ve been staring at the screen for a while, but I THINK the face you swapped was Harlow’s?
The party I would like if I won would be a cars party for my two year old daughter.
a. I have no idea. Harlow’s?
b. I’d love a Batman themed box. Thanks to my husband, our two year old is OBSESSED.
i think you swapped out harlow’s face.
i would love a party box for my soon to be 1 year old son. i can’t really think of a theme as his interests are mainly putting everything in his mouth and opening cabinet doors and taking everything out. so probably anything would work!!
1) Harlow!
2) I’m totally snagging the breakfast party idea! We are huge breakfast people so having family over for breakfast is a fabulous idea! BUT if I win, I think I’d ask for a custom party for myself for a summer party for all our friends 🙂 (hey kids don’t know!)
and I pinned too! 🙂
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/64035625925586783/
I think you swapped Harlow’s face although I am just taking a wild guess. I would love a stars themed party for my daighter’s first birthday next July.
I would guess Harlow’s face was swapped.
And, as for a theme – how about a masculine tea party. No frilly doilies or dainty teacups here! (My almost-3-year-old loves tea.)
Ooh, first time commenter here! I’m guessing Mike’s face.
And my son turns one in June, I’d love an alligator party for him!
It is definitely Harlow’s (she is looking straight at the camera, that hardly ever happens with a 1 year old and to have everyone looking at the camera at the same time is like a magical unicorn!)
For the party, my almost 3 year old (he will be 3 on 1.7) loves swimming and Mickey Mouse – how is that for a theme?!. He has moved and welcomed a baby sister this year and we would love to give him a special party : )
I think you photoshopped yourself b/c that is what I would do 🙂
I would love a zoo animal party for my little silly bear turing ONE in December!
p.s. I found a recipe online for cronuts, everytime I make them they are a hit! But then I also gained ten pounds so stopped making them. But still. Point is, save yourself $1900 and make ’em yourself. Not hard, just time consuming in small increments (to make the puff pastry from scratch as yes I did. And no I am not a baker just someone who appreciates white flour and white sugar mixed with butter and grease. Until they gain the aforementioned 10 lbs, then not so much)
I’m thinking Mike’s face, because is neck along the left looks a little photo shopped? But, I also thought Harlow too…so anything goes!
Theme would be twinkle twinkle little star- for my daughters first birthday (not until June next year!)
I think Harlow’s face was swapped.
Our baby boy turns 1 in Feb, being our 2nd I have yet to actually think about his party. Now that I am, I realize how desperately I’ll need a fantastic theme because, February, upstate. ugh.
I *think* Mazzy’s face was swapped. Have I seen that exact expression before? Just a guess. Beautiful family photo tho, swapped or not!
My 20 month old would love a children’s book themed party for his second birthday in March.
Nice work on the photoshopping I actually can’t tell but I’m going to guess Mike because his would be the easiest to get it. My little one would love a “forest friends” theme as we live in a small town surrounded by mountains/forest. PS, I’m from Canada 😉
Ooh, tough question. I’m a graphic designer, and I have to say if I didn’t know there was swapping, I wouldn’t have guessed! You do good work – but I’d have to say you or Harlow. The mustache party in a box is adorable!
Harlows face was swapped!
I would love a pirate themed party in a box for my son’s 6th birthday!
I love the theme for Harlow’s party. My little girl turned 1 on Nov. 2nd and we had an owl themed party for her.
I think Harlow’s face was swapped! I also follow MommyShorts on Pinterest and totally repinned the party! When I have a little girl, this will definitely be a theme to mimic! 🙂
Our Leap Year babe turns TWO (unofficially, of course) in February, and I would LOVE to throw him a Mustache and Bow Tie Little Man party! For living in MN, we need something fun to get us through the end of winter!
I’m guessing your face.
Not sure on the theme for next spring but I’m guessing it’ll either be ballerinas or princesses!
I love the breakfast theme! I did that once for a baby shower! So nice!
And yes – I’m repinning this! So cute!
a. I’m going to guess Harlow’s face was swapped just because it’s too perfect getting her to look right at the camera!
b. I am already planning a Donut and Milk party for my little guy who turns 2 in February. I might have to steal some of these breakfast-themed ideas from Harlow’s party – especially the pj’s! I like it because I don’t have to bake 🙂
And I definitely already pinned that picture before I even knew it was an extra entry! Here’s my pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/271693789993946863/
a) Harlow
b) Planes
Pinned it!
1. I am going to say you, but have no clue really.
2. My daughter turns 1 in March and we are thinking about a ladybug or butterfly party. It will be at a community center with a gym with riding toys and a party room with activity tables.
Amazing looking party!
A. I think you swapped your face.
B. I would either do a rock star box for my daughter or some arts and crafts type theme. I’d have to ask which one she’d like more!
I also pinned on pinterest
Pinned it!
your mother in laws hair is just about the most amazing ‘do i’ve ever seen.
i wish jack made more appearances on the blog! he looks so evil/sweet and it’d be great to see more of him, although i understand Dr. B’s reservations. How are the girls enjoying cousin-hood?
i love your blog! it’s hilarious, and I’m not even a mother.
I love this so much. I passed it along to my wife and I’m almost positive she’s already started planning our daughter’s third birthday party. It’s genius, really.
I’m going to say Mike. And we would have to do a rock star party. My girls are obsessed with music, dancing, and Selena Gomez. 🙂
Pinned it!
A. Definitely Mike’s Face.
B. I would love a winter wonderland themed party. It’s snowing outside right now and it’s so beautiful and magical. I think it would make a gorgeous party.
Also, I pinned it!
a) Whose face did I swap out in the requisite family photo above? YOUR HUBS??
b) What theme would you want your “Party in a Box”? I’D WANT AN ANIMAL PARTY!
I think it was Mazzy’s face.
We’d want a cats and dogs themed party.
Why has no one asked the most important question, which is, WHERE DID YOUR HUSBAND’S UNION SUIT COME FROM? I need one.
PS I pinned it too!
I think you swapped your face in the pic.
And even though my baby girl is only 6 weeks old, I’ve know for a while her first birthday party is going to be themed “If you give a moose a muffin” brunch party (and this blog post will be helpful when planning!)
I pinned too! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/97320041921507858/
Definitely Mike’s face. Is The Wizard of Oz an option for party themes? I’ve been losing sleep over what to do for my soon-to-be three year old’s birthday.
a. I am going to have to guess it was Harlow’s face since she is currently on quite the streak of evil glares lol
b. I would definitely love a panda themed party in a box for my little girl’s 2nd birthday in January.
I also pinned it here: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/207095282838574596/
Pinned 🙂
I believe little Harlow was the face-swapping victim…
Would it be awful to request the same pajama/breakfast themed party for my daughter’s 2nd birthday? I actually just really want an excuse to drink bellinis in my pajamas.
Also repinned here: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/496029346429898191/
Pinned! And I think Mike’s face is swapped 🙂 I would love a Dino party or Where the Wild Things Are party box for Noah’s first birthday!
I’m guessing it’s Harlow even though I can’t tell AT ALL! Good editing 😉 I pinned the picture onto my birthday board for my little man, it’s going to be farm animal theme since his favorite books are farmy farm and cows that type.. Lol 🙂
a) Harlow, I think…
b) I’m dreaming of a vintage sleeping beauty, heavy on the animals.
I pinned it!!!
:0)
a.) Mike b.) some sort of Princess breakfast (for a 3 year old girl at the end of January) c.) Thanks for the giveaway!!
Pinned it! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270849365063567269/
1. Your face was shopped in 🙂
2. I would love a party in the box for a garden flower party. My third child I refer to as my little flower and it would be wonderful to have a fanciful flower party for her first birthday 🙂
Mazzy’s face? And my daughter will be five in March. She loves all things sonic the hedgehog, minecraft and Lego related!
First, consider it repinned. Second, I think it’s Harlow’s face. Third, yay for allowing Canadian entries! Fourth, I would totally do a Monster theme. I’ve got my second son’s first birthday coming up in February and my first son’s third birthday coming up in March. Their birthdays are less than a month apart, and I’m seriously considering combining their party this year. >.<
Precious Harlow’s face was swapped!
I want the same pancake party, but for adults! Haha
I followed on pinterest and repinned!
a) My vote is it was your face that was swapped…
b) I would love help putting on my annual Kentucky Derby party – teaching Texans how to truly appreciate the best day of the year is hard work!
a.) Harlow
b.) big trucks (toy that is) for a soon to be 3 year old boy at the end of January.
OMG ! I love EVERYTHING about this party and would LOVE to win a ‘party in a box’ for my first little guys first bday in January!
I *think* you swapped out Mikes face?? And I would LOVE a vintage race car themed party
What a beautiful party! I wish I had girls to something gorgeous like that for!
1) Your face is shopped.
2) My oldest son will turn 5 in May and he is having a firetruck party!
A) mikes is.
B) my daughters birthday isn’t for awhile, but I’d love to do a “breakfast at Tiffany’s” or in her case “breakfast at Cecelia’s”
a) Mazzy
b) Peacock – Oh, how I would ADORE that!!
c) I repined!!
It was all divine, btw!!
I believe Harlow’s face is photoshopped, but very well done! I would love to have a party box with an animal theme. My little guy LOVES animals.
Ha! J. Crew. Hope your husband wears it well!
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/underwearsleepwear/unionsuits/PRDOVR~35189/35189.jsp?color_name=Dark-Navy&TCode=GGBS00006_99103214381&sisearchengine=197&siproduct=35189&noPopUp=true&gclid=COmax6eNl7sCFQ7xOgodFgQAPQ
I think it’s Harlow’s, although you’re all so gorgeous it’s hard to tell 🙂 As for our part box wish? A black and yellow damask princess 1st birthday for my Ava.
I’m guessing it was your face. And I would like to win a my-birthday-is-too-close-to-Christmas themed party for my grandmother’s 90th.
I think you swapped out Harlow’s face, the way Mazzy is looking at her gives it away lol!
I I’m chosen for the party box, my daughter will be turning 8, and she would absolutely love a hello kitty themed party.
Pinned!
Harlow looks photoshopped. 🙂
I’m going to be an unabashed copycat here. I love your pajama party + breakfast idea, and would so love to do the same theme for my son when he turns 1 in April!
Also, followed and pinned. 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity!
harlow’s face was the one that got Photoshopped. I would love to see a process themed party box cine in my mailbox ( my daughter turns 3 in Feb) 🙂
a)Harlow
b)Monsters Inc. or a girl superhero party
I would say Mike’s face. My party theme choice would definitely be GAME OF THRONES.
A) Harlow’s face?
B) Super hero party!!! We just had the first boy in 18 years in our family 🙂
Loved the photos!!! Looked like so much fun!!!
Oh, and I pinned on Pinterest.
I think maybe Mike’s face? You did to good of a job so it’s hard to say…
I would love an owl themed party in a box! My daughter just had her 1st birthday in October, but she will have another soon enough!
I say Mike’s face was swapped out. Is there a “Party in the Box” for teens… I know you are thinking teens are too old for parties..but my daughter turns 15 in January and has never really had a fabulous party ..she loves sports..so sport theme. I’m from Canada if that helps my cause 🙂
LOVE your blog/writing
Pinned!!
I think Harlow’s face was swapped…and a unicorn party for my upcoming 5 yo’s bday would be sweet!
You swapped out your husbands face! And we would love a winter one-derland themed birthday party in a box for
Our soon to be 1 year olds birthday in January! 🙂 (we love in Florida where there is hardly a winter, so it’s ironic) lol
I would love a “Where the Wild Things Are” themed party box for my son’s first birthday. That book was my husband’s favorite when he was a kid (mostly because his name is Max too), and since we didn’t give our son that name it would be nice to at least give him a party.
I think you photoshopped your own face (although I’m sure the original was lovely).
Cool party theme, btw, I might have to make it a new trend!
Mike
Art themed party for my 6 year old girl
I love your Pinterest board & repinned the graphic above onto “Ending on a Sweet Note” because your party was pretty sweet.
A. It looks like your husbands face to me
B. My girls are obsessed with Snow White. So I would gladly like that Party in a box especially since the parties in a few weeks.
A) Harlow?
B) Sports theme for my soon-to-be 5 year old!
Baby Harlow for sure! And I am attempting to do a navy blue and light pink polka dot party for my baby’s first birthday. So far the invites are done but not mailed… and the party is this month!
Re-pinned 🙂
Your face.
I want to do a papagayo theme for my 1yr old’s birthday in January, although if I don’t win a box I’m totally ripping off your pj party idea.
harlow!! LOL
I would love to do a outdoor movie themed party! I was just thinking of this same exact one for my soon to be 4yr old. I always get ideas and then get in full on stress mode when I plan alone. I already started pinning this party before I saw this and had changed my mind to do something different. Now I love this one again! Oh and I WANT LITTLE MISS PARTY AS MY FRIEND!!!!!!
Repinned on Pinterest.
I say Mazzy’s face because I have an almost 4 year old and getting her to look at the camera AND smile is just about impossible without some sort of bribe.
My girl would love a sparkly pink and purple party. She has glitter running through her veins!
a) I believe Mike is photoshoped (sorry!) b) my son’s birthday is in January and he is all about the Octonauts now, but I’d love to see a pirate theme done professionally!
And re-pinned the pic 🙂
Love these jammie pics! Adorable party 🙂
I am going to guess Harlow 🙂
My theme is Dr Seuss, specifically thing 1 and thing 2 from cat in the hat. I have twin girls and regret not doing that theme for their first birthday, so I would love to do it for their 4th in July.
Your face. And I would want a candy theme party in a box 🙂
I think Harlow’s face was swapped
I want to do an owl theme for my daughter’s second birthday next year.
On that note, where did you get Mazzy’s owl PJ’s?
I can’t even handle how cute this party is! Everything looks amazing, right down to Mike’s onesie.
a) Harlow!
b) I’m dreaming of a gold glitter party…