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!
Was it Mazzy?
My baby turns 1 Jan 9th, I don’t know what theme I would want, but if I win I could decide!
What a gorgeous family you have!
Hmm…I think your face or Harlow’s…have to choose one…Harlow.
The breakfast theme is awesome, or maybe also for my little guy turning 2 in February who may or may not be a big brother by then, a giraffe theme.
Pinned! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/254523816414623882/
I keep staring at your beautiful family and I can’t really figure out who you swapped out…great editing! LOL I’m gonna go with Harlow. My boys are big superhero fans, so that would be so fun to win!
I am guessing you swapped out Harlow’s face? And my daughter who is about to be four is in love with Sofia the First, so I guess I’d have to pick that as a theme.
a) Whose face did I swap out in the requisite family photo above? I think you swapped out your face! I am always trying to get my girls to look and smile I end up making a goofy face! LOL b) What theme would you want your “Party in a Box”? Lil Man 1st birthday party box is perfect because as you could see from my pinterest, I have planned my sons first birthday months in advance, and went with this theme! 🙂
1. a) I’m guessing that you photoshopped your lovely face (needlessly!)
b) My daughter is turning 1 in January and I’d love to win a “winter one-derland” themed party in a box!
2. Pinned (madelmade)
I’m going with Harlow, seeing as she’s squeaky clean despite having licked frosting from her fingers. 😉
If I had a party in a box, I’d love to have a candy bar party, in bright girly colors! 🙂
I pinned too! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/39125090486854591/
Hey every bit helps out in our house of 7! 🙂
Harlows face is photo shopped and Dr Seuss for the party in a box for a meet the new baby party!
A) I’m guessing you 🙂
B) Thomas the Train
And, I have followed you and re pinned 🙂
Also, as an added bonus, I am Canadian (maybe this will tip the scales)
Who’s face is swapped? Mike
Theme of the party for my 1 year old? Matryoshka dolls
Mazzy’s face. Adorable party. And I know it’s been done to death BUT, vintage circus theme 🙂 I have 2 boys and I’m due with our first girl, Dillenger Rose, on February 14th. Which happens to be 2 days before my sons birthday. Circus could be a boy and girl party theme.
I think yours is the photoshopped face! My kiddo’s 1st birthday is coming up 🙂 I want to do a underwater themed party, and maybe have it at our local aquarium! Nah, I’m sure I’m too lazy to decorate that much space. I’ll probably end up playing a bubbles track from the stereo in my apartment
I am going to guess Mike’s face was swapped out. And pancakes and PJs is soooo up my alley. I pinned this post, as well. Happy First Birthday, Harlow!
I’m guessing Mazzy for reasons I won’t reveal.
Robot theme party!
Adorable party!
My guess is it is your face…
I would love to do a dinosaur themed party for my boy!
I think you swapped Harlow’s face. And I would love to have Noah’s Ark themed 1st birthday party for my son.
Repinned. Bam.
Oh and I pinned too! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/282249101620443548/
Gorgeous party, beautiful family!
I would guess Mazzy, since I have an almost-4-year-old too and I know how hard it can be to get them to stand still for a picture.
Anna’s 4th birthday is at the end of the month. We’ll be visiting family in Arizona, so maybe a party box with a western theme would help distract her from the fact that she’s not really getting a party this year…
I think you swapped Harlows face and my little girl would love a pony party for her 3rd birthday!
This is the cutest party ever! I love it so much!
I think Harlow was swapped.
My daughter would love a sea creature theme party box.
A) your face?
B) my soon to be four year old would like a Beetle (bug) themed party!
A. Harlow (my guess is to get rid of an evil baby glare)
B. Anything pink. My daughter, like Mazzy, loves anything pink. The more pink the better.
I’d say your face, looks like it’s too close to Harlows hat!
Princess! I have three of them, and my oldest turns five in February, she’d love it!
Love the blog, and the party & photos were amazing! Plus I’m Canadian…i should win! 😉
I think your face was swapped… Maybe? The birthday hat looks like it should be in front of your face, not behind it…? I’m grasping at straws here, people.
For a 1st birthday theme for my little Rosalie, I would like to do Springtime in Paris (with a peach, pink, gold, ivory color scheme). I plan on baking a bunch of delicious French pastries for the guests to snack on and having the French language everywhere (I was born in Canada, and French was my first language!)
Also, I pinned the image! 🙂
What a flippin’ fantastic idea for a party!! I love the idea of a morning party – so all the guests can get on with their day afterwards. We usually do Friday night parties so our guests can have their whole weekends 😉
a) Whose face did I swap out in the requisite family photo above?
– I gotta guess Mike
b) What theme would you want your “Party in a Box”?
– Designer’s Choice: Trains for a soon-to-be 7 year old boy or Woodland Fairy for a soon-to-be 5 year old girl.
a) Harlow!
b) Mickey Mouse theme
1) Mike
2) Tractors for a girl
I follow on Facebook! I think you photoshopped yourself in the picture! And I would love a pink/gold princess party box!
I would say Harlow’s face because no toddler ever looks directly atthe camera along with every other member of her family for a perfect group shot – just doesn’t happen!
Also, if I could have a party in a box theme it would have to be doggie for my buddy’s upcoming first birthday. Would love to see what Seri would come up with since I don’t have a creative bone in my body and would probably just end up letting the kid eat out a dog bowl as my contribution to the theme!
I think Harlows. I’d like an owl themed, neutral color, girls second birthday in May.
Brilliant idea of the early pj party!! Very enticed by the munchkin bagels…must be a NYC thing. My bro-in-law lives in Manhattan but he was just here…maybe next visit.
Ok- I think you photoshopped Harlow’s face.
If I could have party in a box, I would want a dress-up theme for my daughter who will be 2 in April. She is in love with hats and necklaces and shoes!
Definitely hubby’s face – looks like you took it out of the shot with the Larry planner at the top. I would live this! My kid’s first birthday is soon. If I won, I would love a box based on Pottery Barn ‘ s Vienna Elephants – pink, green, blue,yellow, and pachyderms.
I follow on Pinterest & I pinned the giveaway! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/52987733089717870/
I think Mike’s face was photo shopped and my kids would LOVE a Pirate theme party!
Proudly reprinted the graphic onto my board. It is now the single prettiest pin on my “kiddie activities” board.
Hahaha! My phone turned party into larry…wow
A.) Harlow!!! Such a cutie
B.) A superhero themed party for a two year old boy
I am now salivating at the thought of CRONUTS!!!!
Harlow’s face!
A super hero party pack would be awesome for my daughter’s third birthday!
I also am stumped as to who it was! Harlow is so famous for her glares, but the fact that you asked makes me second guess it!
For our party, I would probably choose either Duplo/Lego or Batman… I have a fickle almost three year old. 🙂
A) your husbands face
B) an “Allison in One-derland” party
C) repinned on Pintrest!
I think a PJ and breakfast party is a great idea. and my son and I are with your husband on switching out pants immediately when we get home. happens every day!
a)It looks like your husband’s face was photo-shopped/ switched!
b) My 2nd son’s first birthday will be July 3 next year, so I have no idea, I guess the obvious choice would be a fire-cracker first birthday! then again, my other son will be 6 next May and requested an “around the world” birthday party, and I have no idea what that would entail!
I’m with Sam. Amazing! I wish this was only posted a week earlier so I could have had a pajama/breakfast party for my son’s birthday, who is one week younger than Harlow. We had a small event, too. Smaller than yours, tho. Anyhoo, here’s my try:
1) I think it was Mazzy’s, because the light is a little different on hers than the rest of the family’s.
2) A Train party would go over well for either of my son’s, should I be so lucky.
Great ideas even if I don’t get picked!
I think it was your face that was swapped. I would love a pajama party for my son’s 1st birthday in February! I’m so tired of the standard cars/animals/Disney themed parties that my other boys keep picking, and, since he’s kid #3, I would love to be mellow and just wear pajamas to a party!
Lovely party! Clearly you should be feeling pretty good about your photoshop skills.
1) Four-way tie for me, but if I had to pick I would say Mazzy.
2) My daughter turns 4 at the end of January and we are waffling on the theme between cars, trains, and construction equipment. She is equally obsessed with all three. I need to get busy pinning! Or win that party box! 🙂
Mikes face……and a giraffe party for a three yr old girl :):) im going on pinterst now, be back soon 🙂
a) harlow
b) some kind of animal theme (monkeys and penguins are a big hit around here) as a joint party for a little girl turning three and her younger brother turning one.
I think you swapped Mike’s face – his neck looks a bit weird (sorry if you have a weird neck, Mike!). My Lil’s 2nd birthday isn’t until September but I’d love to do a vintage circus theme (with animal crackers!).
Everything looks so great here, and I love all the pajama pictures the most. There’s nothing better than comfy pants. I still wear maternity pants to work – no need for another layer of spanx!
I think you Photoshopped your own face haha. My step daughter looovvveeessss Despicable Me. Ill go with that theme 😉
I love it! My daughter turns 1 tomorrow (OMG I can’t believe she is ONE!!!!!) and I am planning a pancake breakfast but it will not be anywhere near as put together as yours! But there will be lots of whipped cream on the pancakes!!
Happy Birthday to Harlow!
this is AMAZING and yes, i want Little Miss Party planner as a friend.
Mike’s face is photoshopped
Suggested Theme for Spencer’s 1st Birthday on Dec 29 – CHEW ON THIS (babies chew on everything while parents have fun chatting and chewing over pop-culture trivia)
Pinned it!
What a great idea for a baby’s party!!
A) Mike’s face
B) I’d have a polka dot party. I’m actually planning my 2nd baby’s 1st birthday as we speak. It’s January 4th!
Pinned it!
A) Harlow face! Her party hat near your face seems shopped in.
B) I would love a pink and gold theme party in a box for my baby girl’s 1st birthday.
C) I repinned the party image onto my birthday ideas Pinterest board
Loved this party so much! You have such a beautiful family!
I’m thinking it’s Harlow’s face. I hope to throw a fun family Valentine’s Day party this year so that’s what I’d want my box to be! 🙂
A. Harlow
B. Anything outer-spacey, or mechanic-ey for my gonna be 2 year old boy 🙂
I think it’s Mike’s face that was photoshopped. I would have to choose a Thor themed party for my little boys!
Love the party! I say, why not go overboard, especially if someone else is doing all the planning?
a) Harlow
b) My youngest is turning 1 in March – I’m thinking a cute bunny/chick party since Easter will be right around the corner
c) pinned it!
I’m guessing you swapped Harlows face, and I would LOVE a robot themed party in a box for my son’s 4th birthday party coming up in January! 🙂
Repinning now 🙂
This is a perfect party theme!
a) Harlow
b) My daughter turns 1 in May, I’d love a May Flowers (and butterflies) theme box!
Re-pinned on Pinterest too!
Breakfast themed is an excellent idea!! Happy Birthday Harlow. 🙂
a) I think Harlow’s face was swapped – although I’d never be able to tell. Too much evil baby glare?
b) my son’s first birthday is coming up, and he loves TRAINS.
c) I’m from Canada! And I always appreciate when we’re not left out of things!
I think it is your face that is photoshopped and I am totally stealing your theme for my daughter’s 1st birthday, so I would love that party in a box!
Thanks!!
Oh, I also pinned on to Emily’s 1st birthday board!
love it! and I must be a crazy new yorker at heart because I go all out with my boys’ parties! 🙂
1. I think Harlow’s face was swapped.
2. I would love a party box on a winter wonderland for a boy that isn’t christmasy since it will be held in January! 🙂
Super Cute Party!!
My guess would be Mazzy’s face.
My little girl turns one January 23rd. So I would love to do a Winter Wonderland Party!
I have a feeling Mike’s face has been swapped!
For my daughter’s first birthday, I would love to have an “under the sea” theme since most of her fave toys revolve around that 🙂
also, just pinned the pic above!
1. I think you swapped out Mazzy’s face
2. For party in a box I would want a boy/girl combination for my twins – maybe dogs/cats or fire trucks and bunnies.
I also pinned it on Pinterest!!
Repinned board!
Harlow was swapped.
We are combining my daughters 2nd bday and sons 1st in June for when daddy gets home from deployment. Theme:
chugga chugga choo choo
Pretty pretty tutu
Caleb’s turning one!
Ellie’s turning 2!
That’s as far as I’ve gotten. Helllpppp!
a) your face
b) construction vehicles (for a 2 year old…next October)
Your face? I’m thinking most likely one of the girls, or possibly your husband….I haven’t a clue. Raquel did an amazing job.
My 6 year old’s wants a Taco Birthday Party, so having that nifty kit would be so helpful.
Pinned on Pinterest!
Love the pajama party. I was thinking of doing the same for my daughters fifth birthday. I am going to guess sweet little Harlow may have been switched and I really want to throw a polar bear party for my son’s first birthday on December 18.
what an amazing party! I
A) Harlow!!
B) a rockstar party for my favorite almost 10 (gulp!) year old rocker 🙂
1. Mike’s face
2. Walking on Sunshine theme! For a winter birthday!
Such great photos! 1.) I’m going with Mike’s face in the family photo and 2.) my daughter will be two in a couple months and we are planning a pirate themed party!
1 – I’m guessing Harlow’s face was swapped out
2 – my son is turning 3 in January and would love a fireman/firetruck or pirate themed party!
pinned!
My guess is Harlow’s face was swapped out, but it was a tough call, cuz all 4 of you look amazing…so I commend you for your photoshopping abilities 😉
My oldest turns the BIG 5 in July, & he’d LOVE a superhero themed party to celebrate!!!
I think it’s harlows face! My son will be 3 in feb and LOVES Mickey Mouse and more recently super heros thanks to a Mickey Mouse episode!!
a) Harlow?
b) Dr. Suess!
1)Mazzy’s face
2) a Thomas the Train theme for my son’s 2nd birthday!
I think it is Mike. And I think the great outdoors party in a box theme would be the thing.
Swapped out your face.
I’d love the same idea for our little girls 1st party… Pancakes and PJ’s!
AND… My husband is from Canada ( now we live in Atlanta) and he would LOVE to win!!!
Going with Harlow’s and the theme I would would want for my girls is “Princess!”
What a neat party you had, very unique but fun!
1. Already a FB fan.
1a. I’m guessing your face was Photoshopped – but it’s really hard to tell. That’s mighty fine Photoshop’ing.
1b. I’d choose a Winnie the Pooh or jelly bean theme party for my daughter who turns 2 in January! Pooh is her favorite; and her nickname is (jelly) Bean!
2. Done and done!
P.S. The party looks wonderful – and your family is beautiful.
a) Harlow’s face
b) I would do a princess party for my daughter’s 4th birthday
2) repinned!
I think Harlow is shopped, but it looks seamless!
I would love to throw my daughter a book themed 2nd birthday party. Or penguins. Oh my god. I could dress her up and have her waddle.
Harlow’s face! I would love a snowman themed party for my little guy’s winter birthday! Yay for Canadian giveaways!
What a fun party! My daughter is turning 1 on January 7th and I wasn’t even sure I wanted a party.. . Now I do. 🙂
A) I think it might be your face that got shopped in, although it’s really a shot in the dark. You guys all look great!
B) I have no clue what theme we’d want. Is elephant a theme? They’re all over her nursery. We love them!
Thanks again for the giveaway and happy birthday, Harlow!
What an adorable family you have!! Happy Harlow Month!!
A) Your Face, I think it’s from the picture of you and the “rarely photographed Dr. B”
B) Ballerina! My daughter is in her 4th year of dance classes, she’ll be 7 in April – however, she’s obsessed with Jessie & Teen Beach Movie from the Disney Channel, so either of those would make her day!
Thank you for the chance Ilana!
I think Mike is photoshopped.
I would like a Peek-a-boo theme for a one year old birthday boy next Spring.
My baby loves books, especially lift the flap kind of books, such as “Where is Baby’s Bellybutton?”
and “Where is Spot?”. I have no idea how that could be a party theme but maybe!
I think Mazzy’s face was swapped.
My son would love a truck-themed party in May.
A) Hubby’s Face Photo Shopped
B) My little one is really into the Scooby Doo’s from the late 60’s and 70’s so that would be a fun theme.
a. Harlow
b. Theme: Daniel Tiger for my soon-to-be 3-year-old or The Very Hungry Catepillar for my soon-to-be 1-year-old or wine, cheese, and chocolates for mama and friends 🙂
Pinned it!