Oh What Fun -- Riley Turned ONE!

Our Party Girl!
See her special shirt?
I've used  Frances' designs (Things Very Special) a few times now for gifts or shirts for the kids. 

We celebrated Riley's first birthday last weekend with a musical theme because she loves music! Riley joined a music class at seven months old and really started to appreciate dancing, singing, and playing instruments so it made sense to choose this as a theme. 

Riley's smash cake -- too pretty to smash but she did!

Riley enjoyed every minute of her party and especially her delicious cake made by Auntie Angela (North County Cupcakes). I had asked her to make a smash cake that replicated a toy xylophone and she impressed us all! Darling! The rainbow cupcakes she made were yummy as well as adorable! We had a taco cart for guests so everyone left full of Musical Mexican goodness...and we had leftovers for days. Ha! Riley's favorite gift was from Gram and Grandpa--a pink wagon for her dolls. She likes riding in it so I had Jackson pull her in it to her cake. She also LOVED all the clothes she received. We opened gifts over the next three days and she kept walking around with her new clothes. My girly girl! 

I loved working with Shelle at Celebrate the Little Things--
her designs added the perfect touch to the party!

Party favors included personalized microphones, Riley's favorite songs on a CD, musical instruments, stickers, and music note crayons from Red Elm Designs.

The Musical Menu

I had guests sign a scrapbook page that I added to her first year scrapbook
which was pre-made for  us by my dear friend Marilyn.

The Kazoo wreath -- thanks Pinterest! 

The birthday girl checking out the decor before guests arrived with her sidekick, Abby.

Pretzel Drumsticks

Musical Fruit Batons

Braden was so sweet to share snacks with the Birthday Girl!

Two chicken tacos down...

Auntie Autumn and Uncle Marco

Pinata drum...only a few kids were actually big enough to enjoy
since we kept the guests to babies only for the most part. 
But it was cute and matched the theme! 

Auntie Angela holds the birthday girl. 

Charlie is an expert at pinata ribbons!

Jackson pulling Riley to her smash cake!

Jackson showing Ri how to blow. Love that face!

Playing on my cake before the taste!

Kendall wears a party hat!

My baby is ONE! She liked her cake!

Baby Ryan parties it up!

Brayden turned one a few days later!

It's my party day!

Conner looking so cute as always. I want his Mommy's shoes.  They drove down from the OC!

1 year, 8 1/2 months, 8 months...Grad School Besties' Babies.

Cousins from Ventura County: Zoey and Ella (7 months) snuggle Riley! They spent the night before with us--their first trip away from home with Mommy and Daddy!

Auntie Kelly looking so pretty with silly Riley (after eating her cake).

Thank you, Katie, for the great pictures below!!

Monthly Sticker Pictures

We spent three nights opening gifts.  Spoiled.

Hey, Hana--you turn 1 next!

Blow! Blow! Blow! What? You would rather stare at Mama's goofy face?

Jackson ended up blowing her candle out although we had been practicing blowing,
 there was just too much pressure. Ha!

...and now that Riley is one, we can only expect lots more fun as we enter the world of Toddlerhood! Looking forward to another super fast year with my two February babies. xoxo


Jackson and Riley's shared birthday gift--hours of FUN!

Riley is ONE

A year ago today we were in the labor and delivery room anxiously waiting for Riley to make his or her debut. My water broke at 5 a.m. and at 4:49 p.m. we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Riley Grace, into the world -- 8 pounds and 13 ounces!! She cried as she lay her bare skin to my chest and I couldn't believe my instinct was correct and we would be buying pink...and lots of it!

Riley you have been such a blessing and perfect addition to our family. Jackson calls you his best friend and you treat him like your personal hero. When you both are laughing it is the happiest sound and I could listen to it all day. The only time you cry is when you are past 3 hours from milk or if I use my "stern voice" to tell you "no" -- or like today I said "hot!" so you wouldn't touch your birthday candle and you burst into tears. You already throw some tantrums and try hitting your head on things when you are upset and don't get your way so I scoop you up when I see that coming.

Overall you are sweet, loving, and so beautiful. You give us hugs all the time. Your dolls and animals receive tons of love from you. Your new favorite toy is your doll wagon from Gram and Grandpa--you prefer to sit in it. You love shoes and take them out of their cubby and then put them "back, back" five times a day. I could go on and on...we love you so much and are eager to see how you develop as a toddler. I hope it doesn't fly by like this year did...sigh.

Love,
Mama