Baby Summer turned one! The second time around, this first year FLEW by. Shockingly fast. We definitely wanted to throw Summer a first birthday party as we had for Gemma, but I knew that I’d like to keep it simple and sweet. I chose a hot air balloon theme to commemorate Summer. She is so carefree, easygoing, sweet and easily adored, even referred to as “Baby Happy” by many of Gemma’s friends. I just wanted something that reminded me of happy, smiles and sunshine, so I decided on a red, blue and yellow theme that always reminds me of summertime.

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The cake was made by a friend! She used fondant to make a yellow background, red hot air balloons and white clouds. The cake was vanilla with a blackberry filling and Summer LOVED it! Her first experience with sweets and she was skeptical at first, but really enjoyed her smash cupcakes.

We didn’t know what to get Summer and decided on the yellow Rody which she is enjoying bouncing on! I also made red gift baskets for Gemma and her cousins that had bubbles, water balls, beach balls, crayons, leis, batons and Curious George books.

All smiles at both parties!

Gemma and I paper mached balloons and added fishing line to attach strawberry baskets and make hanging hot air balloons. We worked on this project in the evenings for a few weeks while Summer was asleep. I LOVE the way they turned out!

I made lots of red and yellow tissue paper poms to hang from trees outside. I used a simple blue table cloth with red and white plates and yellow napkins all found at the dollar store. I think the contrast turned out really bold and cute. We only had about ten guests at each party so I just bought two of everything we needed for the setup.

This was Summer’s favorite gift all weekend — the gift bag. She carried it around for a few days and filled it with the smaller items she received. In all, the parties were just what we needed a relaxing celebration with family! Good food, lots of water play and some long naps!