Birthday Party!

 We had the girls' birthday party on Saturday in between the March for Babies and the hospital's NICU Reunion--so it was a little hectic, but lots of fun. We had perfect weather which was fabulous because I planned for a BBQ and a park. I have been planning their birthday for months and all the things I wanted to do for it. And I felt like I was planning a party for 50 when in reality we had far fewer numbers. That's okay though, because it was all about the girls and even though we had some tears shed it was a good first birthday! 

This past year has been a whirlwind with lots of emotions and I constantly think of those 7 weeks we spent in the hospital. The week leading up to their birthday just brought back all of those emotions and I'm so grateful that a year later the girls are happy, healthy, and right on track developmentally. I knew I would love my children, but you can never imagine the amount of love and joy they bring until they are here. It has truly been the best year of my life. 

On to the party...

I went with a rainbow theme (not realizing it is quite popular!). I wanted something that they more than likely wouldn't choose later in life--I thought about different book themes or the usual princess theme, but just loved the bright, colorful rainbow theme. Anyways, needless to say, I got tons of ideas online.

 My *favorite* part was the balloon banner. It was easy and awesome. We had to hang it up on this wall that had peeling paint, which by the end popped a lot of the balloons--but it looked pretty at the beginning! And I think a balloon banner will be a staple in my birthday party planning from now on.

Balloon Bouquet (that is still in our apartment today and the girls love it!)

 Tablecloth: I bought the colors of the rainbow in the cheap $1 plastic tablecloths, cut them into strips and sewed them together to make a rainbow tablecloth.

Cakes: Huge individual rainbow cupcakes for the smash cakes and a rainbow layer cake for everyone else

Cake stands: I made some cake stands and spray painted them yellow for the girls' cakes

 So we had the party at a park that is just two blocks from our apartment and we thought the easiest way to get the balloons down to the park would be to just carry them instead of stuffing them in a car. My dad and brother were the lucky ones to walk it down--it was hilarious, sort of looked like their own gay pride parade with the rainbow banner.

 Kendal in her party dress and pink tiara headband

 Leigh was wonderful enough to grill a bunch of hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone--and here he is finally getting to eat

 Lyla in her party dress and tiara

 So I was terrible at getting pictures of the people that came--but thank you to everyone that came! 

 Present time! The girls were spoiled with presents. I totally thought they would be more in to opening presents, but they really just wanted the paper from one present then they were done. 

 

Uncle Austin got the girls these super cute bibs--one says "I'm acute baby" and the other says "These fools put my cape on backwards". My brother was a math major, hence the acute angle bib. 

 They got tons of fun new toys!

 And their own little chairs! They are so cute and comfy!

Cake time! Kendal was super tired, so eating cake was not something she wanted to do. She just cried and cried. But, Lyla LOVED it.

 Jess and Aurelia!

 Sad, tired birthday girl! Naptime didn't go very well that day--we had to try and get them to take naps in between events, and it just didn't work out.

Messy, messy girl! 

Happy First Birthday Kendal and Lyla!