Mary Blake's 1st Birthday

I know I am so behind on this, but I wanted to blog about Mary Blake's 1st Birthday!  

It was a big weekend with lots of celebrating! 

I bought this plate for her when she was a newborn. I thought it would be the perfect plate for her to eat her 1st piece of cake.  

 On Friday night we had a family celebration with all the grandparents and Jason (Gary's brother) + myself.  We had dinner together and then enjoyed watching MB eat her first cupcake.  

 she had no idea what to do with it. She ripped it apart a little, took a few bites, and then was done with it! 

 I think she liked having all the attention on her.

 After dinner and cake she got to open her presents.

 I got her a baby doll, stroller, and a monogrammed piggybank (so she can save money to come see her aunt B in the big apple:-))  her Uncle J got her a really cool motorcylce to ride and push.  Her GiGi and Mack Daddy got her this fun car to ride in that you can also push her in, a pearl for her pearl necklace, and some books.  Her mimi and paw paw got her a dvd player for the car, some new movies, and a really cool slideshow of her first year of life.  All in all I think she racked up for a 1 year old! 

Obviously she was excited too...

On Saturday was the big party with all of G and Cat's friends.  

It started out a little rough since the weather in Birmingham was cold and windy that day. The party was supposed to be at the park, but last minute we had to move it to G and Cat's house.  It still turned out great and was fun for everyone! 

 My mom and sis worked hard on all the decorations to make a very colorful polka dotted themed party!  Thankfully almost everything can be saved and used in the future. If I ever have kids I plan to make use of this and plan a polka dotted party!:-)

 One of Cat's best friends owns the cutest online stationary store, called the Polka Dot Princess. She made these cute cupcake toppers (pictured below), all the food signs (pictured above), the goody bag stickers, and several other party items!  If you need Christmas Cards, stationary, or party decorations you should definitely visit her site.  She has great items that are all really cute! 

 As her party favor, MB gave all her friends M&M goody bags.  

 All the grandparents and Uncle Jason with the birthday girl

 I made this banner as well as a Happy Birthday banner to match the decor of the party

 Mary Blake's bff Ellie

The cool thing about this party is that it really was a celebration of the gift that Mary Blake is.  Catherine and Gary invited many of their close friends who were so much a part of their adoption story. The ones who prayed for them, mourned with them and rejoiced with them!  Gary gave a little speech at the beginning and then we ate bbq and cupcakes and celebrated the day! 

 Everyone signed Dr. Seuss's "Oh the Places you'll Go" for Mary Blake.  It will be a neat keepsake for her to have to remember the people who celebrated this very special day with her!  This happens to be one of my all time favorite books!  I am excited to see all the places this journey of life will take Mary Blake!

It was a great weekend of celebrating Mary Blake.  It seems like just yesterday that this little girl came home! I look forward to all the many celebrations we will prayerfully have with her in the future!