parks’ first birthday | a bear themed winter woodland

it has been a little over three months since parks’ first birthday party (i have been wanting to share for so long) but here it is! his birthday, january 15, was on a sunday and we had a few close friends + family here to celebrate. ever since he rocked a fuzzy bear hat from the gap (when he was a newborn, our sweet winter baby) we have referred to him as our ‘boo bear.’ when i started to plan this gathering last fall, i decided to go with a bear | woodland theme. we served my mom’s chili, mexican cornbread, veggies, and chips and salsa, along with fun cocktails – to celebrate one year of parenthood. it was a cozy winter day; some of my very favorite days of the year.

here are some details + snapshots:

target had gold and silver painted greenery the day before… i decided to pick up some of the gold!

the lighting wasn’t the best that day for photos… and i played photographer/iphone + mom + hostess. 

i hope you are inspired in some way though… and here if you have any questions. 

parks was sadly diagnosed (through x-ray) with pneumonia just two days before his birthday 

but i think he still enjoyed his special day 

luckily, he was not contagious so kids could still come and enjoy

he -almost- made it one year without any illnesses!! 

we are thankful for that and are so glad that he recovered so well 

the sprinkled ‘p and one’ donuts were from suarez bakery 

(they make the most beautiful baked goods) 

my dress | anthropologie 

necklace | twine and twig 

this is usually our tv stand, an antique buffet from sleepy poet … transformed into a dessert bar

i decided to just do two decor tables, one for the desserts and one for the sundae bar 

originally, we wanted to do the party at a local brewery (so all of our loved ones could come and celebrate!) but the prices were out of this world. so instead, we cozied up with mostly family and really loved having it in our home. 

birthday bear | half pint fauna

it meant so much to have my parents here. they were so helpful and have done so much for us! 

how cute is she? i picked up these bear mugs at target for hot chocolate 

plus, her airplane leggings are from my shop 

she has the sweetest soul 

instead of favors, i created an ice cream sundae bar … 

full of candy, poppers, party hats, and toy animals!!

there was also our favorite book, the wonderful things you will be, which people signed with a birthday note for parks. 

there were metallic animals (from etsy) throughout the dessert bar

my best friend, anna’s son … he was ready for cake! (and a posed beer) 

we are best friends for many reasons. 

my sister wasn’t able to make it… so having this very special friend there meant the world to me. 

the letter board | letterfolk co 

“when the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn’

– on the night you were born by nancy tillman- 

i loved this adorable little black bear

the illustrations are so beautiful in the book, the wonderful things you will be by emily winfield martin. along with the message… this book is my favorite. 

his party hat | prop shop boutique

cake topper | perry hill rustics

sundae bar | all of the paper products, banner, and hats are from target

giraffe | oh joy! 

i picked up these animals at target for the kids to take home 

personalized woodland cake topper | wonderful collective

my sweet godson, william. i love him so much. 

‘be brave – be kind’ 

tim’s aunt arlie (she is so amazing) was in town from boston 

so glad she was able to celebrate with us 

my sweet sister-in-law, tricia! i wish we lived closer but can’t wait to head up to visit next week 

kisses from great gram

a naked carrot cake + straws + fake pine trees + on the night you were born + blue crocheted hearts + polka dot napkins + lots of gold & wood 

parks with his grandparents… he is such a lucky boy and is so loved

i was able to get the snow tipped evergreen trees for 75% off at anthropologie 

no matter how old you get, you will always be my baby 

happy birthday, parks 

for his invites, i made wallet sized photos of the print of parks in the bear outfit when he was a newborn and paper clipped them (with gold metallic paperclips) to the invites… 

which said ‘our little bear cub parks is turning 1’ 

invites | great lakes creative

(she was wonderful to work with and i loved how you can get different edges!) 

these two sisters are just adorable

he loves his papa 

playing before the party… as i sat in his glider and reflected on the past year

(this is a post on its own)

but all of the joys, the challenges, the way my heart now bursts with love every moment of each day

as my eyes filled up with tears… over and over. all day long

happy birthday, my little love

wishing you many, many more

it was a wonderful time, celebrating the first year of you

the year my life changed 

for the better.

xo