Milk + Cookies {Paige's 1st Birthday Party}

Below are the photos that my super-talented, friend Beth took at Paige's birthday party on December 18th {at 10 o'clock in the morning}. I'm so pleased with how all of the details turned out {everything down to these oh-so-special photos}. I first mentioned this party idea {and my inspiration source} in this blog post.

First, I purchased the invitations and party package on Etsy from Chocolate Sundae. I couldn't have been happier with Amy's personal service and how coordinated all of the printed pieces went together. She was also fast and just made the whole process painless.



Paige, our guest of honor, wore a pink and green ruffle outfit by Mud Pie and a milk + cookies apron made by her Nana Yenna.



Many special guests joined us to help celebrate!



This is the food table {notice the adorable banner that came with the invitations in the middle of the table}.



The tissue pom poms {above the table} can be purchased from party suppliers, but you can also make them yourself for a fraction of the cost by using Martha's instructions. My mom kindly made these for the party. I can't say if they were easy or hard {although I would venture that once you get the hang of it, it is fairly easy}. They really added a festive touch. I took the pink ones down after the party and left the white ones for Christmas because they reminded me of snowflakes falling from the sky.




The pom poms were probably easier than making the 30 dozen cookies of all different varieties, though. I would recommend for someone wanting to recreate this party, to use tissue paper or stuffing in the bottom of the jars {which were lined about half way up with scrapbooking paper anyways} to avoid having so many leftovers. Luckily, since it was close to Christmas, I was able to dole out the majority of remaining cookies to friends, neighbors and coworkers as holiday cheer after the party. We {yes, I had several helpers} made chocolate white chocolate chip cookies {an Ina Garten i.e. Barefoot Contessa recipe}.



Sugar cookies with sprinkles {Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix}. The cookie jars were purchased in various sizes from Wal-Mart and Target.



Oatmeal Raisin {a Southern Living recipe} cookies.



Chocolate Chip {Nestle Toll House refrigerated in a tub} cookies.



And Peanut Butter Blossom cookies {my own recipe adapted from a Peanut Butter Kiss recipe}. I made the tags by cutting the bottles out of cardstock and using some of the cupcake picks that came in the party kit to make the jar labels. I tied them on with butchers twine.



I pre-made the cookie dough {the ones that were made from recipes and box mixes} and refrigerated days before the party {although this could be done a month or so prior and frozen}. The day before I began baking {and enlisted my dad to bake the tub cookies}. We also had a few non-cookie treats {to counteract the sugar rush}, like mini-quiches {from the Costco freezer} and sliced apples and baked brie.



I {actually Aunt Katie} wrapped clear plastic utensils in pink polka dot napkins and tied them with butchers twine and put them in a white galvanized bucket.



I served POM pomegranate juice and Prosecco {similar to champagne} beverages for the adults.



And pink lemonade {and water} as a non-alcoholic beverage options.



For the kids, milk of course! Horizon brand vanilla and chocolate milk boxes.



This adorable frame was purchased at the recent JLT Jingle Jubilee shopping event and featured our cookie eating guest of honor.



Paige's special cake smashing {one year} onesie {purchased not long after she was born at Target}. And the one-year princess crown from Mud Pie.




The cake was store bought from a local bakery {that makes the best tasting cakes ever}, The Cake Shop. I had them decorate it with chocolate fudge and brown buttercream icing and the birthday wish.




Then I added my special touch of milk bottles and cookies to fit with the theme. I cut the milk bottle shapes {just found a milk bottle template online} out of Duff brand buttercream fondant. I attached them with a dollop of Duff white icing alternating them with Famous Amos brand mini-chocolate chip cookies.



When you purchase a cake from the Cake Shop for a first birthday, they throw in the smash cake for free. I just made sure they decorated it to match the large cake.




I tied the printed tags for favors {again from the party kit} on to old Starbucks Frappucino bottles {rinsed, labels removed, hand washed and then run through the wash and antibacterial cycle in the dishwasher}. I put one percent {get it for one-year old} organic milk in the bottles. I sent each guest home with a pink to-go bag filled with cookies and a bottle of ice cold milk.




We also had each guest bring a book to donate to charity in lieu of gifts {one of the problems with having a {second} child with a birthday in December is the massive amounts of toys that you accumulate in one fail swoop}. This year we decided Paige wouldn't notice a lack of gifts and that we would do something that would help other children. We amassed quite a book donation! My original inspiration for the party was from this idea, which is also why I decided to tie it back to the book donations. What a better way to celebrate than to give something back to others.



Here is a slideshow of the friends and family that joined us for the cake-smashing fun. The background music in the show is a song that was written, composed and performed {she sang and played the piano} by Paige's Aunt Kim {Ben's youngest sister}. She is only 16-years-old and I think she has quite a talent! The song, Wildflower, was written for and about Paige. What a touching tribute and special birthday gift for a special girl. Thanks, Aunt Kim {hope you don't mind me putting it out for all of the world to hear}!!!!

This free slideshow design generated with Smilebox

This party seemed simple enough, but really took quite a bit of work to prepare. It was worth every moment, though, to celebrate such a momentous day for our sweet little Paigey!

Paige Katherine, you are so blessed to be loved by so many people. We love you baby girl...you hold a special place in your Mommy and Daddy's heart!