Mazzy’s birthday may be this Monday, but that will have to wait, because we are not finished talking about her little sister’s birthday yet. Yes, it was two weeks ago, but sometimes my blog doesn’t move at the speed of life.
Is everyone ready for the breakfast extravaganza that was Harlow’s first birthday? Because there were CRONUTS involved, so this is SERIOUS.
Okay. Now, before everyone starts saying things like, “I would never make that much fuss over a one-year-old’s birthday!”, please remember one of my best friends is Seri Kertzner from Little Miss Party and this has been her gift to me for two years running (see Mazzy’s third birthday extravaganza last year).
Seri loves the opportunity to create a party for my kids and I just go along for the ride. I don’t think it’s lost on her that she gets some Mommy Shorts promotion out of the deal. (Use Little Miss Party for your parties! She’s FANTASTIC!!!!)
A few weeks prior to the big day, Seri and I had lunch.
“What do you want to do for Harlow’s first birthday?” Seri asked.
“I don’t know. I think the important thing to ask is— what do YOU want to do for Harlow’s first birthday?”
“Where do you want to have it?”
I told her I wanted to do something small in my apartment. Something on the early side. With as little people as possible. I was thinking about serving pancakes. “They’re easy, inexpensive and everybody loves pancakes.”
“OH MY GOD!!!! A PANCAKE PARTY WITH BABIES ALL WEARING PAJAMAS!!!!!”
This is how Seri talks. She’s very excitable.
“Sure. A pancake and pajama party. Let’s do it.”
Then Seri followed up with some VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
“What color do you want the cake?”
“Pink.”
“Do you want alcohol at this party?”
“Yes.”
“How about peach bellinis?”
“Great.”
“Do you have a mini muffin tin so we can bake little frittatas?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to serve coffee?”
“Definitely.”
“What do you think about having an activity table set up in Mazzy’s room for the preschoolers?”
“Perfect.”
“What four sugar cereals would you like for the cereal bar?”
“HOLD UP. This needs some serious consideration.”
“I’ll wait.”
“Ummmmmm………………………………………………………… Okay, I got it! Fruit Loops, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs!”
“Excellent choices. What do you think about Bantam Bagels?”
“What’s a Bantam Bagel?”
“It’s the bagel version of a munchkin, with cream cheese or butter filling.”
“Love it.”
“What’s your favorite cupcake from Butter Lane?”
“Salted caramel with the popcorn on top. Obviously.”
Then I asked Seri a very important question of my own.
“CAN WE HAVE CRONUTS??????!!!!!!!”
If you don’t know about Cronuts, they are all the rage in NYC. People arrive at the SOHO bakery where they are made at 4am to make sure they get one of the few available that day. People sell them on the black market. I’m not even joking. I’ve been dying to try one to see what all the hype is about for months.
Seri said she would look into it. That evening, she forwarded me the most hilarious email ever.
Yes, for only $1900 ($76 per cronut), you too can give your one-year-old and her two best friends a trendy pastry they won’t even remember by the end of the day!
This, my friends, is why people think New Yorkers are CRAZY.
I was about to resign myself to living a Cronut-free life forever, when Seri discovered they sell imitation Cronuts at a neighborhood bakery called Chickalicious Dessert Club. They are $5 a piece but Chickalicious said they would donate six to our cause.
Spreading the word of $5 Imposter Cronuts being just as delicious as the $76 original being a VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE.
Okay, now that you’ve got the planning down, let’s fast foward…
Check out the spread!
I know— RIDICULOUS. Here are the Imposter Cronuts in all their sticky flaky sugary glory.
There was one person there who claimed he had eaten a real Cronut and said the Chickalicious Cronuts were actually better. See? I just saved you $1900.
Look at our homemade frittatas! Mike made them!
And those peach bellinis you heard so much about…
Wait! WHERE ARE THE PANCAKES???? Here they are, silly…
In little stacks with sparkly gold flags on them, OBVIOUSLY.
Seri put the Ban Tam bagels on little sticks and they were a huge hit. Actually with the bagel munchkin pops and the Imposter Cronuts and the Lucky Charms and the Butter Lane salted caramel cupcakes, nobody really touched the pancakes.
Did I mention we were all wearing pajamas? It was supposed to just be the kids but then a few days prior, Mike made an important announcement.
Mike: I’M WEARING PAJAMAS TO THE PARTY.
Me: What? But, I don’t own any pajamas suitable for public viewing!
Mike: Not my problem.
A few years ago, I bought my husband a pair of pajama pants for a holiday present. He’d never worn pajama pants before and it took him a few months before he actually put them on. But soon, he was a changed man. Mike changes into his pajama bottoms almost immediately after he walks in the door every night and apparently, he’s been dreaming of displaying his “leisure attire” on his second daughter’s first birthday for quite some time.
The night after Mike’s announcement, I bought a new pair of pajamas for the party. THEN, on the day of the party, Seri showed up in a freakin onesie and handed my husband a navy one-piece of his own.
Mike could not put that thing on fast enough, he was so excited.
Truth be told, my husband looks kinda sexy in a one-piece, doesn’t he?
I’m more about the button down men’s style pajamas myself. Especially around company. Who else was there wearing pajamas, you ask?
Well, the birthday girl, of course.
Don’t make fun of her fluffy bunny slippers. The girl will CUT YOU.
Big sis was there too.
Along with some friends.
Grammy was there in animal print PJs…
Not to be confused with velvet-clad Grandma…
Poppy made an appearance…
And the rarely photographed Dr. B was there with my adorable nephew Jack, who is busy working on his evil glare for 2014.
Here is the birthday girl looking anything but evil…
And, of course THE CAKE…
The cake was from Magnolia, who is really great for last minute cakes. I’ve used them in a pinch twice now.
Then we all stuffed our faces.
When everyone wasn’t eating, the kids were playing at the activity table. Activities consisted of stringing fruit loops on lanyards and decorating party hats with stickers. Simple and no mess.
When that got boring, they climbed into Harlow’s crib…
And then climbed all over Mike…
Wondering who took these gorgeous photos? That would be Raquel Bianca, of “Monday Morning” series fame.
The actual cake smash went just about as well as Mazzy’s first birthday cake smash. Which means— not very. I wanted Harlow to go to town, but instead, she licked her finger a couple times, humored us with a smile and was done.
Requisite family shot:
Guess whose face I swapped out for a better face from another shot in the photo above?
And finally, if you’ve stuck around this long, you are in for a treat. Since so many people have said, “Gee, I wish I had a kickass party planner for a friend…”, today, Little Miss Party is giving out a customized “Party in a Box”, handcrafted and personally put together by her, with the theme of your choosing (up to $150 value) sent to anywhere in the US or Canada.
FYI- Seri is from Canada so she really wanted to make sure the Canadians weren’t left out.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
1) You must be a Mommy Shorts facebook fan to enter. Then answer the following two questions in the comment section below: a) Whose face did I swap out in the requisite family photo above? b) What theme would you want your “Party in a Box”?
2) For a second entry, follow @mommyshorts on Pinterest, find the graphic below on this board and repin it. Then leave a comment below saying you did so.
Winner will be selected from those who answered “the face” question correctly and will be announced on Friday, Dec 13th.
Good luck!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Sarah for guessing MIKE as the photoshopped face! And here’s what she had to say about her ideal birthday party theme: “As much as I’d love a pink and glittery party, much like your pancake party…I’d have to go with a gender neutral theme of “vintage circus in a box” type party!”
I hope you love your circus themed Little Miss Party in a Box! Please email me at ilana@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize!
Also Repinned it!
1. My guess will be Mike’s face, only because there is a skin color difference of his neck and that little piece of skin showing on his shoulder and chest.
2. I’m actually planning my son’s 2nd birthday (Bubble Guppies theme) so this would be an awesome prize!
By the way, I LOVE the pajama idea. So cute and out of the box. And Seri did an amazing job as always! : )
First of all, this party was just gorgeous! I wish I’d known about her when I was planning my wedding! Ha ha! (She would have done one in Cape May, NJ right? lol.)
Oh, and to answer your question, “Doesn’t Mike look sexy in a onesie?” Whatever. You know your husband is hot. lol. Of course he looks good in that. I’d get my husband one, but I’m pretty sure he’d look at me like I had lost my mind. lol. (Although my husband is hot, too, and would rock it just as much! ;-P)
To the giveaway questions:
I think Harlow’s face was swapped. It looks photoshopped to me.
What party theme would I want for my Party in a Box? Well, that is a hard one because my son is only 11 weeks old, so his b-day isn’t until next September, and I’m just not the type of person who can plan ahead that far. lol. The next birthday in our family happens to be mine, in March, but since I’m terribly shy (think The Bloggess) I don’t typically have parties for myself. She could always come up with a party box for 5 people (me, hubby, baby, hubby’s parents) and call it “The Introvert Special,” lol.
What I did think of, though, was inspired by someone up top who is from Kentucky but now lives in Texas, since I am from Texas but now live in New Jersey. Texas Independence Day is March 2nd, and it would match my sense of humor to have a Texas Independence Day party in New Jersey (even if I still only invite two people.) So, my party in a box would be Texas Independence Day. She would probably have to do some research for that one! lol. (Not like I’m expecting to win though…)
Oh, and another commenter mentioned Dr. B and reminded me that I’ve been meaning to ask for a post updating us on Dr. B’s entrance into motherhood. I’ve been curious as to how a child psychologist fared during the newborn period and whatnot and if she lost her mind like the rest of us!
Sorry for the rambling comment!
A. Birthday Girl, Harlow!
B. Sofia the First…I was pulling for an Olivia party, but the Princess-in-training won out.
I’m going to guess Harlow! Both me and my husband stared at the picture for 10 minutes!
I’d love to have a dinosaur theme for my son’s 4th birthday in July!!
I pinned!
Following AND pinned!!!
a) I have no idea…. maybe Mike?
b) anything pink! My daughter is obsessed with pink
OMG, I’m totally stealing the breakfast party idea! Amazing!
I think it was Mikes face that was swapped and I’d love a winter wonderland themed party!
Hubby. And cheese themed.
a.) I’m going to guess Mike for the picture
b.) I would LOVE a milk and cookies party for my twins 2nd birthday!
c.) pinned! 🙂
Harlow’s face! My baby girl turns 1 in february and I would like a ballerina themed birthday! BTW, love the pajama party theme, very original!
I think it’s Mazzy’s face that was Photo Shopped. My Son will be turning 9, December 29th! We are doing his party the second Sat. In Jan. if we could have a party in a box, we would pick, Plants Vs Zombies. H loves that game and the little figures.
Happy Birthday Harlow!
oh im soooo jealous!! my younger son’s first birthday is in january and the other son’s third birthday is in february. i have no motivation to plan anything 🙁
1. your face
2. a cars theme. the soon to be three year old is absolutely obsessed with cars. if that’s too mundane i’ll be happy with anything appropriate for a boy
followed and pinned…second entry please!
I’m guessing Mazzy. Would love a spring garden theme for my little flower’s first birthday!
I think it’s Mike! And I want a Paris party! I mean, my daughter wants one . . .
a) Mike
b) A cats and dogs party for a joint birthday celebration for my daughters – their birthdays are one month apart and one loves cats, the other loves dogs. Couldn’t have something this special for just one and leave the other out!
1) Mazzy
2) Butterflies and Bees
Gonna say Harlow for face swapping…
For a theme, my little 2 year old to be’s birthday falls on Mother’s Day next year (oy, thanks kid!) so I’d want a party theme we could both enjoy. So I’d… *cough* we’d love a video game themed party. My little girl has never picked up a video game but loves Nintendo characters and playing with the controllers!
So beautiful and low key! Love it all!
1. I think it’s Harlow’s Face you swapped out!
2. My little one is turning one in February and I would love to have a Monster Themed party!
I’m gonna guess Harlow. Also, Pajama pancake party sounds like a spectacular idea! I might just steal it…
Although I do like the gold sparkle party listed above! My daughter loves anything sparkly.
I also pinned the party link!
What a beautiful party!
1) I’m guessing that was Harlow’s face that was swapped
2) Elmo theme. It’s not very original, but my daughter is obsessed.
It’s a beautiful picture but I say Harlow! Let’s see for a party I think my daughter would love a stuffed animal or a chicka chicka boom boom themed party!
And … pinned it!
I want to say Mazzy’s face. The toy makes it look like she was more interested in that instead of taking a picture.
Party in a box for a 9year old and she wants My Little Ponies. Her birthday is in March.
Oh and PInned it!
I think Harlow’s face is swapped in. I would love a princess party for my daughter.
I’m guessing Mike’s face. My daughters would love a circus themed party since they are having a balloon artist at their party!
A) Mike!
B) Music! Like musical instruments, etc.
What an awesome party! I would have to say that Harlow was face swapped with photo shop. If I had to to choose a theme for my 5 yr old sons birthday in March it would be Paleontologist and dinosaurs. He is nuts about Paleontology and is the only 5 year old I know who watches documentaries on paleontology! lol
oh, and I pinned it
Harlow! And baby boy baby shower for my good friend who is expecting her second boy!
Not here for the giveaway.
Here for a request (aka nag): when is Harlow getting her place on the banner? Didn’t you promise that a while back? Since then, she is walking, she’s turned 1… What does a girl have to do to get on the banner?!
I think it’s Harlow’s face that is photoshopped.
We would probably have to have a minecraft party around here, but I wouldn’t know for sure until I asked the boys. Already a fb friend.
I repinned the pin on pinterest.
Super cute party idea! I may have to steal it. I am guessing that Harlow’s face is photoshopped. My daughter turns two next month and she loves Snow White so that is what I am planning in her theme being.
Photoshop job is amazing, so I’m making a guess that your face is the swap. I wanted to throw my little girl a party for her first birthday but we moved home to save money while I go back to school and my parents kitchen is under a major renovation that won’t be done before she turns one next week (can’t believe she is one already!). But if we were able to have the party it was going to be a Chevron & Sunshine party. Winter babies don’t get to have warm weather outdoor parties so I wanted to bring a little light/warmth in with her theme 🙂 even made a Pinterest board for it where I pinned your pin as well!
I pinned!
Mike? I would love a little chick party for my soon to be two year old daughter. Cheeky lil chick?
Definitely Mike is the photoshop victim. And I am dreaming of a girls night themed party. Love your blog!!
Harlow? And I would want a peacock-themed party. I have no idea why that just came into my head, I’ve never considered one before, but that could be fun!
What great pics and I love the comfy attire.
I’m guessing Mazzy only because I know how hard it is to get my 4 year old to cooperate when she is not the main focus of the event/photo 😉
And I would like a Mardi Gras–themed party for my baby girl’s first birthday in February. (We live in New Orleans and your Cronut has nothing on king cake.) Plus I should do something special for her since one week later we are leaving her with grandma and taking her big sister to Disney World…
Where did you get YOUR pajamas, as well as Harlow’s?
Your hubby’s face is photoshopped, nice job!
And I’m juggling a four year old pirate theme, minus swords and skulls, and a two year old animal theme for next years parties, so help with one of those themes would be great!!
A)Harlow
b)I want to do a little man/mustache party for my sons first birthday! 🙂
Her party looked amazing! such a cute idea! 🙂
1) Mike – and I totally dig his union suit!
2) My boys (4 & 8) just had their party in November but it will totally save me time and stress next year. I would say a costume party. And, yes, I like to do combo parties b/c their birthdays are two days apart.
P.S. Thanks for including Canadians! Love Rachel’s photography.
I think it is your face. My daughter’s second birthday will be in may and we haven’t thought of a theme yet. Every time I try to ask my husband, he says ‘dinosaurs,’ but I’m going to veto that and say Minnie Mouse!
I also pinned 🙂
Harlow?
1st birthday of barnyard animals, lemonade, and old school picnic (BBQ?).
Also, pinned on Pinterest!
Love this theme. Where are the kids jammys from??? So cute!!!
#1 think Harlow’s photo is edited.
#2 I would like box for a 3 and 4 year old party. Boy or girl. Any theme. Just really want to win.
I think it is Mazzy but as I’m in Australia I’m not eligible for your competition 🙁 I hope somebody lovely wins it 🙂
1. Harlow’s beautiful face
2. Forest or jungle theme for my little boy
Thank you!
This is so adorable. I want a pj party for my own birthday (or just a night of uninterrupted sleep).
a) your face?
b) I have no idea what kind of party I want for my 7mo old’s 1st birthday because right now his only main interest is sticking anything in his mouth. So maybe a drool theme? Ha!
Pinned it!
I’m going with Mike. We have a 3rd birthday coming up – I think she’d like pajamas and cookies! Also, pinned.
1. Your face 🙂
2. My son will be 1 in just 2 months, I would love to do a Dr. Seuss themed party.
Ps love YOUR pjs
OH what a fun party idea – beautifully decorated as well.
And goodness it’s so hard to tell which face…your PS skills are flawless it seems! I’m going to guess — your husbands face?
To answer the 2nd question: As much as I’d love a pink and glittery party, much like your pancake party…I’d have to go with a gender neutral theme of “vintage circus in a box” type party! I think it would be perfect for a combined bday party for my daughter and son (both born in the same month). 🙂
Also, I’ve pinned the pin! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/135389532521870643/
Pinned it!!
1) Mike
2) A lego theme
Pinned
Harlow!
I would like a Breakfast at Violet’s party!
I am guessing it’s Harlow’s face, even though I can’t imagine why. She always looks so darn adorable no matter what face she is making!
My ideal party would be either Finding Nemo themed or just ocean themed. I am planning to do a combo 5th/1st birthday party for my daughter and son at the Long Island Aquarium in April:)
The picture of you and Mazzy is fantastic! LOVE the party theme! Beautiful celebration
a) I think Harlow looks photoshopped.
b) I have triplets (2 boys, 1 girl) who are turning 3 in March. The boys love the movie Cars and my daughter loves everything princes. I’m thinking I’d love a Princess Cars birthday box.
Harlow’s pic was swapped.
I think my son would love a superhero party. He turns 2 in April.
Thanks!
It’s you! Transportation theme for my little man!
a) You photoshopped you husband’s face.
b) Purplicious party
I think Harlow’s cute face was swapped.
I’m definitely a fb fan, and now following you on Pinterest. I’ve pinned as directed. 🙂 Proof:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/98164466851907757/
I would love a peacock themed party! Yay
I think it’s Harlow even though I can’t imagine her making a not-adorable face.
My girls are both December babies two years apart so we do joint parties. I think some sort of sister theme, if that is possible, might be interesting. Or terrible. Just trying to think of something original.
CONSIDER IT PINNED
P.S. Already a FB fan, followed you on Pinterest and repinned 🙂
I think it was Harlow’s face that was swapped.
My second daughter is turning 1 in January and we’re hoping to continue on with the owl theme from my baby shower and her nursery. 🙂
There’s no way you could get two ittys to look at the camera at the same time so I’m saying Harlow was photoshopped in. 😉 Her party hat looks like its ‘slightly layered’ over you just a bit?
I’m putting together a vintage toy truck baby shower for a girlfriend right after Christmas & would love some creative help!
Love, Love, Love!
1) Yourself
2) Pirate theme
3) Pinned
Love the party! Such a great idea!
I think its your face.
A new years eve party!
I love the party idea! I’m going to remember that!
I think that its your face.
I would love something for New Years Eve
a) Mike
B) Dinosaur party in a box
Can you please tell me where you got Harlow’s bunny slippers??? My daughter’s 1st birthday is on the 11th and I have been searching high and low for a pair! Thank you for the great idea for the theme! It is perfect for a baby’s 1st birthday! 🙂 Love your blog.
I bought them at a place called Ibiza Kids in NYC. As far as I can tell, you can’t purchase their stuff online. I looked in the slippers and there is no brand name. SORRY! I looked really hard for good bunny slippers too. I think Pottery Barn Kids might had some good ones.
Where did you find your little girls pj’s? They are too cute!
Harlow
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I think it’s either Mazzy or Mike. Mike’s face looks exactly like it did in the photo above, and Mazzy is shifting her eyes to one side, which looks suspicious.
My Allie (almost 4) would love a Shopkins theme!
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