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one year old in a flash {take two}

After Levi’s One Year Old in a Flash party I knew that I wanted to have the same theme for all future Mac kids’ first birthdays. (Original idea from here.) I love the focus of the party being on pictures, memories, and prayers for their future. First birthdays are a big thing to celebrate around here! So…here is the One Year Old in a Flash first birthday party…take two.

The photo collage was inspired by this one. I loved looking back through Griffin’s pictures over the past year. So many sweet memories. Now I need to get all of those pictures in a baby book!

We had a gourmet hotdog bar inspired by this party. I ordered these fun trays for the hotdogs and they never came. I was so confused why they didn’t arrive on time and then we opened one of Griffin’s presents that was also from Amazon and realized they were in the same box. Bummer! So we didn’t get to use the trays for the party. Now I need to come up with another creative use for them…I have tons! 🙂

I made signs for all the different kinds of hotdogs and their toppings. (Thanks for the idea Lesley!) They kept blowing away on the evening of the party (along with everything else), so I don’t know how helpful they were…if only Kansas wasn’t so windy! Have you ever tried cream cheese and grilled onions on your hotdog? So good. 🙂

Drinks & stripey straws.

The bunting was inspired by Heather…of course! She is the queen of parties! (You need to check out her son’s birthday party…so cute!)

Photo props from say hello and chalkboard frames made by my brother. Unfortunately it got dark before anyone started using them, so no good pictures!

The 1 banner was inspired by Heather too. I should have just ordered a banner from her shop because they are much cuter, but I didn’t think of it in time for her to ship one to me. I got the idea for the pictures on the tree on Pinterest but couldn’t find the link. They are all instagram pictures that I ordered from postal pix.

Griffin and his great grandparents. I wish I would have thought to take a picture of Griffin with all the guests to put in the time capsule. There are just too many things to do on party day and I always forget something!

The sweet birthday boy. He was acting so funny on the night of his party. He was being very bashful and serious…very unlike him. We could hardly get him to look at the camera.

Lots of little friends and cousins.

Lots of hugs for Griffin and lots of hotdogs consumed.

It was almost dark by cupcake and present time. Big brother is always close by to help.

My friend Julie made Griffin an awesome smash cake but it was so dark by the time we ate cake that I decided to save it for our family pictures and just let Griffin have a cupcake. So glad I did.

He thought the cupcake was great and this way he got two days of cake eating!

The party favors were animal noses. Simple and cheap. And the kids loved them…but again it was dark by the time we handed them out, so no pictures.

Levi was helping me package them and tried a few on. He thought they were pretty awesome…and he thought he was pretty funny.

And while I was taking the pictures he ran into the other room and got his camera. He was taking pictures too. Maybe he will have his own blog someday?!

 My favorite part of the One Year Old in a Flash theme is the time capsule. I love the idea of my kids being able to open all these notes (many including verses and prayers that people are praying for them) when they are 18. So special. I included a note explaining the time capsule and a paper with Griffin’s name to write the note on. I filled the time capsule with all the notes, birthday cards, invitation and a few things from the party.
And just like that…Griffin was one year old in a flash.
Happy birthday, Griffin! You are an awesome one year old!
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  • Andrea @Mama in the City - Happy Birthday Griffin!! I think the first birthday is a very special birthday indeed and you’ve created an amazing celebration. You are a fantastic party planner and I love the ideas you have. I’ve got my little girls first birthday in 3 month and I’m already day dreaming about her celebration.ReplyCancel

  • Beth Ann - Love it all so much! Our little boy just turned one as well. They definitely get there in a flash!ReplyCancel

  • Michelle from Oz - Beautiful Jess. Just beautiful. You are such an awesome Mum.ReplyCancel

  • Alaina - What a wonderful idea!! Can you please let me know where you got the “time capsule” box? I would like to do this for my daughters next birthday.ReplyCancel

  • Jamie Van Nuys - What a fantastic party. I love the simple yet super fun theme. Also, a hot dog bar? Genius!ReplyCancel

  • Danielle F. - What a sweet celebration! Happy 1st birthday, Griffin! It’s been a blessing “watching” you grow! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Dana - My daughter turned one today and her party is Sunday…I thought I was done with the details, but you gave me some more ideas. Griffin is so adorable and a year goes by way too fast!ReplyCancel

  • ranee - cute cute cute. love all the little details and i’m not surprised that you threw another adorable party! i am thinking about all the things you could do with those hot dog trays…and actually considering buying some myself! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - so cute jess! you throw awesome parties. 🙂
    i have been quoting Levi to craig all week “i am going to go now….but i will come back here” and then i crack up.ReplyCancel

  • Amy Pinney - JESS. Your family pictures are so awesome! I had a serious “Awww” moment when I saw the pink balloon…..so beautiful. The black and white shot of the boys (Levi seems to be showing Griffin something) is just beautiful too. You are so blessed with a precious family!!ReplyCancel

  • Christina - So sweet! It looks like a great night! So funny about his bashfulness. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Jordyn - So cool! I would get a print for my friend who has made a small town in Arkansas her home 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Jordyn - So cool! I would get a print of Arkansas for my friend who has made a small town in Arkansas her home 🙂ReplyCancel

  • In This Wonderful Life - What a cute party!! I love all the fun little details and the setting 🙂ReplyCancel

  • heather cargill - Thank you for sharing this awesome idea and helpful links, so doing this for my 2nd sons birthday in July. I did a time capsule for my first sons 1st birthday and I so cherish the letters inside, one from my brother who died just 8 months later and the other from my husbands dad who passed away a few weeks after that, those are something you can never get back and will be so neat for your children to read when they are “adults”…thanks again!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Heather-What a gift to have those letters. I know they will be something my boys treasure too! Happy birthday to your son! 🙂

    • Jess - Heather-What a gift to have those letters. I know they will be something my boys treasure too! Happy birthday to your son! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • fourth of july » The Macs - […] a Fourth of July party for Joel’s family. We had a gourmet hotdog bar just like we did at Griffin’s first birthday. Hotdogs are always a hit around here…I’m glad because hotdogs are […]ReplyCancel