A party for one

It was a good, good day… as evidenced by the amount of chocolate involved.

A chance to celebrate the life of our precious son… our treasure, our joy, our sweet, sweet boy.

We started off the day with fireworks–well, sort of–and opening pretty packages with Gigi and Gramps over skype and Nanny and Bop in person. How wonderful it was to have all of Levi’s grandparents present for… the presents.

And then of course was the party. There were lots of banners… big, floating balloons… party pies and sausage rolls (classic Aussie kids party food)… adorable and animated munchkins under three feet tall… many wonderful friends… brightly wrapped gifts… party hats… and of course cupcakes… many cupcakes. (We are still eating cupcakes.)

There was a make-shift photo booth… for laughs and memories and future blackmail material.

There were squeals of delight… and well-wishes… three generations… and free play… live music performances by the little ones… and “helpers” for Levi when he opened his gifts.

And of course there was chocolate… the first timid tastes of sugar which built to kneading and mashing and stuffing of the face… moments of hilarity… and lots, and lots, and lots of mess.

Oh sweet, sweet chocolate… all over our sweet, sweet boy…

The Paper Mama

There were impromptu fake beards… and very dirty clothes… and kids sent straight to the tub.

And after our little birthday boy was tucked up into bed… there was more celebration: toasting, laughing, and reminiscing. There were sincere prayers of thanksgiving and a few little tears of joy and gratitude.

It was a good, good day.

It was a great day.

And, although we most likely will not put such time and energy into parties to come, to mark this first year with a bang felt right and appropriate. Levi’s life (and our parenthood) seemed worthy of our best effort. We thank the good Lord for the miracle of life and for the ability and means to celebrate well.

Dear friends, near and far, thank you for making our occasion so special.

enjoying the afterglow,

P.S. Just so you know, I did the party for quite cheap… lots of construction paper, ribbon, my laptop, a printer, some felt, a few sticks, brads, magnets, and wooden clothespins, a visit to the dress-up box that lives under my bed… and of course my trusty little glue gun. The most “expensive” thing was getting a few helium balloons. I’m convinced that making something feel extravagant does not have to cost a fortune… but rather some planning and some creativity!! Oh, and I made Levi’s cake from a box, set it on a plastic plate that I found in my cupboard, and stuck a couple of handmade pinwheels on there with a candle – simple and cheap and cute! Betty Crocker, I am not my friends. 🙂





adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

22 Comments

  • Mandy
    1 February 2011 at 6:15 am

    Looks like a really fun celebration!!! Great pics!

    Reply
  • Shawntae
    1 February 2011 at 6:22 am

    Ahh looks like soo much fun! I love the decorations and the "aftermath" picture!!

    he is sooo sweet!!

    Reply
  • Lori Vernon
    1 February 2011 at 8:07 am

    So awesome! I LOVE the photo booth idea… well really I LOVE EVERYTHING, but that photo booth was especially great!

    Reply
  • Ryan
    1 February 2011 at 12:04 pm

    I love the woman that came up with it all. Creative and beautiful. Levi is one lucky boy to have mum/mom like adriel. Great job sweet heart.

    Reply
  • Casey Martinez
    1 February 2011 at 12:22 pm

    great party pics and looks like a total success;0. Love the decor! I have to be honest…I'm almost dreading the messy cake smash but, I like that you covered your high chair in a sheet or something like that;0. I will have to try that! Levi looked adorable!

    Reply
  • cooperl788
    1 February 2011 at 1:10 pm

    What a wonderful day to celebrate such an awesome little boy! I love that you did his party without blowing the bank; the clothesline of pictures is genius! If you wouldn't have written that you did most of it yourself, I would have never known! 🙂

    Reply
  • Chelsea
    1 February 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Happy Birthday to your handsome little man!

    http://vandylandmommy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • Becca
    1 February 2011 at 6:47 pm

    That top picture needs to be blown up and framed. I love it. Happy Birthday Levi!

    Reply
  • Cameron
    1 February 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Looks like he had a blast!!! I love the Aftermath picture! I'm also envious of all the chocolate!!!

    Reply
  • ElissaM
    1 February 2011 at 8:27 pm

    Oh my goodness! You do an AMAZING job as a party planner! Your little guy really got into the cake and it is so perfect! Happy Birthday to Levi and Congrats to you guys for your first year:-)

    Reply
  • JIll
    2 February 2011 at 2:44 am

    It looks like a blast!!!! The cake pictures are great. Makes me want to start planning Little B's birthday. I need to do O's first though.

    Reply
  • Jennie {Clover and Violet}
    2 February 2011 at 12:41 pm

    What a fun party! Happy birthday to Levi and to his parents. (We had Silas' party the same day too!)

    Reply
  • Heather M
    2 February 2011 at 5:58 pm

    You did such a great job, Looks like a blast!! I love all the pictures, I may have to copy the photo booth Idea next birthday!!

    Reply
  • Stacey
    4 February 2011 at 5:14 am

    Looks like everyone had a great time!
    I love your blog!
    I hope you will follow me back!
    http://madeofsnails.blogspot.com/
    http://staceylovesscents.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  • Mary
    7 February 2011 at 2:57 am

    Congratulations Momma…you made it! Only 17 more to go until college. LOL! Enjoy him while he's small!

    Reply
  • Kristin
    28 March 2011 at 12:42 am

    what a fun party and what great and wonderful pictures! You capture the moment so beautifully! I love that last picture of the aftermath… TOO CUTE!!

    Reply
  • Elliemae Ink {Cherie}
    28 March 2011 at 9:31 pm

    What a great post!
    Loved all the photo collages of each step of the day.
    The first pic is priceless!
    Love them all!!!

    Reply
  • […] about weaning. (Oh how moms love to talk about breastfeeding!) And don’t forget, we also had the party of the year, which was so. much. […]

    Reply
  • […] Levi’s sock monkey 1st birthday party […]

    Reply
  • […] had such fun throwing my kids’ parties over the last couple of years – Levi’s first birthday sock monkey party and his second birthday cowboy party, and Judah’s first birthday circus party. I’m now […]

    Reply
  • Tiffany
    24 June 2018 at 6:51 am

    Oh my gosh! I have 2 boys as well…who are also named Levi and Judah! We are also doing a carnival/circus theme for Judah’s birthday. How crazy is that!?

    Reply

Leave a Reply