The theme was Peter Rabbit.
We had ham and Swiss, chicken salad, and pimento cheese sandwiches, a veggie tray with hummus and ranch dip, carrot-shaped cheese logs, pretzels, breadsticks, and fruit with fruit dip. I tried to pick things that were kid-friendly.
The cheese carrots were definitely a hit, and so easy!
But the highlight of any birthday party spread is the cake!
I made homemade carrot cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting and homemade chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. The carrot cake recipe is from Come On In, the Junior League of Jackson's cookbook. I have made other carrot cake recipes, but none of them top that one. It is the same recipe I use for my Easter bunny cake.
The cupcake toppers on the carrot cake cupcakes were the inspiration for the entire party. Chip bought them for me years ago. When we were making birthday party plans, I just knew I had to use them.
The chocolate cupcake recipe is Magnolia Bakery's. I got the tiny fondant veggies on Etsy and made the flower pot seed markers from junk I got at Dollar Tree and some clothespins.
Ok, enough about the food! What about the baby?
She was a sweetie. And she loves chocolate buttercream. She didn't eat much cake. Mostly just chocolate frosting. But oh did she love that chocolate frosting.
The guests ate. We opened gifts, Lydia and I. She sat on my lap and watched mama. I liked that.
The kiddos played with drums and the piano and later some foam shapes that stick to the window with a little water.
Before my brother and his crew left, we all loaded on a blanket in the front yard and took a few pictures of the kids and of our families.
It was such a wonderful day. I loved having family and friends over to share the event with us. It was the perfect way to celebrate Lydia's first year.
