Riley's 1st Birthday

I have already started planning Riley's 3rd Birthday party. Even though it's 2 months a way I find that starting to plan early not only saves my sanity it saves money because I can shop around and I have more time to make things myself.

For Riley's first birthday we still lived in our apartment we were lucky it was a fairly large place 1,150 square feet. We only invited family but between the 2 of us it makes for a pretty large group!

I had a 1st Princess Theme. I was fairly simple with Pink and white balloons a few streamer and banners just the 1st princess napkins and a fabulous Pink Castle Cake! The Menu was simple Hot Dogs which was Riley's favorite food at the time and some side dishes the grandmother's and Aunts bought.




My mom Bought her that cute 1st birthday princess dress at Babies R Us along with the crown. For her invitations I just got some pretty paper at Walmart and wrote up a cute invite with wording like...

A Royal 1st Birthday Celebration

Princess Riley cordially invites you to attend her 1st birthday party

In her Castle at- 3000 Castle Way

To Take place- On August 30th 2008

-At the Hour of- Half Past 5 O'clock




I went back and forth on a cake for weeks till I found this cake on the BettyCrocker website! The had a how to video and it was so easy! The frosting was a little difficult because it was SO hot out then after I froze the crumb coat and started icing it was melting and then starting leaning I had to take off the top trier. I know from working in Tops Baking although I did no baking I was a clerk that even there cakes are froze before the decorate them! And they are still so good! I shouldn't have waited till 2 am in the morning I should have done it 2 days before and froze it next time I will!



I wanted Riley to have her own smash cake so I bakes up a round cake and frosted it pink and away she went!




The day before the party was her actual birthday. We had gotten her a kitchen set in July but still had a couple little things like books and a ball pit for her. We took her Chuck E Cheese that morning. it was Friday and she had the run of the place then back home for a favorite lunch of pasta pick ups and a nap. Then we went to the pool and the park she had dinner at the pool and that was the day all about her!
It was a simple and cheap party although those signs I wanted cost about 6 bucks a pop! The cake plates for get it so I just went with the printed napkins. She had a great time so that's all that really matters!