I made this sign using my trusty Cricut machine. I made it neutral enough in order for it to be 'recyclable' for future parties.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIqu3djbpoPPULaamFu6LJcI_oEUu8oHSJETvgL_vk7fCFpWSdBIkbGQh1PwHgULG7j3Lz28gHnBlCPcPy288hr31zO1jAtCMVeg7lwls-3I5GXrgj3CJIo-9sJWr4KjDCm3IApk3NH3N/s320/P8215000.jpg)
I baked chocolate chip cookies ahead of time and stored them in the freezer. They came out to thaw the morning of the party, and were all ready to go by the time the guests arrived. We had a huge party, and cookies were an affordable way to say 'thank you' to our guests.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMl9b8S6e1wRMJ0ji88vvkCh8CGMF7OVq4aSlulWVsa-_0f8RpAGpLCSDk9QRW_Hfj87x-3mLi5sBBAk4vWGhtxB63YBFX14HZtbKbjJ2Fa2L48DwX7Mh8o2pOCvl4GWVuR_7DFuosiZ1/s320/P8214995.jpg)
I bravely decided to bake all of the cakes, and they were a huge hit! I used boxed mixes, yellow and devil's food cake from Duncan Hines, followed the high-altitude directions, and they were delicious. The frosting was homemade, and I decorated with simple, pink polka dots. The serving tables were decorated with a variety of circles cut out from scrap paper I had on hand.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MbExR2ZqOnimt5YbMtOvS_gewg05Ao0spbW862AQM6P2UX3jZPD-XdlZld7fAjOXyqQAztTyOmjY60u4qiwIjlJsQdbFSyAyzsXVzKjdHnhLM-MFJKJZPAMYmZoJND-mCpe-zJ378b0f/s320/P8225008.jpg)
I also made Maren her own party hat, which she managed to keep on for about 3 minutes while she dug into her cake. ;)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9r67XIzMeePH_XLPeKi5Nr4e0yCx7_ay6I8FcSP67zMBWxjac2RqAXLjYxrbeWUgqO4d-NyfIMmCQvlVuDwqdwrUCM5Z3AFQbgX6ZcOo_YTB5hOYNIPH-8XKEMdp6zSApkw8Kc-ioV8C/s320/P8225015.jpg)
What's a first-birthday-party-post without a picture of the guest of honor enjoying the long-awaited cake? Our little lady was not a bit shy when it came time to indulge in her chocolate yumminess!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qGO89ogAz60m7u483kUDzW3rD7Ddae1dsyWoKuAowuanw4NTg-5MO9jpuoKfFAEqbHTrcu-rmOK74hOiNdadR5_S9IPYaQcf-BuozYYmGRzoyDmBpwrtKUX2mshkOk8s9QAvAsz7xBLv/s320/P8225062.jpg)