23/52 {THE BIRTHDAY PARTY EDITION}

This photo pretty much sums up how Everly felt about her second birthday party!

(In case you can't tell, she had an absolute ball!)

We celebrated with close family and friends at a little community centre for a casual morning tea (which turned into lunch!), serving up yummy vegetarian sausage rolls (using this spelt puff pastry recipe), mini quiches, sandwiches, veggies with hummus and dukkah (Thanks Abby!), and a big bowl of popcorn cooked in coconut oil and sea salt. We finished up with blowing out two candles on chocolate cupcakes (vegan using this delicious recipe, with spelt flour, rapadura sugar and coconut oil substitutes). (I was pretty proud of myself for managing to serve up 'healthy' party food to suit Everly's dietary requirements, and many of our friends also eat the same way or are vegetarian/vegan). There were no games or party bags (I will leave that stress to future years!). The kids played, and the adults talked. The sun shone and the weather was perfect. It truly was a beautiful and memorable day. Everly is so blessed to have so many amazing and loving people in her life!

Joining in with the 52 Project at Che & Fidel.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

everly turns one!

We celebrated Everly's first birthday and Naming Day at our local community centre, surrounded by our closest family and friends.

We shared the meaning behind her name Everly Violet (I may or may not have choked up a little), blessings were read by her Oma and Nonno and Nana and Papa, and Mark and I said promises to Everly for everyone to witness. It was short and sweet, but very emotional. 

Afterwards we ate homemade sausage rolls and fairy bread, sang 'Happy Birthday' (as you can see above, the birthday girl was a little shy) and served up the giant violet ombré layer cake (now, that was a labour of love!). I even made Everly her very own dairy-free and gluten-free mini layer cake, topped with hundreds and thousands in the shape of a heart (you can see it here). She was a little hesitant at first but it didn't take long for her to smoosh her finger into the icing, quickly followed by both her hands!

The birthday girl was a total star on the day - toddling around the room (yes, we now have a walker! Everly took her first steps on her birthday and hasn't stopped since!), playing with her friends, and having cuddles with family members. 

Mark and I had a ball, too. In a way, it was also a celebration for us. We survived the first year! ;)

I can always tell I've had fun at a party because I haven't taken any (quality) photos. I quickly snapped a few of the above when I had a spare 30 seconds, and the rest were captured by my brother-in-law (thanks Ash!). 

everly's first birthday invites

I still can't quite get my head around the fact Everly will be twelve months old in two week's time!

Our baby girl will be ONE on the 6th June!

With Everly's first birthday nearing, I am thinking more about her birth, which in the past has sent me into a downward spiral of what-ifs and lots of tears. So I am trying to be kind to myself, to go gently, to be positive, and to rephrase negative thoughts.

And I am choosing to embrace all things wonderful about planning a party!

First up, the invitations. I had lots of fun with these! Who would have thought hand-stitching bunting would be so therapeutic? :)