Charli is ONE! Let's PARTY!

On March 24th, we, and 100+ of our closest friends and family celebrated Charli's 1st birthday with a Lady bug and butterfly themed party. On the menu, catered by Mariano's http://www.marianos.com we served a cheese platter, shrimp platter, veggie platter, fruit platter, friend chicken, chicken breast with marinara, orechiette pasta, baked red potatoes, roast beef Au jus, a cookie platter, and an EXTRA large marble cake. Not to mention Domino's pizza. There were plenty of spirits to go around and a crowd pleasing Sangria from Trader Joe's. The flower center pieces were also from Trader Joe's, including some beautiful purple-blue hydrangeas. Charli's cake was beautifully decorated with lady bugs and butterflies and was one of the best cakes I have ever had, people came back for 2nds and 3rds and there was no cake to take home (besides the piece I hid). Nothing could top the Lady Bug smash cake made by Sassy, it was beautiful and in Charli's case too beautiful to eat or smash! Charli  is the cleanest little girl in the world thanks to her Dad, she would rather clean up than be messy so having food on her hands or her face isn't something she is accustomed too. (Daddy is a little over the top) The party began at 1:30 with the face painters and balloon artist arriving at 2, they did an amazing job and I think all the kids, young and old, had a really good time. www.faceartandballoons.com/  Charli was a bit under the weather, but who could blame her with a Spring like this, but she made it through enough to laugh, sing Happy Birthday, play with the kids, walk around, and take a nap with Grampy. I'd say that's quite a big day for a 1 year old on an express nap! We waited to open all Charli's amazing gifts on Saturday and in true 12 month old fashion she preferred the boxes to what was in them. Innocence is bliss. Thanks to everyone who celebrated! (If you have more pictures please send them they would be greatly appreciated)

 Happy Birthday Monk we Love you!

The flower centerpieces