All Images by Tim CoulsonWe celebrated Eulalie's first birthday on a humid, Friday afternoon in our own back yard.
We hung the bunting that decorated the marquee at our wedding two years before.
We raided the house for all our vintage chairs and scattered them over the lawn.
The kids ran around on the grass, popped bubbles with their tongues and chased each-other through tunnels.
They (babies excluded!) ate smarties and iced vo-vo's and drank cold lemonade.
They wore handmade party hats and played with giant round balloons.
The day ended with a sausage sizzle and a delicious layered butter cake, made with love by Daddy.
It was all the things a good Aussie kids party should be.
Too often - myself included - grown-up's tend to underestimate how much a one year old understands. I've heard so many times that first birthday parties are 'really just for the adults' because the baby doesn't know what's going on. And I almost believed that to be true... until I observed, with pure joy in my heart, my baby girl having an absolute ball. I have never seen Lalie enjoy herself as much as I did that day, watching her toddle around her backyard, surrounded by family and friends and playing games with the kids. And there's no doubt in my mind that she was aware that this special celebration was for her. This was particularly clear to me when I saw her face as everyone gathered to sing her very first "Happy Birthday". It was beautiful to watch.
Many thanks to Tim Coulson for capturing - so very beautifully - this special day for our family. These images are priceless!
And a super special thanks to my gorgeous family who helped cook and decorate on the day - Much love to you all! xx
60 comments:
Cutest 1st birthday party ever and captured so beautifully. Lucky little Lalie. Her expressions in these photos speak a thousand words. So special.
x
these photos are great! i love all the little details - the bunting, the hats & the cake topper. great work!
m x
These photos are great Claire, they have captured the day beautifully. And I agree that Eulalie knows the day is for her, she just looks so happy and excited in all the photos!
Another great job by Tim
Rach x
Oh my god! It looks like super fun, casual, loving, lovely PERFECTION. Kellie xx
PS love the birthday girl & mother of the birthday girl dresses!
The second to last picture, where you are holding her in the sunlight- that is my favorite.
She is growing so quickly and seems like such a happy, expressive little girl. Looks like a lovely and relaxing party. Thanks you for sharing with us!
Oh my gosh lovely pictures, I do love to come and read your blog full of whimsy, loveliness and delight x lesley
Wow, you can feel the love. It looks like you had the perfect day, with the perfect images to remember it by.
Thanks for sharing.x
there is delight in each and every one of these photos. such a charming set up too...happy birthday miss lalie x
simple and beautiful. happy birthday and i agree with you they know.
x
Amazing amazing party Claire. The bunting, the tablecloths, the cake & hats. All awesome. And you two are wearing the prettiest dresses. Girl, I want to raid your wardrobe. Tim is, as ever, brilliant. Xx
absolutely beautiful. tim does such an amazing job. you need to capture these special moments, as they never return and they grow up just way too quick! your dress is beautiful. gorman? :)
What a fun time. Such a gorgeous day too.
www.thegirlieblog.com
I think bubs really know that it's their big day. What a wonderful party, Claire. Just full of friendship and love. x
PS - That Tim, I swear!!! x
Oh how lovely! Gorgeous photos and gorgeous party. I'm glad the birthday girl had a great time!
How beautiful. Love the giant balloons. And, yes, I think they know...clever little beings. xx
What a lovely first birthday, i love all the buntings and vintage chairs! It looks just gorgeous!!
This is such a great birthday party .Happy birthday little cuty Eulalie.. :)
What a beautiful little family the three of you make Claire. Gorgeous pics and lovely memories for little Eulalie.
What beautiful photos!! Happy birthday to your darling girl xx
Beautiful photos! Happy baby! Love it!
Sounds and looks like the perfect first birthday party.
Love those oversize balloons and simple and sweet cake...cooked by Paddy! Very cool!!!
Tim doesn't disappoint! Gorgeous pics of your gorgeous family. What a lucky girl! :)
that such a lovely party...happy birthday to the baby from Spain! You have a cute family!
XX_Lau
that such a lovely party...happy birthday to the baby from Spain! You have a cute family!
XX_Lau
LOVE. Effortlessly cool. (Although I'm sure it took a lot of effort to make it look this way - props to you!). I might just be stealing a few ideas for Everly's 1st birthday in June. Oh how I wish we could have a summer party - alas, we will be inside in winter! Any tips??
happy birthday little one. your observations of her big day are very touching. x
ps. that photo of all those wee ones sitting together...adorable.
wow claire, wow! of course an amazing job by tim, but an amazing job by you and paddy - the cake, I can't believe he did the cake!! I did one very similar but green for my youngest's christening cake. just beautiful and lalie looks like she had a ball. she looks like such a happy happy little soul. and your account of the day, goosebumps and a tear (as we approach a first birthday in a few weeks too). and you look beautiful too x
Claire,
I am smiling, smiling, smiling at the beauty of your daughter's first birthday. The balloon on the truck in the first picture had me entranced. I am so happy for you three. I am certain you are still beaming from ear to ear with all these memories and photographs.
Stephanie
Happy first Birthday sweet little Eulalie! You look sooooo pretty in your little dress at your party & your sweet little face bursting with happiness! Claire you looked gorgeous! Glowing! I love your dress! Thank you for sharing such precious moments.
Tim is a master, these pics are spectacular. So many precious moments captured in that collection. It looks like it was a beautiful party and I can certainly see the joy in Lalie's face, she knew, no doubt about it :o) xo
Utterly magnificent! Such happy faces and fabulous decorations!..and immense cake! A belated Happy birthday to a gorgeous little girl with the prettiest name I have ever heard! xx
What a precious day and oh my the weather makes me long for a trip back to your beautiful country. It is freezing here in Glasgow but at least a wee bit of winter sun here today! These images are perfect. Jo x
these photos are adorable! really captured the moment. also nice cake!
love all the tilt shift and the before and during party scene photos. those balloons are huuuuge! lucky gorgeous girl. x
OH shucks, I wish I was invited, haha!
beautiful! Her smile and yours says it all. Tim is a real talent.. and I love your styling. Those balloons are the thing! LOVE IT! Happy birthday Lalie. Lou xx
lovely photos... and your dress is amazing.
xo,
alison rae
http://darlingclementines.blogspot.com/
I LOVE.....
Lalie's dress, your Gorman dress (I wanted that one!), Tim's talent, your backyard (Sydney's inner west - ho hum!), using that amazing quilt as a feature...everything really...looks like a fantastic party!
Congratulations!!!!!! so exiting! my boy will be one in march, so we´re starting to daydream about it..... the photos are absolutely gorgeous and so are the three of you! bless Eulalie!!
Gorgeous birthday girl, stunning mumma, fun party, amazing photos by Tim ... all pretty perfect!
That looks like the sweetest 1st birthday party! I love what you said about watching her have a ball. The photos are amazing.
I returned to your post to ask you about the balloons and then noticed the paragraphs at the bottom - I don't know how I missed them before??
Well, it certainly looks like Lalie had an absolute ball from those photos! -- oh, she definitely knew this celebration was all about her! We recently went to my bestfriend's daughter's 1st birthday and she was exactly the same. Our little ones are a lot more aware than we often give them credit for. Your words make me even more excited for Everly's 1st birthday in a few months!
Before I forget, where did you buy the large round balloons? I have seen them so often in blogs, particularly wedding blogs, but after a quick Google couldn't find anywhere with any decent colours (they all seem to sell red and white only). If you could point me in the right direction that would be awesome! :)
xx
Wow, that photo of you and Laie and the balloons, the yard your dress love it all!!
Just beautiful Claire. Everything x
Prior to this post I was in the Just For Grown Up's boat. And although these images are truly and utterly beautiful, it's your sincere words that have swayed me to consider throwing BB a little do for her birthday next month.
Happy Birthday little Lalie! xxx
I can't even remember if I have commented on this post yet or not, but if I have I will again anyhow.. Seriously beautiful photos, such a beautiful family, sounds and looks like a totally awesome day and I agree that babies know when its their birthday, Lyla was just the same.
Happy weekend. xx
Such beautiful photo's and words Claire. I love your spirit and your determination- i think the wee bug may have caught it form you.
A first birthday to b treasured forever!
xo em
So glad her birthday was magical. Congratulations on an amazing year as Lalie's mum.
Looks like a really cool day. Oh I'd love to be having a garden party this weekend, freezing here in the UK so we'll have to wait till our summer to do that.
the photos are magnificent, looks like a great day! i loved having more of a look at your beautiful home too!
What wonderful photos on a very special party. Lalie is a lucky girl.
Party perfection Claire. I don't think i've ever seen a happier birthday girl and a more gorgeous mama (in all her Gorman goodness!). I love love love it all.
And how I dream of living in digs like yours. xx
I think you're spot on Claire. Plus, I can't really see anything wrong with sharing such a special occasion with family and friends!
just gorgeous! love the homemade family vibe here :) the photos have captured the moment beautifully - a lovely keepsake!
Kel x
Happy happy birthday sweet Lalie! These photos are gorgeous memories of *such* a gorgeous day. xx
What a divine little family.
You speak with so much love, it just hits us like a sonic boom. A joy to read!
My favourite bit?
When you said you knew Lalie knew this day was for her, you're so right, they really do know!
1 year of life, & of parenthood!
... That's something wor celebrating!
Amazing photos.
I love those balloons! I have some too, for my son's 1st Birthday in 3 weeks.
x
Wedding cakes that have a beach theme can be anything from incredibly elegant to just-plain fun, with a whole lot of in between. What's important is the 'look and feel' that you want to create with beach wedding cake!
Wedding cakes that have a beach theme can be anything from incredibly elegant to just-plain fun, with a whole lot of in between. What's important is the 'look and feel' that you want to create with beach wedding cake!
happy 1st bday Lalie! wish I was there sipping on lemonade and popping bubbles.
absolutely beautiful Claire...just beautiful, pics and words ♥
Magical, just magical.
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