Milk and Cookies party

I thought I would have a simple 1 year birthday party for my son.  Before I knew it, I was knee deep in party planning, scouring the internet for ideas, pinning ideas on pintrest and then spending counting hours putting it all together.  Thankfully my sweet little boy loved the decorations and I also enjoyed entertaining my creative side and putting together the party for everyone to enjoy.

I settled on the Milk and Cookies theme.  I think it turned out great.  I feel compelled to post as I borrowed ideas from so many places!  I hope this helps you as well.  Happy Birthday planning!

Pictures are a bit dark given the window in the back, but you can see the table set up.

Cookie table.  We had chocolate and white cupcakes, macadamia nuts, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, oatmeal pies, chocolate chip, snicker doodle, and oreos.

My baby had yet to have sugar, eggs or oil, so I wanted to create an egg-free, oil-free cake.  I used a simple chocolate recipe and used applesauce, yogurt etc. to try to create a healthier version.  http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/07/10/my-go-t-chocolate-cupcake-recipe/
I also used a simple frosting recipe and put the least amount of ingredients possible.  I just wanted it to look like cake, but be okay if my son ate it.  It did not taste good, but it looked cute. ha!

Cupcakes from local bakery.  Added a small cookie to each cupcake (found at Trader Joe's).

All labels, banners, etc. I order from Esty and printed.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/90385164/milk-and-cookies-birthday-pink-and-brown?ref=sr_gallery_16&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=milk+and+cookies&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Drink bar.  We had 2% milk, skim milk, Whole milk, hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows.  I purchased milk (not in picture) from a local farmer and it came in cute half gallon glass milk bottles.  The milk was put in ice in the bucket.  I spray painted the drink bucket with stainless steel spray paint I got at Hobby Lobby.  The bucket was originally light blue.

Pom Poms were made from Martha Stewart site http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to.  Great Youtube video too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDAgjtScFpU.

The decorative string was made from fabric and yarn.  Got inspiration here: http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/10/10-ways-to-make-a-garland.html
I bought two complimentary colors of fabric and used it through out the party (for the decorative string, son's bday outfit, table cloth).

In lieu of cups, I had "milk bottles."  These are starbucks frappuccino bottles.  I got the inspiration here: http://factorydirectcraft.com/factorydirectcraft_blog/category/for-the-home/

Milk bucket, straws and milk bottles.

Given my son's birthday is in winter, I provided hot chocolate (marshmallows and whip cream) on the cold winter day!

We also had organic chocolate milk.  Big hit with the young children.

Speaking of young children, my friend let us borrow this little table.  I put fabric on top for a table cloth to match the party and it was a big hit.  Great place for the young kids to enjoy their cookies and milk.

Of course, not everyone likes milk, so we had water as well.

Party favors were take home bags to fill with cookies!

Decorated the back room where we opened presents. Decorated with banner and decorative string.

I was going to order an outfit off Esty, but ran out of time so I made this one.  I do not have a sewing machine so I hand sewed it.  Considering that, I think it turned out cute.  I already had this shirt.  I blew up font of a 1 on my computer and traced it on paper and used as a template.  I put another piece of scrap fabric on the underside of the shirt and then pinned and sewed the 1 on the shirt.  For the bib, I used a bib we had and sewed the fabric on top of it.  First I sewed the 1 on the fabric and then the fabric to the bib.  I also sewed another 1 on fabric and made the hat.  Here is the hat tutorial: http://www.tinysproutphoto.com/blog/2010/09/01/diy-birthday-hat/
Tip for the shirt: http://sheisdallas.com/handmade-1st-birthday/ and http://www.mommybydaycrafterbynight.com/2011/08/1st-birthday-shirt.html

It was a great party!  Thank you to everyone who posted their parties and ideas for all my inspiration pages.  Here are some great parties I borrowed ideas from:

http://bubbleandsweet.blogspot.com/2010/10/cookie-and-babychino-2nd-birthday-party.html

http://www.ohmy-creative.com/parties/baby-shower/milk-and-cookies-baby-shower-follower-feature-2/

http://dimpleprints.blogspot.com/2010/08/sweet-cookie-and-milk-inspiration-board.html

http://imprintables.blogspot.com/2010/03/milk-and-cookies.html

http://www.lilsugar.com/Milk-Cookies-First-Birthday-Party-11462993?slide=1