walk don't run, our new baby is turning one

 

"happy birthday to you!" -photo credit paul moreno

in my last post i talked about how quickly three years has gone by, with our sweet evia anese. now all of a sudden, our second baby girl, milena is turning one!! the saying that you hear so often, "the days are long, but the years are short" - is so true as a parent and i'm trying with all my might to slow down and take it all in. diegas constantly reminds me, that these love bugs of ours are not always going to want to put their head on our shoulders, hug us tight and give us a million kisses. two birthdays in one month, has mentally hit me hard. it's been a wake up call to walk through these days, weeks and months and try not to run: so many errands, chores, bills, appointments, (not to mention virtual socializing)...just the happenings of life....but looking at my little ones and taking a deep breath i am choosing to savor this moment in time.

this sentiment is what brought us to the idea of having a pony party for the girls. i want to live in the moment. evia has a thing for horses and i wanted to see my little girls faces as ponies walked into the backyard. i wanted to enjoy the giggles of the little guests at the party as they experienced a pony ride, perhaps for the first time! these were my objectives for their special day, but regardless of the activity, i wanted to just be present. we chose to keep it simple no elaborate food preparation, just cake and pony rides. i was able to relax, enjoy the company of our dear friends and family and spend time with my two favorite ladies. i couldn't have pulled it off, without some very important players. thank you marisa, emily, mama, lucille, rina, tina, christina of ponies and paints and my wonderful husband. someone told me the sun never came out that day...i didn't notice. 

the invitation

rainbow was the decor - so here are my colorful flower selection

getting to know eggnog and about to brush some locks!

riding eggnog - photo credit joe lee

cakes came out so funky looking, but redeemed themselves once on the cake plate

cake table: chocolate with (red) strawberries, carrot cake (orange), (yellow) banana cake, cheesecake with (green) kiwis, sponge cake with (blue)berries and peanut butter and grape jelly (purple) cake - all made with love by friends and family

party hats made by mama, rina and evia

favor bags, inside: small pony figurine, pony stickers and rainbow-colors travel paints

enjoying her selection

auntie love

mama and mila hanging with auntie emi

unicorn-pony

my girls

opening their joint gift from nana and grandpa, the day before

opening gifts together the following day

evia loving the generosity

making thank you cards, with the new horse stamp gift set - thank you beraldo's!