Monday, July 23, 2012

garden party

In between rain showers the sun stayed out long enough for us to enjoy home made pizzas, pumpkin soup and cheese muffins. In Mama and Popa's garden we gathered to celebrate Poet's first birthday and while she was a little overwhelmed to begin with, it didn't take her long to fall in love with balloons, pizza crusts and gift wrap.

We've only ever had a few parties for Che but I think I've learnt my lesson when it comes to organising birthday celebrations. Children are happy to be together. End of story. They don't need fancy tables laden with gourmet food, they don't require perfect decorations and they most definitely do not need a plethora of planned games. 

Together with family and friends we ate and drank and talked about vegie gardens and babies and school next year and how it all goes by so fast. At our feet children played with the Grandparent's stack of toys, the little red wagon and new giant bubble blowers.

When the rain fell we bundled inside to watch the birthday girl blow out her candle. We drank tea, ate my all time favourite birthday cake (the jam and cream sponge from Falling Cloudberries) and unwrapped special gifts.

It was simple and beautiful - just perfect for little Poet. 

thanks so much to virginia from lovely little parties who sent Poet some pretty flower garlands, tissue poms poms and cake decorations. Colourful and happy and just right for our garden party. 


51 COMMENTS

  1. What a perfect day and gorgeous happy photos. Love the rustic vibe :)

    (and she really does wear that top knot SO well!)

    x

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  2. It sounds like a relaxing time, the perfect way to celebrate a first birthday. That pizza looks delicious and bubbles are the most fun for little ones and big ones too:) x

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  3. aaaaaawwwwwwww what gorgeous celebration Jodes! i love love love all the photos!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoo

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  4. Such a perfect day. It's been such a joy watching Poet's first year :)
    x

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  5. Yum, pizza and soup, sounds & looks beautiful. Happy one year to you all. X

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  7. Looks like a lovely, heartwarming celebration. A day to remember!

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  8. A perfect way to celebrate such a lovely day! It is all too easy to get caught up in the hype of birthday parties and plan something bigger than Ben Hur that untimately becomes stressful and not so very much about the little birthday person anymore. Bubbles, pizza and strawberry sponge. SOunds magnificent! Your post about Poet's birthday shopping really resonated with me too. That little a saying, "Something I want...." has become a catch cry here. Thanks for sharing such a special day :)

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  9. Happy birthday beautiful Poet! She is such a treasure. And I agree, keep it simple x

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  10. Just gorgeous, looks like a perfect day.

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  11. Happy Birthday sweet Poet! Looks perfect x

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  12. The party looks divine! I do have to disagree about the games, though. A rousing game of What's the time Mr. Wolf never fails to get me in the par-tay mood.

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    1. Oh I do love a game or two....just not a heap! Che is already talking about his birthday and has requested pin the tail on the donkey and a treasure hunt. He'll be five in September...five!

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    2. Oh my. I see my night shift brain confused the meaning. Sorry Jodi. Hope the fifth party is a ripper. Five is so big. Five is school. Five is grand.

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    3. apparently five deserves 50 hundred million attendees too! My limit is 10 - I think that's fair.

      Oh night shift...I don't know how you do it x

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  13. looks like it was the perfect birthday party, I agree that simple is the best! Happy birthday to Poet again!

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  14. This looks EXACTLY like my idea of the perfect kid party. Simple, lots of love, and great food! Happy Birthday little Poet. Gorgeous little party Jodi. xx

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  15. Happy Birthday gorgeous Poet.

    Your party style reflects mine. Though usually sam get's all distressed that there is no luridly decorated cake and 'party' food.

    Looks like you had the sweetest day for your girl.

    rachel xo

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  16. What a gorgeous outdoor party for a gorgeous one girl - still no cute party hat though! Happy birthday Poet

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  17. Inspiring, thank you for reminding us that simple is best :)

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  18. Lovely photos to remember Poet's very special Birthday. x

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  19. That sounds like a perfect party to me.
    Pizza and soup and being together - love it!x

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  20. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind.

    Albert Einstein


    Jodi- what a wonderful, wonderful garden party. Simply perfect.

    Lena x

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  21. oooh look, there's my little lady baby! It was a lovely celebration - thanks for having us!

    xo em

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    1. I thought I spotted your little lady up there :)

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  22. Thank you for showing the perfect simplicity of a child's birthday. This is how I remember celebrating- It seems now these celebrations are overdone and ranked by who can have the best garlands and games, the most elaborately decorated cake and colour schemed day.
    I love how happy Poet looks, surrounded by those who love and adore her. Happy first birthday Poe Poe!
    - Caitlin Tischhauser x

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  23. Happy 1st birthday Poet...may you be blessed with many happy birthdays to come. The photos are a true 'picture' of a beautiful family gathering.

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  24. I love this - it's exactly what a birthday party should be! And how I remember them as a child. The photo of you with Poet is gorgeous! x

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  25. A perfect bunch of gorgeousness :) Happy 1st Birthday sweet little Poet!
    x

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  26. Those photos rock :-)
    Happy birthday Poet, you have a wonderful family and two very talented and sweet parents!
    Ps: the pizza looks yummy!!
    Hugs from Italy,
    Daniela

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  27. so simple and perfect. love it. the best ways for parties (and life) to be.

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  28. That pizza looks delish! Happy 1st little poet <3
    x

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  29. Oh I love these photos Jodi, what a beautiful celebration... all those gorgeous wide-eyed faces. You are so right, why complicate something so wonderfully simple, as a birthday for a little baby. Looks like your delightful Poet enjoyed her day. Bless xoxo

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  30. lovely photos and very well said! children just want family and a little extra attention on those special days. they certainly don't need the silly games and over the top decorations. althoug my crafty side sometimes get's the best of me with the decorations ;)

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  31. BEAUTIFUL Jodi! Happy birthday to the little bird! I totally agree! Parties are for children and ... I'm sure they (and you) spent an unforgettable time!
    xx

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  32. Beautiful, evocative images - everyone looks so happy, and I can almost smell those herbs. All my favourite blogs have a post about a birthday party at the moment. I just wrote one about my 5 year old's party - we lost our preferred venue and had to move to another, but it didn't matter a jot. The kids were just happy to be there with their friends and family being centre of attention!

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  33. Beautiful Jodi! Everything looks great, I am glad all of you had a lovely and wonderful time. X

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  34. it was a lovely little party jodi, so glad we could join you to celebrate.xx p.s, how cute are all those kids!

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  35. beautiful photos! the last image is divine... great moment captured. what a sweet party too. x

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  36. I learnt all of this AFTER Max's first birthday :)

    Silly mama ;)

    Happy birthday little Poet!

    Your family love you so dearly x

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  37. Gorgeous party. We're coming uyp to one for George too - bittersweet isn't it? Happy birthday beautiful Po Po xxx

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  38. It really looks like the loveliest day. I totally agree on the party front, children need no 'flash' as long as they have each other. Happy belated birthday to your little one!

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  39. Happy 1st birthday to the little lady. What a delightful party. Just perfect. xx

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  40. happy birthday to your little one, she can do such a sweet pucker. happy times.
    xx
    jill

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  41. Beautiful photos of a beautiful day. xx

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  42. It looks absolutely perfect (& I'd like a slice of that pizza, please). Kellie xx

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  43. I love Tessa Kiros-- I have her Apples for Jam book which is categorized by color -- I'm gonna have to get the Cloudberry one too-- the cake looks so lovely

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  44. Great party and the Pizza always goes down well.

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  45. Looks lovely to me. Glad you all enjoyed a special day, the way you did. Cassie x

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