On September 6th our third daughter turned one year old. I planned a little Party Animal party for her out here on the farm complete with a bounce house and the cutest custom cookies. All the details are below!


When it comes to planning these parties I always think it's going to be so minimal. Hardly any work...I tell myself. Why is this never the case?

To start things off, I created a little Party Animal Invitation that we sent out to all of Elli's nearest and dearest (ie. all our friends). And just like that, the theme was born.


Next on the list - We've been collecting these tiny animals since Kaye was a baby, so we have quite the group. All I had to do was make 12039 tiny cones and put little wool balls on top...and then, of course, hot glue them to each animal's head.

I also decided I wanted to try my hand at balloon garlands. I've been seeing them all over and I just knew if all these other people could do them...so could I. And friends - they are easier than they look! Just make sure you have a hand pump.

And just like that - Ba Da Cha - My minimalist party was complete! Not so fast. There were going to be a range of ages at this party with quite a few in the 3 - 7 age bracket, and let me tell you, nothing is better at a party than a giant bounce slide. It keeps the kids active and gives the parents a chance to eat all the party treats. Everyone wins! And while Elli wouldn't touch the bounce slide, she absolutely loved watching all the kids scream and laugh and have the very best time. If you're local to southern Idaho - grab yourself a bounce slide for your next event at Bouncin' Bins!


They have the best selection of wet and dry slides. You can get bounce houses and combos and there really are so many options I had a hard time deciding. The double slide ended up being a huge hit with our groups. You can get 10% off by using the code GIRLSTRAVELING.


Okay...NOW my party was complete. Invites - check. Bounce house - check. Balloon garland - check. Oh wait! What about those adorable custom cookies I've been seeing at so many parties lately? Elli neeeeeeeeds them! (Internal conversation I'm having with myself a week before the party.) So, because Elli obviously needed custom cookies I contacted a local Boise bakery that specializes in custom treats - One Haute Cookie, and they did NOT disappoint. I e-mailed them my idea and included a picture of Elli's invitation and within two days they had e-mailed me back with some sketches and ideas that were absolutely perfect. I can't brag on the ladies at One Haute Cookie enough! When I picked up the cookies I bought Sawyer and I each one for the road (mine was gluten free) and they were so soft and delicious I couldn't even believe it. Even better, friends, they ship! So, if you're in a different part of the state, or in California, or Nebraska...it doesn't matter. One Haute Cookie can be at your event.

Side note - I also used the cookies (that came individually wrapped) as party favors! I just attached a little tag to each one with some string. So easy!


So obviously, now that we have a bounce slide and custom cookies, the party is more than complete. No. That's never the case! One must make a smash cake and cakepops and floral arrangements and cupcakes and go to the grocery store 327 times and get out all the tables and chairs and tablecloths and...the list goes on.

And while I'm kind of hating myself in the moment of getting all the goodies and decorations pulled together...I'm NEVER mad at myself for planning a party for one of my best gals and inviting friends and family to the farm to celebrate. Never. It's worth it every single time.

The only snafu was watching the weather roll in that day. The forecast said 75 all week and even the day of. There was no mention of rain. Then the wind started blowing and sprinkles started falling. My heart sank. Everything I'd worked all morning on was getting wet. Everyone grabbed something and hauled it up our stairs to the kitchen. And just like that - my low maintenance outside party that I wasn't going to have to clean my house for...was an inside party. And as soon as we got everything moved inside...the sun came back out and it was the most beautiful day. Perfect 75 degree weather. Go figure.



All this to say - We had a wonderful day. I can say with confidence that even Elli had the best day of her life. She enjoyed all the attention and strutted around with her thighs out in her new sneakers like she owned the joint. Her smash cake was a big hit...even though there was minimal smashing and more so just dainty pokes and licks with her finger.
Will I be throwing another large party for Kaye and Sawyer in October? I say no now, but how can I shy away from more delicious cookies and a bounce house? Stay tuned - We'll see how our two week road trip goes that we leave for on SATURDAY! To say I'm nervous would be an understatement.

Party Details :

Bounce Slide - Bouncin' Bins
Custom Cookies - One Haute Cookie
Balloon Garland - Shop Sweet Lulu
Invitation - Wink & Ink Paperie
Flowers - Trader Joe's
More Pictures! A highlight of the party was this guy's little surprise. He shares a birthday with Elli, so naturally we threw some candles on a cake that was half eaten from Russell's birthday and let him go to town.