Happy Birthday, Bailey Bug!

"This lucky little lady bug



has landed here to stay


To make my garden pretty


and keep the weeds away."


~ Author Unknown



 
 
We recently celebrated my niece Bailey's first birthday. Isn't she adorable? See yesterday's post for more details of her celebration
 
 
"Little red bug, oh so cute,



Here's a black spot for your suit."


~ Susan M. Paprocki


 

"Ladybugs all dressed in red



Strolling through the flowerbed.


If I were tiny just like you


I'd creep among the flowers too!"


~ Maria Fleming





 
 
"With a butterfly kiss and a ladybug hug, sleep tight little one like a bug in a rug." ~ Author Unknown

"Lovely little ladybug



sent from heaven above


please watch over my garden


and fill it up with love."


~ Author Unknown

Ladybug First Birthday Party

Ladybug, Ladybug, what do you see?
I see a birthday girl staring at me.


We recently celebrated my neice Bailey's first birthday with a ladybug themed backyard party at my father's house. I made Bailey's smash cake, pictured above.

Shana, my sister-in-law and Bailey's mom, made this sweet ladybug tutu. I will share more photos of this sweet little ladybug tomorrow!

Bailey's cupcakes were a tag-team effort between my sister and me. I baked and decorated the cupcakes, and Jennifer made the cupcake liners and toppers. (Find her Polka Dot Party ladybug toppers here.)

Nathan and Shana's friend Sarah painted faces in the back yard.





Emma was all smiles to get a ladybug on her cheek.

A simple menu of hamburgers and hot dogs, fruit and chips was perfect for this casual summer gathering. The weather was perfect for sitting outside with a slice of watermelon. Jennifer made the water bottle labels, available here.

Above, Shana cuts the cake. Shana served a red velvet sheet cake from Publix alongside the cupcakes. Shana made her headband, along with Bailey's tutu and daughter Kadence's pillowcase dress. You can find Shana's handmade products at Little Bit Designs.

Love is Grand: D-Dad shares a slice of cake with Jennifer's son, Jonathan.

There were about as many shutter bugs as ladybugs at Bailey's party. Above, Kadence gets a few  pointers from her photographer daddy, Nathan.

Here are a few of the ladybugs who stopped in for the party.

The boy cousins light at the ladybug table.

While the girl cousins take flight.

Mary Ashley loved spending time with Kadence.

Caitlin loved the face painting ... and arm painting ... and hand painting ... .

A rare sight: all nine of my dad's grandchildren in one frame!


Shana definitely earned her ladybug wings on this party. We enjoyed wonderful family time during this rare opportunity to be together. Tomorrow, more photos of the birthday girl! 

Garden Sisters

"I never had any other desire so strong,
and so like covetousness,
as that one which I have had always,
that I might be master at last
of a small house
and a large
Garden."

~ Abraham Cowley, The Garden, 1666

A garden path is always brighter with your sister by your side.

On Jasmine Hill

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside." ~ Maud Hart Lovelace

"Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~ Henry James