Party Progress

We have SO MUCH to finish before Ellie's birthday party.  I wish we could tackle large projects, like the painting the outside of the house, etc.  There is no way that will happen in time, but I'm trying to tic away at my long list.

So far I have created and mailed invitations, made the pink fondant for cupcakes, found a dairy-free cake recipe for the smash cake, and made a practice pom pom to hang from the chandelier.  I spent the weekend getting caught up on chores around the house so that I could focus on the party details and accommodations for our out of town guests over the next few weeks.  I deep-cleaned and organized the master bedroom, cleaned out the closets in the guest room, deep-cleaned the nursery, vacuumed the whole house, got caught-up on laundry, dusted the whole house, gave the dog a bath and brushed out his winter coat four times, went grocery shopping, painted the mat board of a print we love and don't want to replace, started cleaning out the garage, and removed all of the large, overgrown bushes from the front flower beds.

Here's what I have left to do:

• make green fondant for cupcakes
• print labels for favors
• touch-up paint on dining room walls
• weed and mulch front flower beds
• weed the path from the driveway to the front door
• clean out the gutters
• trim bushes in the backyard
• finish cleaning out the garage
• paint hallway and trim
• paint living room and trim
• hang molding between living room and dining room
• paint back of front door
• wash living room drapes
• wash living room wall of windows
• pressure wash exterior of house
• fix trim on kitchen island
• mop kitchen floor
• clean living room carpet
• clean blinds (drop in bucket of bleach and water)
• sew table runner
• sew living room pillow covers
• DUST!
• give dog haircut to cut down on shedding
• rearrange living room furniture

So much to do!  But the party is going to be adorable.  Here are some fun details that are in-the-making.

 

favors for the kids: elephant banks (image from thisnext.com)

elephant table runners (images from fabric.com)

 

favors for everyone: personalized lollipops

 

fondant cake topper (image from etsy)

 

cupcake toppers (image from etsy)

And since I'm not a caterer and CAN'T be on time with food EVER, we will be serving pizza as the main dish.  Planning a fun party takes my mind of the depressing fact that my baby girl is going to be ONE!  I'll check in next Monday after what I'm sure will be another productive weekend.