This weekend our deck was full of people we love, gathered to celebrate our four-year-old. It was wonderful to have so much connected outdoor space for a party—the sunroom-turned-veranda and the large deck that overlooks the grassy backyard made the flow feel effortless compared with the last house where guests were scattered between rooms and a two-tiered patio. Since our previous home hosted all of Clara’s birthdays so far (her first, second and third), it felt both strange and special to celebrate her first big birthday here. The most important thing: she had a blast.
We usually post party prep before the event where we share details like invitations, but this time we combined everything into one full rundown. The invitation we sent out reflected Clara’s initial vision: “all full of pink and gold everything… with glitter.”
The theme quickly expanded beyond pink and gold. Clara’s description evolved into a joyful list of her favorite things—flamingos, fairies, princesses, LEGO, flowers, cupcakes, Pez, castles, polka dots, treasure, bubbles and water—so we shortened it to her “pink and gold everything party.” Embracing all of her interests made decorating fun and personal.
We pulled out items from past parties—paper lanterns and floral tablecloths—and added a few new touches like dollar-store flamingos, gold tinsel as a shiny table runner, and polka-dotted balloons. The mix of thrifted, dollar-store and store-bought details kept the look cohesive without feeling overdone.
To add seating in the still-empty former sunroom, we used a pedestal table and wicker dining chairs that double as outdoor seating. For the kids we set up activity zones: two water tables (one borrowed from Grammy and Tom-Tom), toys, plenty of bubble wands, and a sprinkler on the lawn. These stations kept children entertained while adults mingled nearby.
The weather cooperated perfectly—sunny and warm for water play, but comfortably cool in the shade. We didn’t even need to run the fans.
Food stayed casual and kid-friendly: watermelon, chicken nuggets, sliced peppers, caramel corn, chips & salsa, and a few pizzas for the grown-ups. We also used grocery-store blooms and gold mason jars filled with pink and gold Twizzlers to add color to the food table.
Dollar-store flamingo glasses and chocolate coins disappeared fast—most treats were nearly gone before pizza was touched. We also found flamingo stick balloons that we poked into potted ferns; the kids loved them and many asked to take them home at the end.
The highlight were the cupcakes made by our friend Justine. After offering to bring a meal when Teddy was born, she surprised us with elaborate cupcakes for the party. She leaned into Clara’s eclectic theme, creating toppers that included “Fairy Clara” with a glittery winged body, LEGO heads, and a pink glittered castle. When they came out there was an audible “oooh!” from the crowd.
When we later asked Clara to name her five favorite parts of the party, the very first thing she said was “MY CUPCAKES!” (followed, oddly, by “when Sam hit me in the face with the beach ball”).
About a dozen kids and twenty adults spent the first half of the party on the deck playing with the water tables. Later, many of the kids migrated to the grass to enjoy the sprinkler and bubbles. We started with a small bubble blower and then John produced a giant bubble maker that amazed everyone—until a few kids managed to create even larger bubbles right away.
The sprinkler play was adorable—kids using various cups and containers to fill and pour water—while the water tables provided a steady source of entertainment. Having activity stations let adults chat nearby while keeping kids safely in view.
Teddy stayed out of the water play but charmed plenty of guests. John’s mom wore a flamingo headband and fully committed to the theme—love that kind of party spirit.
Favors were simple: Pez dispensers from the dollar store and small pink-and-gold containers from Target filled with treats. We also bought a pinata and, after nearly forgetting about it, brought it out for the crowd that lingered. After many swings it finally burst and kids scrambled for candy.
We also managed to take a family photo—rare for us since someone is usually behind the camera. This one was extra special: the first photo of all four of us together. It’s moments like that—kids running on the lawn, friends on the deck—that make a house feel truly lived-in, even if the laundry piles remain.
Can we pause to appreciate little Teddy? He’s sweet enough to eat—metaphorically speaking—and Clara looked so grown up in John’s arms that it made me realize how quickly time passes. Have you hosted gatherings that helped a new house finally feel like home? For us, this party was the moment this place truly felt broken in: the laughter, the running kids, and all the people we love gathered together made the day unforgettable.