birthdays galore!!!  it’s a busy month, this april o’ mine!

carol + famille flew in from florida {on vacay} to chicago, to host mackenzie’s first birthday party!  it was, conventionally for them, a whirlwind weekend!  after throwing her birthday fete, they then flew back home to seattle!  bananas!

carol and i partnered, cross country, and commenced our crafty craziness together!  we sent supplies to one another, we collaborated on ideas, we text, we emailed, and telephoned each other until all our creative ideas were complete!  we were so excited upon the finish of all our decor!  it was going to be so cute!

my day started early, as i debated on which mass to attend this past sunday…if i went to the 8am mass, i would have the rest of the day after the party.  if i went to the 7pm mass…i could sleep in…hmmm, decisions, decisions.  i actually went to the 8am mass!  gasp!  it definitely turned out for the better!

i was on a mission to get macarons after mass.  i heard that floriole was a great place for delicious macarons!  perfect, it was in lincoln park and a few minutes from church.  i pulled up and ran inside, i looked at their case and noticed there were no macarons!  what?!  i asked the employee behind the counter and he said no macarons today {what the?!}.  anyhoo, i needed breakfast so i ordered a pelligrino and a blueberry croissant.  um, it was so stinkin’ good!!!!!

so, there i went to alliance bakery to pick up some macarons, i know they always have fresh ones!  two dozen macarons later, i was on my merry way to lake forest!

carol and i scurried around to decorate and set up.  ted cleaned up mackenzie and put her in the cutest birthday outfit!  an hour later, we were set, and the first guests started to arrive!  yay!

it was so splendid to see everyone and convene for such a happy event {and loud…thirty people and kids couldn’t get any louder!!}!  all the kiddos were super happy {pizza and cake!  no arguments there!} and all the grown kiddos had plenty of grub and drinks in hand.  it was a success!

[purty sign carol made for the front door]

[cute birthday girl // look at that pout!]

[favors + bunting]

[birthday banner]

[me + carol]

[bunting .. kiddy treats .. lanterns]

[birthday smash cake!]

[macarons]

[cupcakes + flags]

[delicious dessert table]

[guest sign in book // inside a cute children’s book // i was quite proud of my rhyme]

[jaime + me]

[jaime, mackenzie .. look at that smile!, + pam]

[kisses]

[me + marina]

[birthday present time!]

[already a fashionista!]

[i’m ready for some sunshine]

[cake time!]

[toooooooo cute!]

[oh my]

[the beautiful family .. minus travis]

such a grand ole time with johnson’s!  thank you to ted’s parents for hosting us at their beautiful house!  thank you to carol + ted for a wonderful party.  we will miss you guys.  here’s my usual mantra for you both….MOVE BACK TO CHICAGO!

xoxo