With my daughters second birthday quickly approaching I wanted to take a moment and let you take a peek at what was her 1st birthday party. 

Traditionally, with many Hispanic families especially Dominicans, the 1st birthday party tends be a grand event filled with many invitees, liquor and loud music.

Apart from budget constraints, I nixed the whole "my super sweet 1st birthday party" and went with a small intimate child friendly event.

I wanted the children to enjoy themselves and most importantly I wanted my daughter to be awake interacting with everyone and exploring all the details of her birthday.  

For Naliya's 1st Birthday last year, I decided I wanted to go with a ladybug theme. I am not exactly too sure why I wanted a ladybug theme but I figured it would be super cute.

I suppose that was the only birthday I was able to choose considering this year we are going with an Elmo theme. She has this new found love for Elmo, I love how excited she gets when she sees him.

I purchased all of the decor and party supplies from Etsy, Amazon, Shindigz, Michael's and Tiny Princess Bowtique

Each child received a ladybug box to put their piñata candies in as well as ladybug antennas instead of a party hat. We also blew bubbles and applied temporary ladybug tattoos. 

I used red and black tulle to dress up the rental chairs a bit and a green foil ballon weight with stars as the center piece for the tables.

I bought her cake at Costco, I requested the color theme for the flowers. The foam ladybugs and pipe cleaners I made squiggly were from Michael's. Her cake topper was from an Etsy seller also made of foam.  

I prepared party favorites such as tatter tots, mac and cheese, pig in a blanket, nuttella cups and sandwiches, pb&j and meatballs. Thank God for Costco! 

I used ribbon, ballon ribbon, streamers, wall decals and DIY'd some ladybugs to decorate the space, which at the time was the local for my store.

Below are a few pictures. Hope you enjoy my ideas!