Holidays Parenting

August’s First Birthday Party

My little guy is one today, and we had a celebration for him over the weekend.






I made a buttermilk cake for August, and Eleanor helped. She was fascinated by the addition of food coloring! First we made the cake red, then added a little blue to show her how to make purple. I made a buttercream frosting for it too and tried to dye it red. It turned out neon pink and looked terrible! So I ran off to the store for some cream, and made chocolate whipped cream frosting instead. I used the neon frosting to write on top of the cake so it wasn’t a complete loss.





We had a bit of fun with one of August’s gifts.

The lion from great-grandmama was a big hit, along with a few other things.




It was such a good day.


Eleanor is annoyed by August sometimes, but it’s clear they love each other too.


Happy first birthday, little guy.

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  • pigeon pie
    February 8, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Such lovely photos and such a delicious looking cake!

  • Peppercorn Paprikash
    February 8, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Oh sweet mother that last picture is heartbreaking in its…whatever it’s called. Just utterly beautiful.
    And judge me if you will but I want your daughter’s dress for myself.
    As well, the blog design is lovely (this is the first time I’m seeing it, since I usually read your posts in google reader). Bravo!!

  • Rachel @ A Cupcake for Moose
    February 8, 2012 at 7:30 am

    What a great party and delightful photos! I love the one of your little August giving his lion kisses. What a beautiful family you have!

  • Meg @ This Weekend Life
    February 8, 2012 at 7:39 am

    Happy birthday to a fellow Aquarian! I love that you got a colour lesson in during cake making time, and that everyone looks so dapper.

    Congratulations!

  • Erin
    February 8, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Oh, the last picture of them together is just so sweet. Looks like a great party. My little guy is turning one this Saturday. Happy Birthday, August!

  • Melissa
    February 8, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Love the color of the cake – so fun!

  • spark
    February 8, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Must agree that last photo is a gem! What absolutely gorgeous children you have. I love that they are so clearly brother and sister. My girl is 1 tomorrow too!

  • Allison
    February 8, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Such a sweet party! LOVE the last photo. The love between siblings is amazing. But I absolutely adore Eleanor’s dress. I need it for my little girl….where did you get it???

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2012 at 11:14 am

      It’s from Gwen Stefani’s line for Target.

  • Callie Grayson
    February 8, 2012 at 8:13 am

    Sweet!
    Happy birthday to you little one
    Xx
    Callie

  • Emily
    February 8, 2012 at 8:16 am

    What a cute party. I love first birthdays and that first cake! My third little one is one in a couple of weeks time. Can’t wait.
    And I love love love the last photo. Sibling love is amazing x

  • kelly
    February 8, 2012 at 8:45 am

    Love that last photo. Very lovely indeed.

  • Melvel
    February 8, 2012 at 8:45 am

    I want August’s Breton shirt!

  • melanie
    February 8, 2012 at 8:49 am

    is he one already? wow! love the pictures!

  • Michael
    February 8, 2012 at 9:01 am

    What a beautiful party. You’re photography is stunning. I mean stunning!

    Thanks for taking the time to put this all together! I can’t imagine how long it took. It’s GREATLY appreciated. Just beautiful.

    And, i don’t think i’ve mentioned this before, but I adore the name August.

    Happy Birthday little guy!

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2012 at 11:15 am

      (I spent all day yesterday, editing photos!)

  • Kate
    February 8, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Happy Birthday August! What adorable children you have. Nice to see a shot of Murray in there too! How’s he handling having two little ones chasing him around all the time?

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2012 at 11:16 am

      He’s great, and very patient. Eleanor is gentle and sweet with him, but August still needs to learn how to treat him nicely. No pulling on ears, little guy!

  • emily/thesearethedays
    February 8, 2012 at 9:10 am

    August’s stripes are fantastic. I’m doomed to purchase only stripes for my little guy, I’m afraid. I love that you call him Gus. Such a nice name!

  • Alice
    February 8, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I can’t believe he’s one already! It looks like it was a great birthday; there is nothing like your mom making a cake for you. Love the last photo – it captures such a sweet moment.

  • Amanda
    February 8, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Was the cake good? Would you mind sharing the recipe?

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2012 at 11:17 am

      I’m going to share the recipe in a guest post I’m doing for another blog, so I’ll be sure to share once it’s up!

  • christine // darling studio
    February 8, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Oh my gosh, that last photo of them! So sweet. And your cake writing is quite impressive. xo

  • Monica
    February 8, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Happy Birthday August!! Looks like a fun party. That last photo is precious.

  • Danielle
    February 8, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I love the posts you do with lots of photos! These are great and told the story well. Looks like August had a great 1st birthday!

  • NicoleD
    February 8, 2012 at 10:34 am

    So sweet! Lovely photos and nice handwriting on the cake!

  • Riley
    February 8, 2012 at 10:34 am

    august sure looks like his daddy!! i’m glad you guys had such a great time!

  • Marianne
    February 8, 2012 at 10:37 am

    One already!! Time flies.. Congratulations!!!

  • Angel
    February 8, 2012 at 10:38 am

    So sweet. Happy Birthday to him! :)

  • Donaville
    February 8, 2012 at 10:40 am

    that last photo, so darling! wishing your littlest one the happiest of birthdays :)

  • Cecilia
    February 8, 2012 at 10:43 am

    this is too sweet! i love all the little details. happy birthday, august!

  • Sadhbh
    February 8, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Happy Birthday August. Looks like a great party! Your family is adorable. I love when siblings show their affection for each other. My twins (22 months) have just started to be randomly overly-affectionate with each other. They could be busy playing away on opposite sides of the room when suddenly one will just come over and grab the other – hugging so hard that they wrestle each other to the ground. It’s unbearably cute.

    Great post Nicole!

  • K
    February 8, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Aww, how sweet! They’re both so stinkin’ adorable I can’t even stand it!
    Happy birthday, August!

  • Little Gray Pixel
    February 8, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I love the way the cake turned out! I’m regretting not baking my own cake for my daughter’s first birthday. The cupcakes we ordered were OK, but they weren’t as good as my mom’s recipe for Chocolate Chocolate Cake.

  • Christina W.
    February 8, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Oh my goodness, the pics where he’s loving on his new lion friend are just precious. Eleanor’s dress and the cake are adorable, too! I hope I didn’t skip over it in the comments somewhere, but where did you find the cute tassel pillow? I can’t tell if it’s a pillow case on a bed pillow or just a kinda large throw pillow, but either way it had me at the tassels.

  • Emily
    February 8, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Happy Birthday, August! Looks like he had a wonderful 1st. My birthday is the 8th, too! :)

  • Lilly
    February 8, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Do you have a photography book you can recommend? Was the class you took online for very basic photography or you needed to have some knowledge?

  • jbhat
    February 8, 2012 at 11:36 am

    Gus! Love the nickname. Happy 1st birthday, kiddo, and congratulations to his mommy, dad and big sister on this wonderful milestone.

    jbhat

  • Miss B.
    February 8, 2012 at 11:45 am

    I am having heart palpitations how did one year pass so fast? WOW! He’s one! Happy Birthday August!!!

  • Annie
    February 8, 2012 at 11:54 am

    You have two of the most beautiful children!

  • Kelley
    February 8, 2012 at 11:56 am

    Oh, that last photo is amazing.

  • Tina
    February 8, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Happy Birthday Little Love! It has been so wonderful watching August’s first year and Eleanor this year also. My how they have grown so beautifully! There is no denying they are siblings xox. Darling photos of a most precious Milestone!
    Tina

  • Sasha
    February 8, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    You have the most adorable family! Looks like fun was had by all. Happy Birthday August!

  • Joy_UK
    February 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    One thing is certain: you and Brandon know how to make beautiful and adorable children! hehehe

    Party looks amazing, everything is just so authentic and different.
    Love it all!

  • Daniela
    February 8, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    your kids are adorable Nicole and i love the party decoration.

  • Daniela
    February 8, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    oh, i also love they way you dress your kids:)

  • Melissa
    February 8, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Happy Birthday, August! What a fun affair, it’s getting me really excited to get started on Felix’s birthday party. I’m absolutely in love with August’s little striped sweater. Where did you find it?

    • Making it Lovely
      February 8, 2012 at 1:33 pm

      It was from baby Gap, but I picked it up last year on clearance (and held on to it until it fit).

  • Rebecca @ beautiful square feet
    February 8, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Aw, happy birthday August! You all look like you had a lovely time. The pictures of August and Eleanor are so cute! Also, wanted to thank you as we picked up some Olivia books from the library yesterday on your recommendation, and Torin loves them!

  • Caroline
    February 8, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    So sweet! Your little dudes are super cute together.
    And August has really great facial expressions.

  • Melissa
    February 8, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    that last picture….love it!!! so,so,so precious! Happy birthday August!

  • Kristín
    February 8, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Congratulations! Such a sweet party :) my little guy is turning 1 on Valentine’s day.

  • Sarah van Loon
    February 8, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    I can’t believe it’s been a year already! Look how he’s grown! Wow. Congratulations on making it through the first year of having 2 kids, Nicole! Your party looked absolutely terrific and filled with love. :)

  • Carrie Hogan
    February 8, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    Where on earth did you find Elenors dress? IT is LOVELY! Happy Birthday August.

  • Carrie Hogan
    February 8, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Got my answer!

  • Allison
    February 8, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    Happy happy birthday August!!!!

  • I Heart Motherhood
    February 8, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    i’ve only really just found your blog, but what a beautiful post, the photos are gorgeous.

  • belinda
    February 8, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    ohh bless him. happy birthday little man! eek – that means miss immy will be turning one soon. in a month exactly, actually. she looks too small though!!!! glad you all had a great day! x

  • Kara
    February 8, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    The last picture of the two of them is so sweet.

  • kate
    February 8, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Adorable kids! And great photos!

  • kate
    February 8, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    I just wanted to add how much I like the new site- easy to navigate. The house tour is great!

  • Jody
    February 8, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    Happy birthday to August! Love the pictures!

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
    February 8, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    Happy Birthday August :)

    You all are a very beautiful family…

  • Jaden
    February 9, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Adorable! Also Eleanor’s dress is soooooo cute!! Where did you get that? Or did you make it…?!

    • Making it Lovely
      February 12, 2012 at 9:58 pm

      It’s from the Gwen Stefani line for Target.

  • Helen Carrillo
    February 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Happy Birthday August! <3 very sweet picts

  • Helen K-B
    February 9, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    Too cute! What a beautiful family.
    Happy Birthday to the little man! x

  • Jennifer
    February 10, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    So darling! Happy Birthday little man!

  • Starlet
    February 11, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Nicole! That last photo is priceless. Did you take all these beautiful shots yourself?

    • Making it Lovely
      February 12, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      Most of them, but that last photo was snapped by my sister. It needed a lot of editing, but I’m so glad to have the shot.

  • Jill Browning
    February 12, 2012 at 12:12 am

    That last picture is so sweet. And his cake was really cute too! :)

    • Jill Browning
      February 12, 2012 at 12:13 am

      And I really like how my name looks in this awesome font. It makes me feel fancy. ;)

  • Nicole RJ
    February 12, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Such sweet photos! And love the hearts everywhere! My little lady had her first b-day party a couple of weeks ago and I was loving all the heart shaped treats available courtesy of Valentine’s!

  • Silvi
    February 12, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Dear Nicole,

    I absolutely love your decorations.
    Would you mind posting a “how to” for the garlands?

    Thanks a lot!

    xoxo
    Sil

    • Making it Lovely
      February 12, 2012 at 10:00 pm

      Oh, they were easy! Just fishing line and tape. I’ll post another photo of them on Valentine’s Day.

  • Happy Valentine’s Day | Making it Lovely
    February 14, 2012 at 1:27 am

    […] Bookmark or Share 0 comments It is a coincidence that I decorated with hearts for August’s first birthday party last week. (I associate Eleanor with elephants, and August with hearts. Because I’m odd.) […]