Senior Recognition Luau

Two days after Quinn's party, was our Senior Recognition Luau for the graduating seniors in the youth group. Some of the students had requested a luau months ago and a few other ladies and I had a lot of fun getting all the stuff together and planning it all out. The students threw out the idea of having a pig with an apple in its mouth. We thought that a bit outlandish. We also had a good amount of vegetarians invited and I didn't want to repulse them ;) While looking through pinterest for luau ideas I stumbled upon a pig with an apple in its mouth, that was a cake. He was so cute. I had to have him. I went around to a few bakeries getting prices. They were around 200-400 bucks for a cake that would only feed 30 people. I said no thank you/nevermind/are you kidding me??? and left. Plan B. Make it ourselves. I don't do fondant. I don't do decorating cakes of any kind. But alas, we pulled it off. It only took us doing a prototype a few weeks before, and the pig going from house to house to get all the pieces complete. But like I said, I had to have him. 

So here is the inspiration. The picture I found on pinterest. My friend Leigh and I sculpted one a few weeks before the party to make sure we could pull off the shape. It worked! A couple days before the luau Leigh made another one and we gave him to our friend Tracy who iced him. It took her 4 HOURS! (Do you like how Im calling him "him"??? We even named him. I can't remember his name though)

Tracy delivered him to the party and I dressed him up in his lei, kale, grapes, and other fruits. 

I just think its hilarious...

I also made some cupcakes. If you like fruity cupcakes you must try these. Here is the recipe for the Aloha Cupcakes 

We made a little photo booth and had props. The guests had fun taking goofy pictures. 

and so did Kennedy (she calls that a luka-lay-lee)

The Seniors

We did have pig to eat for dinner as well. And all the fixin's. 

and a fun little Make your own Kabob station.

Now I'm partied OUT. But it was so great to get to work with so many great volunteers to put this together. Congrats 2012 graduates

Quinn is 1

To say it has been a while is an understatement. My word. But here I am blogging. This is the run down of all the details of Quinn's first birthday party to give those who have been asking the links and inside on where I got everything, etc. Let me just say, I had a BLAST throwing this shin dig together. I love burlap, I love mason jars, I love southern food, and I LOVE Quinn =) Obviously.

I knew I wanted Quinn to have a bar b Q, since she is my little baby Q. Get it??? Ha! I love all the elements that made this the southern backyard BBQ that it was. I began with the idea of just burlap and lace, but quickly added color because well, I always like color.

I have a lot of pictures ahead so be warned. The only pictures I don't have is of the IBC root beer in the tub, which the galvanized tubs are a fave of mine right now, and the other missing picture is that of me and my mother holding the canopy up when a psychotic storm blew through right at party time. It was hectic, but Im sure we looked hilarious holding up a tent with torrential down pour and gusting winds on the attack. Woah. That also made decorating outside and setting up like I had planned, difficult, so this was plan B. I was still satisfied with the turn out even though it wasn't the exact plan.

I wanted to make a little pennant banner and when I went to Joann's to get supplies, I saw the fabric my friend Christi used to make my hospital gown I wore the day I had Quinn. I thought it was so neat and had to incorporate it in the decorations. Its the aqua one =)

The little berry baskets were the baskets my strawberries came in at our local berry patch. I saved them bc I thought they were cute, but I have seen them online places for purchase.


S'more pops. These are a have of mine. A couple years ago I created this one night when I wanted something sweet. Now I love making them in bulk for camp out nights and parties. So easy and delicious.

Banana puddings. I ordered the spoons on Amazon. $7 for 100. We had wooden forks too. People joked about getting splinters, but from what I know, no one had any problems =)

Peanut cones. I love salted shell peanuts.

Big sister Kennedy helped me make her birthday cake. I thought it was so sweet. I just now remember making a cake with Kennedy the night before I had Quinn. It was so neat to be doing it together again a year later, for her special first birthday.

I got the banana pudding jars, and drink jars at Walmart. I had a few from a long time ago so I stocked up on a couple extra cases. Good to have for parties, and if I ever get tired of using them, I'll just can stuff!

I used the Q from Quinn's nursery to complete the Bar B Q sign. Again, the outside didn't go off like I planned due to what we will call inclement weather, but it worked I suppose. The menu included shredded BBQ chicken, Mac n cheese, Corn on the cob, hot dogs for the kids, and cheddar biscuits.

Those little chalkboard signs were $1 in the Target dollar section. I stocked up bc I love me some chalkboard. The paper straws are from The Polka Dot Market. A friend of mine recently told me she saw paper straws at Kirklands. Random place, but apparently they carry a couple different colors.

Aren't daisies just a happy flower...

I seriously loved the drink jars. The combo of mason jars, with fun straws, and name tags tied with bakers twine, was just my cup of tea =) tea! ha! Im cracking myself up today. Can you tell?!?!

Happy Birthday sweet Quinn. I can't believe this year has already come and gone. It flew by, yet I can't remember life before. You are our little sunshine and we love you!