A Practically Perfect Mary Poppins Birthday

When my kids are little, and don’t care much about birthdays, I let my imagination go on the theme.

Admittedly, it wasn’t until baby number five came along that I even put a ton of effort into the first birthday. That kid was a preemie and I wanted to rent out the freaking convention center when he hit the O-N-E mark.

For Gianna, there was so much healing and so much joy that I couldn’t help myself. One afternoon, I was scrolling through Pinterest and saw the infamous, “Let’s go fly a kite” quote from the movie, Mary Poppins. Bingo. Or, rather, spit spot. Boy did I have fun pinning.

A theme was born. And really, we all think Gianna is practically perfect anyway.

Her birthday was largely low-key. Her Godfather was cramming for priestly finals. Ordination is in four short weeks and one grandmother had just been in town for Clare’s First Communion. So, we had my parents over and the Godmother and her family and just chilled for a few hours.

It was quite lovely. Enjoy the details. Hope you squeal as much as I did.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Who doesn’t love Bert? Those chimney sweeps were a huge hit. Just marshmallows on a lollipop stick, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with black sugar. I used unsweetened chocolate, but I think they might be a bit sweeter with the sweetened kind. That “1” was just cocktail umbrellas, spraypainted black, and pushed into foam core. The ruler washi tape around those white frames juuuust might be my absolute favorite part. If you don’t have an IKEA near you, phone a friend. Those frames have become my go-to party item. You might remember seeing them gussied up for First Communion or plain jane at the Relaxing Spa Birthday.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Can we just admire the handiwork of those cookies for a moment?

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

I’ll wait.

As delicious as they look, too.

Umbrellas were made with Babybel cheese (Gianna’s new favorite!) and black bendy straws. The jell-o clouds were super simple. Jell-o, whipped cream and black umbrellas.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

But, my favorite?

The spoon fulls of sugar! That would be a little cookie butter, dipped in sweetened baker’s chocolate and sprinkled with large crystal sugar. I let them sit out for about an hour and then froze them for 15 minutes. I’m still sneaking some out of the freezer. Shhhh, don’t tell the kids.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Then, there were those cupcakes. Also known as delicious.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

That table, in all it’s glory. What I love most is that DIY banner. John Paul was the mastermind behind it. I am SO bad with math and he figured out how to cut triangles from squares. While he cut and measured, I traced the letters, he glued them on and then we hung it up. He was so proud of that sign. I think I just found a new party helper.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

The favors were super simple since they were really for my kids and the Godmother’s sweet children. I neglected to take a photo of the inside, but I just tied sidewalk chalk I purchased from Amazon in cellophane bags and tied with twine. I popped it in a sack, affixed the “Thanks for Poppin over” label and called it done. Super easy and always functional.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

The outfit. I know. Those baby Toms kill. Thanks Zulily!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

As for that smash cake. We were just sure Gianna would love it.

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!Um, that’s a no.

Well, at least she looked cute before diving in!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

I’d say she’s pretty loved, wouldn’t you?

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

Looking for the perfect birthday theme for your one-year-old daughter? Enter Mary Poppins! This lovely party includes party food, simple DIY decor and crafts, party favors, invitation printables and a shirt that's simply spit spot. You'll wink, do a double blink and fall right back in love with Mary Poppins!

If I left anything out you want to know, post it in the comments!

For more parties, click on over Parties page. I think this makes 48  kid birthdays – and counting.

Vendor Credits
Cookies/Smash Cake/Cupcakes: Polkadots
Mary Poppins Art: Collective Creation
Printables: Me!
White Frames: IKEA
Ruler washi tape: Amazon
Black parasols/White Sixtlets: Party City
Table: Style Co. Events
Red Stand: Pottery Barn
Black Stand: Amazon
Ribbon/Grey straws: Michael’s
Black straws (for umbrellas): Amazon
Wooden spoons: Amazon
Plastic milk bottles: The TomKat Studio
Carpet bag: My sweet neighbor!
Practically Perfect tee: Happily Ever Tees

15 Comments

  1. Nicole on May 7, 2015 at 8:40 am

    I think I have been most excited to see the details from your last two parties (Communion and Mary Poppins). And you have totally delivered! Those frames might be my favorite DIY decoration and I am loving the spoonfuls of sugar (cookie butter and chocolate – hello!). The family picture at the end is adorable the way you are all lined up and can still see the table. Well done, mama!

  2. verdina on May 7, 2015 at 8:59 am

    OMG! Your kids are so blessed to have you as their Mother! Once again, you are amazing!
    Happy birthday, sweet Gianna!

  3. Amy Salisbury on May 7, 2015 at 9:10 am

    ive been looking forward to these pictures, such an adorable girl and the perfect party for her!! You are so creative Kathryn!

  4. Susan on May 7, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Oh, Kathryn, this is my favorite party yet! As major Mary Poppins fans here, we are all in awe of your creativity (yes, I had to show the boys the pics!). What a great memory for all of you!

    • Kathryn on May 16, 2015 at 10:50 pm

      It was such a beautiful day.

  5. Erin on May 7, 2015 at 10:32 am

    Very cute! Those spoons look addicting. My first didn’t like her cake either and opted for smushed peas instead. 🙂 Happy Birthday, Gianna.

  6. Lisa on May 7, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Um, cutest party and most perfect theme ever, Kathryn! I esp. love the wink, double blink sign. 🙂

    • Kathryn on May 16, 2015 at 10:50 pm

      Aww, thank you!

  7. Francine on May 7, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    This is SO cute! I love all the fun details!

  8. Pamela A on May 7, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    Gorgeous party for a gorgeous girl! Question – What is cookie butter? How do I not know about it?

    • Kathryn on May 16, 2015 at 10:49 pm

      It is from Trader Joe’s and a cross between peanut butter and cookie dough. Heaven!

  9. Katie on May 8, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    I want to be a fly on the wall at one of your parties. How lucky are your guests. Our parties consist of my not so great attempts at a cake, food, and if my guests are lucky, a clean house!

  10. kristie on March 3, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    I think your party is absolutely perfect! Such a great theme!! And a darling daughter

    • Kathryn on March 21, 2016 at 9:05 am

      Thank you, it was one of my absolute favorites!

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