Birthday Weekend

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – My birthday is my favorite day of the year!  I just have so many fond memories playing outside, having fun pool parties and enjoying all things summer every year on my birthday!  It is nearly impossible to top the feeling I get every year!  I don’t care if I am getting older, I am just happy I am here and have so many loved ones to celebrate with me!

I know I love every birthday, but this one was extra special!

My sister, Kristin, has bounced around country to country, living in New Zealand, Canada and is currently residing in Ireland.  It has been 6 years since she has been home to celebrate either of our birthdays.  (Mine being July 29th and hers August 4th) But she made it this year!!  I have forgotten how much fun it was to have her around to help celebrate!  My heart is so happy!

Saturday: The Fruit Party

I have been saying all summer that this is the “fruit-themed summer”.  I have shared multiple posts such as, the DIY fruit planters, fruit themed attire, and my DIY watermelon piñata all in preparation for this party!  But the thing is, Kristin had no idea!!  My mom and I planned a Welcome Home/Happy Birthday party months ago when we found out she was coming home!  She loved the sweet surprise!

We invited all her closest friends and family to come and celebrate with us, and it turned out to be a perfect day!

Is there a better way to start your day than a balloon photo shoot?!  I don’t think there is!

I created this piñata just for the party!  Though it was so hard to see my “masterpiece” smashed to pieces, it was so much fun to watch all the kiddos have fun with my piñata!  And yes, we had to use a bat to bust it open because it was so well constructed that it would not break! 😉  To see the look on their faces when it finally busted open spilling out all the candy was priceless!  But that wasn’t the only thing special in the piñata…

Neatly hidden inside the wrapping of chocolate, we placed a little letter for my Dad and Sister.  I like to consider myself the “queen of surprises”, so when I found out that Kristin was coming home my mom and I didn’t just plan a surprise party, we planned a surprise family vacation!  We have not been on a family vacation in years, so we really wanted to make her visit here special this time!  My dad is awful at surprises, and if we would have told him about the trip he would have eventually spilled the beans… so it was a surprise for him as well! lol

But it worked!  They were both surprised!  So, this Friday we will be on our way to Arizona!!

 

Sunday: My Birthday

It’s become a tradition that every year for my birthday I go to Ault Park in Cincinnati and have a picnic.  Why not dress up and make a photoshoot out of it?!  In true Kaitlin-fashion the whole day was rainbow themed!

I have wanted a charcuterie picnic for some time now, so I figured why not on my birthday?!  We prepared the board with:

• Cheeses- Brie, smoked Gouda and sharp cheddar.
• Meats- Prosciutto, salami and pepperoni.
• Fruits- Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
• Preserves- Fig and Tangerine Fig spread.
• Bread- Crisp garlic buttered baguette.

 

I could not be happier that Kristin is home and I was able to share the day with her!  When she is gone I feel like part of me is missing, so this is one of the first birthdays in a long time where I have felt complete. ❤

Photography by Auburn Artisan

After the picnic we spent the rest of the day playing board games at The Rook, walking around Smale Park and eating dinner at Yard House in downtown Cincinnati.  When we got back to my apartment we fell asleep watching Coco.  A perfect end to a perfect day!

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Thank you everyone for all the birthday wishes!  Cannot wait to continue to celebrate in Arizona!