I picked up three helium balloons for my daughter and son-in-law’s baby shower for a total of $3 at Dollar Tree in Faribault.
THE PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS flew in from California. The aunt drove 300 miles from eastern Wisconsin. A great aunt traveled from western Minnesota, near the South Dakota border.
I created this baby banner from construction paper, shiny paper letters, animals shapes and polka dot ribbon, then strung it across my living room window.
They gathered with 13 other guests (three of whom are pregnant) and three baby girls to celebrate the anticipated arrival of my first grandchild in less than two months.
Family from across the country shipped baby gifts to my home prior to the shower. I started stacking them, along with party supplies, in my daughters’ former bedroom.
I’d been planning this party, this baby shower, for months for my eldest daughter, Amber, and her husband, Marc. It was perfect. In every way.
Guests created personalized onesies using stamps, stencils, paint and permanent markers.
From the food to the conversation, art project, games and, yes, even the weather, the day proved lovely.
I purchased these napkins at Party Plus in Owatonna.
Guests loved the cute mini elephant roll-out cookies I made and sprinkled with pastel sugars. I borrowed the cookie cutter from a friend.
Beanie Babies were big when the mom-to-be and dad-to-be were growing up. So I asked guests to identify the zebra, elephant and lion. Only one guest correctly named them: Ziggy, Peanut and Roary.
It was my honor and my joy to throw this party for my daughter and son-in-law. When I settled on a theme—zoo animals—my creativity sparked. Elephant themed napkins and dainty elephant cut-out cookies. A baby trivia game included questions about the gestational period of an African elephant (22 months), plus questions about the parents-to-be and more. The two grandpas were the lifelines.
The great nieces played while their moms and others passed opened baby gifts around my living room. That’s my husband in the doorway.
Laughter and conversation flowed. Arms of aunts and grandmas and cousins held babies. Wrapping paper fell onto the living room carpet, entertaining the 10 ½-month old who’s beginning to walk.
The adorable “Santa” outfit from Great Grandma Norma for Amber and Marc’s daughter.
The parents-to-be and guests, and grandparents, too, gushed over the red velvet Santa-style dress with matching hat and red-and-white striped leggings selected by Great Grandma Norma in California. You could almost hear the Minnesota dialect reaction, “Oh, fer cute.”
My daughter holds a colorful car seat activity toy for her daughter.
This whimsical creature from Uncle Jon Eric and Aunt Stephani in California drew many admiring comments.
My daughter Miranda, who lives in Wisconsin, bought this shirt for her niece. My son-in-law is showing off his daughter’s shirt.
Baby’s first doll, a colorful car seat activity toy, a pink “Someone in Wisconsin Loves Me” long-sleeved onesie. Cute. The hand-stitched burp rags, the floral headbands, the cloth diaper shells. Cute. So many gifts from those who love my daughter and son-in-law and my unborn granddaughter.
The grandparents-to-be flank the parents-to-be. From left to right, my husband, me, Amber, Marc and Marc’s parents, Lynn and Eric. We are standing outside the garage door. I found the “it’s a girl” banner packed in a shoebox with baby cards. Next-door-neighbors hung the banner on our garage door 28 years ago when our youngest daughter, Miranda, was born.
Sure, this young couple could have gone out and purchased most of these items. But there’s something special about gathering in a home, crowding into the living room to eat, visit, play games and then watch the opening of baby gifts.
I was delighted to have my two beautiful daughters, Miranda, left, and Amber, in our home for several hours. We haven’t all three been together since June.
This is about tradition. This is about family. This is about love. This is a baby shower.
FYI: Check back tomorrow when I’ll show you more baby shower details and ideas.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a lovely day. I know you had a wonderful time with everyone there and the anticipation of this little grand daughter has to be beyond comprehension. Love the elephant facts and the Beanie Baby idea is great. I could have guessed correctly. 🙂
It was a wonderful party. Just lovely…
Such JOY!
OMGOSH,
I sooooooooooooo much love those elephant cookies!
Love and Hugs and Congrats from Duluth. xxx
Thank you for sharing in my happiness, Kim.
Thank you for the beautiful shower for our daughter! Only 7 weeks left!
You are welcome, my darling daughter. Seven weeks are not very long.
Oh, congratulations to all! A granddaughter is a delightful thing.
Thank you, Kathleen. You would know.
I was so hoping for a shower” post this morning, I thought about you all this weekend celebrating this little baby that will be in your arms before you know it. I love the little elephant cookies, you really made this a special day for Amber. How fun!!!
Thank you, Jackie. For everything. Everything. You are a dear friend.
I love the onesie craft! How fun that will be in the weeks to come as she actually wears those little clothes! 🙂 Such a special time.
Miranda came up with the onesie idea and it was a big hit. I’ll show you the onesies that were created in a blog post. I know. Can’t wait to see Baby Girl wearing these.
Thanks so much for sharing – How Much Fun! – love the onesies idea – how cute – Beautiful Shower of Love and Family and Blessings 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
My second daughter gets credit for the onesie painting idea. She did it at a baby shower in Wisconsin. We all enjoyed this activity.
I like your third addition of “blessings.” True.
What fun!!! You created a fun shower for their first born, and our first Schmidt great grand baby, that they will always remember.
Norma, I thoroughly enjoyed planning and hosting the shower. It was a team effort.
Everyone loved the sweet dresses you sent for your great granddaughter.
How Fun! So glad you had a wonderful weekend! So much excitement coming your way! Blessings to you all!
Thank you, Laurie.
Awe super cute! Looks like you all had a great time. So glad we humans don’t have the gestational period of an elephant.
That’s why I threw that elephant question into the game, to make us humans feel better.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy little girl who will obviously be loved beyond words.
Thank you, Jake.
I loved it ll!! Thanks for sharing all the details. Such a creative zoo themed shower you created. I enjoyed seeing photos of your family especially your two girls which was a very nice photo of them. The onesie craft was a fun additiion to the party. My favorite food item was the platter of elephant cookies. My favorite gift that was so clever the T-Shirt from Wisconsin.
Thank you, Sue, and thanks for your input on the shower.
Everyone loved the cute little elephant cookies.
I agree about the Wisconsin onesie and about the photo of my girls. My son commented: “That picture is really good. You can even see the colors of their eyes.”
Oh what fun,,,,a new grandbaby on the way! Loved your elephant cookies, you did well on the baking… and the whimsical “deer” (?) how precious!
We are all super excited for the new baby. Not many weeks to wait.
The elephant cookies did turn out adorable.
I’m not sure what type of whimsical creature that is– maybe a deer.
Oh how exciting for y’all. February 1st we became great -grandparents. ..she was born 2 months prematurely so she’s still in hospital. Hoping she can go home in next couple – three weeks.
Yes, we’re excited. I hope your wee one can soon go home.