Madeline Grace Hocutt, daughter of Wayne and Blake Hocutt of Indian Trail, N.C., celebrated her first birthday with family and friends at a Polka Dot Soiree on Sunday, January 21, at her home. Her birthday was January 23.

For her party Gracie wore a lavender chenille outfit with an embroidered cupcake on the front and polka dotted socks. Many of her friends continued her party theme as their attire also featured polka dots.

As guests arrived, they were greeted by balloons and a polka dotted sign on the front lawn announcing Gracie's first birthday. Inside the home were festively decorated placemats, arrangements of fresh flowers, balloons, birthday mobiles and a party hat centerpiece.

Gracie celebrated with two cakes.The one for her guests featured two graduated layers festively decorated in pink and blue with decorative stripes decorated and colorful polka dots. It was topped with a blue bow, also festive with little dots. The cake was complete with a heart on the top layer which held her initials.

Her other cake, baked by her papa, Kermit Hocutt, was a doll "dressed" in a pink formal gown with polka dot trim.

In addition to cake, guests enjoyed party foods of quiche, chicken salad timbales, cheese straws, assorted muffins, nuts, and a vegetable and fruit tray. Ice cream, punch and water were also served. Plates and napkins were designed with stripes and polka dots.

Favors for the children were brightly-colored personalized buckets each filled with a stuffed frog, book, crayons, bubbles, whistle and wooden blocks.

Twenty-five guests attended the party including Gracie's papa, Kermit Hocutt; Chad, Felicia and Mason Thornton and Debbie and Mary Ellen Lindsey of Washington.