It was a sweet time with family and a few of AJ's baby buddies from church. We had a full house, the weather was icky....but the party was great. We celebrated our first year of our son's life and for that I am grateful! AJ is the sweetest baby....I know I say it a lot but he really is such a joy. His eyes and face light up when he smiles......so there is a lot of light around here.
About the party: I knew I wanted to have a brunch because of AJ's nap schedule. I also thought it would be great if the kids could kind of 'roll out of bed...sleep in and just have fun'. The initial inspiration came from the Night Owl Pajama Party from giggledustparties.com/wordpress/a-night-owl-pajama-club-party/ So, the wheels started turning on how to adapt that for a boy ...a one year old boy. I want to give a big kudos to Karli at Dimpleprints ! I contacted her a while back with ideas for AJ's party and the result was a wonderfully creative custom party for AJ. She provided a pdf with party printables: invitations, party hats, cupcake picks, tshirt design, party favor boxes, banners---really you name it...it was in there...I could not have been more pleased. Go check out her site and her etsy store if you need any party invitations or printables: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Dimpleprints
Andrew and Anthony were my helpers in putting it all together and everything was all set for the pajama clad guests to arrive. My only regret was not checking the camera batteries the night before...because I wasn't able to take pics of everything until the party was in full swing. I was so busy enjoying everything that I didn't get to take all the pics I wanted....oh well...that's life, huh?
Okay without further ado...
The invitation envelopes before they were mailed "Look whooo's turning one"
The invitation in the sign in matte
Welcome sign
We have a long memo board near our entry way where we normally keep mail or invites, etc...so I put a one year timeline collage starting with newborn and went through each month.
The entry table: favor bags, some of the party hats, books, sign in frame....didnt' realize my two older kids had been reading one of the display books when I snapped this...oh well;) I rounded up a bunch of books that had to do with owls, birds, sleeptime, pajamas, etc...we'd use them later one for storytime.
Happy 1st Birthday Circle Banner and the baby table....I had AJ's highchair and 3 booster chairs for the babies coming and extra seats for their parents. I also placed their party hats, a 'teething' blocks and bowls of cheerios for them to munch on.
Use what you have....we seem to always have random letter magnets...so I spelled out a birthday phrase...couldn't find enough to spell out happy...hahahahha...must be behind a couch or something.
Some of the birthday penants and the Early Bird Brunch sign
close up
The buffet table...really the only photo I have...wish I would have taken a shot of the table skirt decor...sigh...but the food was yummy. Menu: breakfast tacos and salsa, pan de dulce (Mexican sweet bread), sausage and cheese kolaches, donuts, fruit and cheese cubes.
drink tub: OJ, chocolate milk, milk, water, coffee
Big kid table: big sister and cousin Taylor
My parents and AJ...so sweet!
The 'birdiful big sister' that's what her shirt said;)
The wise owl-der brother...that's what his shirt said
The owl-dorable birthday boy...that's what his shirt said.
We cleared out some furniture in the nursery and arranged some toys for the litle ones (Early Bird Playroom)
AJ and cousin Brady
We did the same in the big kids room...(Night Owl Playroom)
Curly Willow tree with owl/bird circles
sign to the bird bathroom...hahahahha...I know enough already with the bird talk
Because of the icky weather out..we stayed inside. I asked the two older cousins to choose some of the books that I had collected and they read a few each. It was great to get them involved. Look at the cute pajamas the little ones have on on the couch.
Maris reading
Taylor reading
Sweet AJ and my Pop listening...Kai sitting next to him.
Uncle B and Camren and cousin Morgan
The best daddy in the world wore his PJ's with Em.
Time for cupcakes!
The orange and white ribbon was actually an owl print ribbon I couldn't pass up. I just love the way Carli designs her cupcake toppers...pics of AJ, number one, etc...great stuff!
Me and AJ..he was so ready for a bottle and nap at this point
....and then he realized they were singing to him and look at that face---priceless!
Happy Day!
Now let's try some of this cake my big brother is always talking about.
fun!
not up the nose..ugh
Brady
Connor
Gift time with Daddy
The photo booth...with the photo 'paddles'...it worked out better to just bring those to people to let them choose.
Like this...we asked are you a night owl or early bird...and they got to pick and say 'cheese'
Mimi's a night owl
Taylor is an early bird
Kara is both a night owl and an early bird.
Steve..early bird/ Morgan...night owl
The Sokolls!!!
whew......long day...but the fun continues---AJ and Emma playing under the table skirting later that day
Happy Birthday little pumpkin!
