One year olds party

Paisley's First Birthday

Cannot believe it has been a whole year since we brought our sweet bundle of joy home. The day we chose to have her party, coincidentally was the day we finally got to bring our sweet little one home from the hospital and had a house full of friends and family.

For months leading up to her birthday, I was busy pinning away ideas on Pinterest. Crafting and decorating was the real reason I wanted to have a big first birthday party. A couple weeks before, when the school year ended for me, I began crafting away.

I got this crazy idea to cut out star shapes out of cardboard we had from boxes. I had a set of star shaped cookie cutters of all sizes that came in very handy.

The theme "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" and pink and glitter

After cutting all the star out I wasn't quit sure how to make them sparkly, first I thought spray paint would be the easiest but I had lots of glitter. So glitter it was. I hung them all over the house. Paisley loved them, she looked up at them in awe.

 

I also had fun making a Paisley sized one to hang on the front door. I covered it in tissue paper squares and spelled out her name down the center.

 

 

WE did a one year old photo shoot a couple days before, so then I decided to use the pictures as decorations.

 

I also printed out pictures from her first holidays to use as decorations. These will be going in her baby book.

 

I decided to write a note thanking everyone and explaining that it was the exact day we got to bring Paisley home last year.

 

A centerpiece for the dessert table I decided to throw together with left over stuff.

 

I had to make this after seeing them on Pinterest. It was a little big so Paisley did not really wear it.

 

Another idea I saw on Pinterest and loved. The guests enjoyed the pictures and casting their votes.

 

Most of the kids that attended were girls hence the girly party favors, also two of Paisley's favorite things.

 

I had to make a birthday banner or two. I also hung extra glitter stars and one year old photoshoot pictures. This was behind the dessert table. I kept is simple and did cupcakes and cake mix cookies.

 

Another birthday banner. Too much fun making them. More glitter stars above it too.

 

Another idea I saw on Pinterest crape paper.

 

Monthly pictures as decorations.

 

Balloon and tassel garland.

 

 

I got this idea from Pinterest too, my brother created the design. Thank you Uncle Ceej! 

 

For the kids we had a ball pit and a failed water blob. I should have practiced the day before instead of trying to make it the day of.

 

 

I had so much fun crafting for the party.

 

Our small house was full of family and friends that love our little Paisley Grace.

 

A successful party despite the tropical storm.

God continues to bless our little family and we are beyond thankful!

DIY Family photos

So after realizing the price you pay a photographer, I decided to pull the ole' family card and use my father-in-law. Guess what!?! Turned out just how I wanted. 

Well to me photos are about the moments, the looks, the laughs, the people and expressions. I could care less about the filter, the hours of editing and the perfect background. So if you are like me and you know someone with a decent camera, just ask them. 

Here are some tips I thought about:

- dress in colors that compliment or match.

- include an accent color (ours was pink of course) 

- search Pinterest for pose ideas

- explore and ponder good places to take pictures before hand.

- really you only need one good background

- you don't really need an outfit change. 

* A side note, how many pictures do you really need of your family in the same scene, the same year. I have had many photo shoots done and in the end, as long as you have one good picture that's what matters. I usually end up with tons of pictures and wonder what to do with them. Bore or overwhelm people on Facebook with pictures of my family!? 

- remember that you really only need one good picture maybe two or three to hang up in house.

- go 1-2 hours before sunset. 

- be ambitious, if you have a vision create it. ( my vision was to have both our dogs and 4 month old in pictures and guess what it worked. I love how they turned out) 

Go try it and post all of them on Facebook because to be truthful I love looking through all the pictures you post! Every single pose! I'm a little obsessed with pictures, hence the hundreds I have of my little 4 month old. 

 A sneak peak at some of the pictures, posting more after christmas cards are out. 

Craft time!

I love when I can do Pinterest crafts!

So it started when I was looking online at a headband website, super cute head bands Baby Bling! However, if your like me and can't afford $12 headbands. They are super cool though

Ike soft material that won't leave an indent. The dreaded baby headband indent that makes every parent have that horrible parent moment! But headbands are just so cute and if your anything like me... " I want to train her when she's little to like headbands so put it on before she notices!" 

Ok so after the overpriced soft headbands I went to Pinterest, my go to when thing are to expensive to buy. Of course I found numerous diy headband ideas. What is even cooler is they told me to recycle an old shirt. Yippee! One old shirt that was laying around making clutter turned into two and could be more cute head bands! Ready for the outcome....

I think I might have the cutest little model!😊