Winter One-derland Birthday Party

As I sit here on my nice comfy couch, drowned in pillows, I am quite, full and content, nothing wanting nor lacking anything. Unlike last year this time where I was praying that, "this baby would just come soon!" 

2010 came and went just like 2011 came and will go. Was it a hard year? Yes! Was it my best year? Yes! I end this year with many memories. The birth of my son, our trip to Slovakia, many visits to California including one that's coming up this week, buying our own house and many others. Many victories have been won this year, mindsets conquered and dreams came true.

Hubby and I got to welcome the New Year with discussing our goals, dreams and vision for our family, where we are headed and how we will have things this year. For me, it was the best way to bring in the best year of our lives. The great part is that next year will be even greater. Our main goal is to be the light in other people's lives, stay in unity as a family, serve God with all of our being. Planning for the future makes it bright and in the end what you end up planning will come to pass. If we aren't perfect examples of that then we will be next year. 

We got to spend the New Year celebrating Augustin's 1st birthday. With lots of planning, time and work we pulled of a party first class and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The dessert table was full of candy, cupcakes (thanks to gail), popcorn, chocolate covered pretzel's, donuts, lollipops, yogurt covered raisins & more. It really was one of my favorite parts about the party because it looked so beautiful along with his personalized Happy Birthday sign photographed by Annetta-B Photography, okay it was photographed and designed my me. I'm just so proud of this idea because the inspiration came from the 'inner man'. I also placed his first pair of booties on the table. It really showed how big he has grown in this past year.

I must apologize for the pictures. There are not enough of them and the couldn't really focus on that since I was the mommy of the birthday boy and hostess. My budget did run out so hiring a photographer for the party wasn't an option, but my friend photographer did bring her camera with her and captured some moments.

I didn't know what to expect out of Augustin when it came time for him to eat his cake. The reaction I got didn't surprise me though. Looking back I guess that's what I had imagined him doing. He hasn't had any sweets before really and if he did it's been very little. He just looked around at everyone as they sang him 'Happy Birthday' and then tried to stick his hand into the candle flames. I'm guessing the fire didn't bother him nor burn him because he just did it again after I stopped him the first time.

I'm really happy that I did two things for this party. 

One: was having a craft table where the kids got to design their own crowns cut out of felt with the themed colors. I also set up a coloring station on the same bench next to the crowns. 

Two: was a balloon room downstairs. I had filled it with 100 balloons for them to run around in. Somehow all the balloons ended up on the ceiling, such creative kids.

The centerpiece for the dinning table was fun to do. With all the sales after Christmas, Christmas balls were cheep and it was lots of fun personalizing it with Little Guy's photo's from birth till now. Can you guess the colors for my next Christmas? Yupe! Baby blue, white, blue and silver. Leftover decor is so fabulous.

My little Olive Penguins were a hit. People actually put them on the snow (mashed potatoes)! I'm really bummed that I never got to eat my dinner. By the time I got to it I had to set it down to do the Birthday Cake and then that was the end of that!

Since the house was decorated I didn't want to overdue his highchair and had just stuck some balloons on it to make it stand out. Sweet and simple. Actually the whole party looked sweet and simple. I didn't get a chance to make the Frozen Pond or hang up the snowflakes on the ceiling along with some other things I didn't have time to do… sigh.

When it's dark outside so early it's hard to find the house you are looking for. Most people put balloons up, but because of the snow, freezing temperatures & the dark, the balloons wouldn't be seen and would have deflated. I decided that illuminating lanterns on the ground showed the guests our house and the neighbors that there was a party.

We didn't get to play musical chairs, but I think the kids had a great time as did the birthday boy. I'm really excited to plan his next birthday party, which will be when he is 5!! Until then it's just close family members, lots of presents and an overly decked out birthday table for now. My husband and I have decided to throw BIG parties when he is 1, 5, 10, 13, 16 and so on.

Looking around the room right now scares me. It is one big mess! Wrapping paper still on the floor, sweets all over the tables, popcorn on the ground, and chairs all over the house, but I wouldn't want it any other way. It's a sign that our New Years Day was one of the best and it was an amazing start to an even more incredible year!

Now we are off the celebrate another one year old who had been Little Guy's friend since before they were born. I hope everyone has had an amazing first just as we have had.

Oh and Little Guy can now go on photo shoots with mommy. He has his own person camera!