I sure hope everyone had a good weekend. I took a trip ‘home home’ with the kids to celebrate Mother’s Day at a luncheon on Saturday put on by my sister. It was so lovely! I got to visit with my grandma and aunts and of course my mom and sisters. I’ve been so busy with work and side projects, it was a nice tiny break. Although I was still trying to finish up my niece’s birthday invitation, which caused me to be late coming home to celebrate on Mother’s Day with Thomas and the boys. Due to my procrastination and awful sense of time management. I pretty much ruined my own day. We were suppose to continue the tradition and go strawberry picking and eat lunch like we did last year when Case was just a few weeks old. Super bummed at myself. But instead, we spent the afternoon (what was left) grocery shopping. Hmmm…I actually enjoyed it. My husband left the store saying ‘never again’…I said, ‘this is what I do all the time.’ Afterwards we went to his brother’s for a little barbeque. In the end, I was so blessed to be with my family this weekend, the people I love, especially our two incredible boys. Oh and Thomas was the sweetest and got me a Wacom tablet and new hard drive for my computer…eek! So excited, but definitely didn’t feel deserving of it.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the awesome moms out there!
xo
Ladies and gentlemen…our baby turned one on Sunday! I can’t believe it has already been a year since we saw our little Casen Blake for the first time. We’ve had an such amazing first year!
I had hopes of warm weather and sunny skies, but the chilly wind and grey clouds didn’t keep us from having the greatest circus party on earth! We celebrated at a little park near our home with family and friends. I wanted to share a few of my favorite photos.
I enjoy planning the kids’ birthday parties, my husband on the other hand, who is always in charge of the food, always asks if we can just have a simple party with good food. Well, from the ring of fire cupcakes to the gold fringe on the big round balloons, it was just that! Ha!
Once all the guests arrived we ate some yummy hot dogs and hamburgers, popcorn, and chips. I think the little guest were more interested in the party blowers, candy and toys that came in their favor bags. They were troopers and weren’t going to let the weather stop them from playing on the playground and with all the circus toys and silly things to dress up with.
Of course you can’t have a circus party without a striped tent! Good thing because we eventually moved under it to stay warm, eat some homemade cake and open gifts…thank you everyone!
Happy Birthday to Case!
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circus invitation / Little Frills paper + goods available soon!
napkins / Mara-Mi for Target + Ikea
party crowns / diy from Wit & Whistle
balloons / Shop Sweet Lulu
balloon fringe / diy from Sweet Thing
ring of fire cupcakes / diy from The Proper Pinwheel
scarf/bib / IndieNook
Easter Sunday was full of blue skies, warm weather and family. Every other year we go to my grandma’s home to celebrate Easter. This year we were able to spend time with both our families. My mom made the boys ties…so cute! It was Casen’s first Easter. He was sort of crabby…he doesn’t like to get off schedule, but he was so good in church. Jax, on the other hand spent most of the time in the bathroom, walking around outside with Daddy and discovering the baptismal fountain. As long as I can remember we always flew kites on Easter. It was so awesome to see Thomas and Jax run around the football field flying Jaxon’s first kite (captured on vine). Jax had a blast hunting easter eggs twice and eating way too much chocolate. I think I had way too many Reeses eggs. Mimi and Papa spoiled the boys with lots of goodies…and sand toys for our vacation! It was a great day.
what we wore
Case: handmade tie, H&M hat + shirt, Genuine Kids pants, Freshly Picked moccs / Jax: handmade tie, Gap Hat, H&M shirt + pants, Target boots / Laura: Francesca’s dress + necklace, Forever 21 cuff, Mossimo Boots / Thomas: H&M shirt, Flypaper Denim, Dan Post Boots
A few of my favorite photos from my Mother’s Day weekend. We had such a blast relaxing with family, strawberry picking, taking naps and eating yummy food…I even had a beer, first one since our wedding! So lucky to have two happy healthy boys.
Photo of Jax taken by my husband…thinks he is a professional.
Jaxon’s MONSTER birthday party was a success! On Sunday we had immediate family and a few friends over to our house to celebrate. I still can’t believe he is two!
I had a blast designing all the silly monsters for his invitation, which is available in my shop. (Alphabet poster and monster prints to come!) I know I said I wasn’t going to go overboard, but I just had to make those little guys come to life. So, with the help of my mom, gran and sister, we made little stuffed letter monsters for the favors.
For lunch, Thomas made pulled pork and smoked beef brisket. It was so delicious! I made a green monster cake (snickerdoodle…yum!) and my mother-in-law crafted the eyeball cake pops for the top. Thomas said I made too many sweets…but who doesn’t like a bright orange cupcake?
After Jax blew out his little two candle, all by himself, it was time to open gifts. Oh yay! More toys. Haha! Just kidding, he actually received lots of cute clothes…much needed, thank you.
And the party ended with yummy rainbow slush, made by my sister-in-law and all the kids jumping on Jaxon’s bed…lots of fun and sticky little hands!
Dear Jax…
I can’t believe you are TWO! That was such a fun year. Watching you learn how to walk and talk and jump. So many fun memories we have had…you sure are growing into a handsome little boy. We have loved every minute. Excited for you will meet your new little brother in a few months too! I am sure you will love him and teach him how to give your sweet hugs. We are so proud of you. (tear…oh my) Love you!
So excited to celebrate tonite. Mimi and Papa are taking you to Chuck-E-Cheese and on Sunday you are having a MONSTER birthday party with friends and family.
Happy Birthday Jaxon!
xo Mom + Dad
I know you have all been waiting to see photos from Jaxon’s first birthday party…so here are a few. The theme was ✈ airplanes and travel…and Saint Louis too, since that is where we live. It was a blast designing everything…from the party hats to the little passports. (Most of which will be available in my new shop soon, including the travel poster below.) And if you didn’t catch my post of the invitations, see them here.
When the little party guests arrived they each got their passport photos taken in front of a big map. I borrowed my friend Fran’s polaroid camera…she took most of them, including Jaxon’s! (See her blog here.) They got their passport stamped for all the things they did, like eating cake and ice cream!
Everything was exactly how I imagined a little kid birthday party to be. The kids table was in the center of the room, marked with bright red balloons. I love seeing the kids wear their party hats! The tables were lined with brown postal paper and sprinkled with giant confetti. Daddy bought balsa wood airplanes that we placed all around.
It was nice to have a little play area for the some entertainment between activities. Jaxon had fun playing with his friends, Weston and Jack!
We had pizza, yummy snacks…cheese balls, pretzels, and animal crackers, homemade sugar cookies shaped like clouds and airplanes and of course cake! The cake sat on top of the same vintage suitcase as the one in this photo. I made Jaxon a little smash cake. It said I’M ONE on it…but he liked the ice-cream better!
Later we played ‘pin the propeller’ on the nose of the airplane. Some of the kids were blindfolded…hilarious!
Before departure, all the little party guests went to the baggage claim to get their suitcase favor…filled with homemade sugar cookies, pretzels, a notepad for ideas, small toy and plastic airline wings. So glad that I found just enough suitcases for the party…
With some twine and tiny clothes pins, I put Jaxon’s photos from his first year on display for everyone to see how my little peanut grew!
Opening gifts! Daddy was trying to get the last picture of the party. (It was blurry…shhh) Thank you Eddi and London for helping!
Finally the birthday boy and me, Momma!
…and Daddy too. Thanks babe for all your help and for making the slide show!
Oh my, I never thought the day would come so quickly…but it’s here. My little peanut is ONE! One year exactly since the day Jaxon was born…ahh crazy! It has been an absolutely amazing year watching him grow into a happy and adventurous little boy. All those sleepless nights were worth every minute. I am so proud of him…me, daddy, us, our little family. I can’t wait to see what year number two will bring!
Happy first birthday, Jaxon Thomas!
ps. Hot dogs, mac & cheese and cupcakes tonight, but the big birthday celebration is saturday…Yay!
It is hard to believe that I am planning Jaxon’s FIRST birthday party! It feels like he was just a tiny baby…but he has grown into such a happy little boy, full of mischief. I’ve found a ton of grand ideas from Hip Hip Hooray, a blog for little kids and big celebrations. I also came across My Little Day, a site where you can buy supplies, modern decorations, fun favors and even costumes to make your little ones birthday a festival. Since I am a designer, his invitations have been thought out for a long time. As far as everything else…more details to come!
