Bennett's First Birthday Party

I should also say that this was his mama and daddy's first birthday party too. To host. For a baby.

WHEW!!

There really wasn't a theme, except for maybe everything was generally silver and blue. I undecorated our Christmas tree and put up silver and blue ball ornaments, wrapped some iridescent blue fabric around the base, and stamped it the Bennett Tree. I figured it would be one way to extend the life of our Christmas tree every year, and a fun decoration for our holiday-born baby!

The cake was a last minute buy: I realized in calling all the pastry shoppes the week before Christmas that they need much longer than a week's notice this time of year. Especially since everyone was going to close on Christmas Eve and not reopen until the NEXT Monday (as in day after Bennett's party). I finally found a local (and desperate I guess) business who was willing to make a cake and have it ready in one day. They got a little carried away with the ONE, and, after I drew what I wanted on a paper plate, they did a decent job carrying it out. You live, and you learn.

However, they forgot the two cupcakes that were also ordered with the big cake (one was for Bennett's party, one was for his actual birthday). So they gave me a dozen rolls and some petit fores. Not the same. Not a big deal really in the whole scheme of things. But still, Not the same.

I found these silver circle coasters on clearance at Michael's, bought three packs of four, and put a picture of Bennett from each month in them. I also stole this idea from a baby shower decoration and put some of Bennett's outfits on a clothesline at the fireplace. It almost evoked tears as I hung the outfit he wore home from the hospital, but there was no time for tears as I had much bday planning to do (hmmm...sounds like I needed some "stop and smell the roses" time this month...we will get to that in my New Years' Resolutions post....coming soon)

The food spread

His Mother's Day Out portraits (and only professional photography to date!)


Add some silver and blue balloons, some snacks, seven or eight laughing/screaming/crying/squealing kids, and a silver wreath on the door and voila! You have Bennett's First Birthday Party! :)

Our neighbors were the first to arrive, and Bennett wasted no time in trying to steal a kiss from Miss Camille

She was none too happy with the attack but Bennett acted as nothing out of the ordinary took place

The group o babies
Playing with Will Seifert, who was born on Bennett's original due date
Picture with Will several months back (I realized I never posted it after our little baby playgroup!)

***OK I WILL post this picture - all of a sudden Blogger froze and wont let me upload pics***

Bennett getting overwhelmedTrying to calm my child - bribing him with FORMULA out of a BOTTLE (two things we were on the road to getting away from)

Bennett with his Balloons
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Sooooo he doesn't exactly like the hatNope, not one bit
It was a blast, even though Bennett was a little {a LOT} overwhelmed at all the commotion that was going on at HIS house. He was stuck to me like white on rice, and was his happiest when...go for it - take a guess - ...........................................................................
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Yep! you got it. He was happiest when he was EATING HIS CAKE. Or inhaling it. Who needs a bib? :)




Family photo in front of the Bennett Tree. And Stephen was fighting to keep his eyes open
As I said, this boy was on me like white on rice. Couldn't get enough hugs Opening presents with Uncle Awesome after the party and an outfit change (by Bennett that is)

Look at this neat stool from Mimi and Doc!
Hmm...this goes here
Bennett posing with his tree before nap time Surprisingly, the sugar overdose didn't keep Bennett up from his nap. He slept for THREE HOURS and we had to wake him up to eat dinner and get ready to go back to bed! Overall, his party was a fun success, crazy yes, but fun. It lasted all of an hour and a half - perfect for all these one year old babies!!! (and these one year old baby parents!!)

After Bennett went to sleep, we opened the rest of his presents (since he had no desire to do so himself). He got a TON of toys and books, and as a friend coined it - it looks like Toys R Us threw up in our house. He also got two big boy striped polo shirts - dont know if some friends are hinting at me to start dressing Bennett like a big boy!!!

Dont know if I am there yet, but it might be fun to throw him in those polo's every now and again...I know his daddy, uncles, and granddads would appreciate it!! :)

My baby is growing up! One year at a time! I have a ONE YEAR OLD.

Geez

{Thanks Erin for being our Photographer for the day!!}