Never Grow Up

It's no secret that I love planning parties. Everything about it is fun for me. Picking the perfect theme, making decorations or finding cute things for cheap, and planning food. I also know that many people think it is ridiculous to go all out for babies birthdays, and that is great for them. I am under no illusion that my kids are going to remember these parties from their first birthday, and that's OK. I think it is more for us as parents. A celebration of their sweet life of course, but also a celebration of surviving and somewhat thriving in that first year of their life because that certainly deserves a celebration.

I knew pretty early on that I wanted to do a "Never Grow Up" Peter Pan theme for Lincoln's first birthday. As my last baby, I am two-fists-tightly-gripping onto his baby-ness. I'm not wishing it away this time so "Never Grow Up" has been my motto for him since day one.

I love Peter Pan and the movie Finding Neverland is one of my all-time favorites and makes me sob all the ugly tears every time. I wanted to run with the theme but not in a traditional Peter Pan and Tinkerbell way. So, I just subtly went with feathers, arrows, moss and trees, teepee, pirates and treasure. We had chocolate gold coins and gummy tick-tock crocs for the kids to make goody bags out of as their party favor and black tape leading to the red "X" marks the spot on the front porch. Some "Lost boys rules" and a bunch of photos of our sweet boy through his first year completed it all.

We did a taco bar because tacos are always a good idea. I prayed the rain away (although it showered on us for a few minutes) and we enjoyed having an outdoor party with a bounce house. Lincoln was a pro at the cake smash which was hilarious and I was so glad we were outside for it as he started throwing cake on the ground after shoving his face.

I swear by these words "Little boys should never be sent to bed, they always wake up a day older and then before you know it, they're grown." To my little boy who just keeps growing, I love you.

"Never Grow Up" print: Etsy {I asked the shop to format it to 18x24 poster size and did an engineering print at Staples}

felt star garland: made by me

felt leaf garland: Target

felt feather garland: Etsy

feather cupcake toppers: Etsy

tick-tock croc dummies: Amazon

chocolate gold coins: Target

"Lost boys rules" wood sign: made by me

"One" high chair banner: made by me

"1" gold balloon: Hobby Lobby

real feather garland on teepee: made by me

square photo prints: Parabo Press

"Never Grow Up" shirt: Etsy

Peter Pan felt hat: Etsy

fairy jars: made by me

invitations: Etsy

baby shower | marleigh

Oh hi!  It's me.  I promise I am still living and breathing and cleaning Cheerios out of everything.  I've been a little busy and the blog took a backseat.  I promise G has had plenty of funny things to say, but I haven't had the brain power or flexibility to sit down and write.  So what's new?

+ We are planting a church next January and are in full swing meeting and planning.

+ I'm starting a sweet little Etsy shop selling felt flower decor and headbands. Who would have thunk? Not me.

+ And a beyond crazy schedule of traveling, traveling husband, meetings, baby showers, which brings me to this post...

I had the privilege of co-hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law last weekend and wanted to share some photos.  You know I love a good party and party planning is like Christmas morning for me.  It was so fun to plan for a girl (because boy city in my neck of the woods) and to use some pink and floral elements.

backdrop | DIY, crepe paper {paper mart}
prints | {Ivie baby shop}
cake topper | {Grace and Salt}
votives and pink lantern | {Ikea}
"advice for new mommy" printable | {Floating Specks Co.}
"M" | DIY, wooden letter from {Michaels}
felt flower pots | my Etsy shop coming soon {floral and fern}
cake | {Kendra's bakery creations}

Bear bash

We've called Nolan "Nolly-bear" for as long as I can remember.  Even Gideon picked up on the nickname.  He is a bear in every sense so I knew it would be perfect to throw a bear bash for his first birthday party.

I wanted to do it earlier in the day so that our birthday boy would hopefully be in a good mood, so it was decided that a pancake bar would be the menu.  I {really my mom!} made a ton of pancakes with all sorts of toppings set out to load them up with.  Strawberries, blueberries, sprinkles, chocolate chips, whip cream, butter, Nutella, and syrup.  A side of sausage and some more fruit; milk, juice and coffee and it was a hit.  This was the first party where the kids actually ate the food and we had almost no leftovers which was awesome! But then again, who doesn't love breakfast?

It was a really fun morning and we are so happy to have our one year old!

Where I got it all:
- gingham table cloth | tablecloth factory
- birch tree backdrop {actually a shower curtain that I borrowed} | Amazon
- large wood rounds, small wood rounds, moss, bear figurine | Michaels
    - large square photo prints | Sticky 9
    - bear print | Etsy
    - wooden frame | TJMaxx
    - wooden scoops | Etsy
    - galvanized pails | Target