Henry's Reading Themed Party

Hendrix's Birthday party was a total success. Originally we were to do a "Day of the Dead' theme but decided against it. We went with a reading theme since Henry loves books and the classic colors red and white.
I started with the invites which were modeled to look like books. Inside I used the old style library pull out cards and a book mark to get the point across. I decorate the envelopes with scratch and sniff reading themed stickers for extra flair.






We decorated the street and the front walk with happy little friend balloons and banners. All the paper goods were red and white with gingham checks (very 1950's picnicy). I used platters and dishes I had been collecting from thrift stores so they were all vintage and many had little apple details on them. Sadly I don't have any good pics of them.



Decorations indoors included banners I made from ribbon and old story books, red and white streamers, freshly picked apples, and vintage Little Golden Books.







 I kept the food simple and we just did classic comfort foods and old fashioned soda pop.



I made the cake. It was plain white with colorful candles. The inside was read and white stripped. Overall the theme was really simple.









The favors were Dr. Seuss books wrapped in brown paper packaging and tied up with string.



Now i just need to get on the Thank You cards...any suggestions?

Happy Birthday Hendrix!!

Dear Hendrix,
One year. You are a whole year old. First off, How did I survive a whole year? A year of waking up 5 times a night and breastfeeding and not letting you fall down stairs/poke your eye out/ break your face/meet your demise some way or another. I totally rule. I have been at this a year and I am actually doing a decent...No, not decent, a great job. Yowza. I am so proud.



Then there is you. 
You and your effervescent smile and silly lil personality. You are so strong and have overcome so much. One year and you have given me a lifetimes worth of love and happiness.
So what's next lil man?
Where do we go from here?
I'm so ready for the future and all that it brings.





You are starting to look like me more and more every day. You certainly have your Father's (and Brother's) eyes but now there is a hint of me in your smile, your chin, the shape of your mouth and the scrunch of your nose.

You are very curious. Adventurous, even. You have turned simple tasks like a walk in the neighborhood into a journey.
You discover uncharted land.
You collect many a leaf treasure and you conquer the dog fierce beasts.

It is amazing how you have shed new light on everyday nothings.




You are a walker now. Sometimes a runner although that usually ends in a face plant. You have no problem letting go of my hand to wander away.
You love to eat. Guacamole, salsa, and sweet potatoes sprinkled with cinnamon are some of your favorites. You like things spicy and hearty, full flavors.
You know where your toes are and you try to snap your fingers.
You are obsessed with animals, especially dogs. You pat all your stuffed puppies and even try to cuddle your doggie board books.






I have a confession to make. Being a parent is hard. Not like I had thought it would be. Emotionally you have to have such a strong foundation.
I worry a lot. Worrying is far more work than I had ever imagined it would be.
Sometimes I even feel like I'm failing you. I wish I had a solid career/big house/money in the bank for you. I worry that I don't have enough faith or the right kind of faith or a spiritual path to take you on. I worry that I won't be able to protect you from those that will want to hurt you or use you. I fear you will become addicted to something, anything, and I won't be able to fill up the space it inhabits. I fear I wont be able to secure anything in the future for you. All the unknowns and things that are out of my small hands.
I carry the weight of the world for you.


I hope you know that I'll always love you. There are no conditions here. I don't care about the details like who choose to love, your political or religious stance and what you decide is you passion.




All I really hope for you is that you live. Really Live. Drink life up and never lose a lust for it.

Happy Birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday.

I love you,
Mama

Friday Findings: 10/15/10 Edition

Happy Friday Everyone!! Plans for the weekend? I'll be celebrating my little man's first year of life. Wish me luck and bring on the tissues....

Wow. I have no idea what it is about these photos but I was really moved. This is what MOTHERHOOD
looks like.

You should be listening to THIS.

Words to live by.

Possibly the best secret hideaway ever.

Honesty. No matter what your beliefs.

3D pancakes??!!!! Yowza.

How about a little fashion inspiration?


Autumn beauty...












Photo Sources
We Heart It
Paper Sparrow
ECT
ffffound

Birthday Wishes and Caviar Dreams

Hendri'x 1st birthday is upon us. Next Monday on October 18th my son will turn one. I've been distracting myself with preparing for the birthday party and of course creating the ultimate birthday wish list in my head of all the fun goodies and threads I would shower my baby bean if I had the dough. What made the cut you ask?



The Eco Doll House by Plan Toys.
Which WAS on sale for 65 bucks but it sold out of course...not that I have that much lying around for a wooden house H would just drool on/beat up. *le sigh* A girl mom can dream, right?



1. Wooden Space Set complete with two headed alien and soft rocket carrying case.
2. Bum Genius Artist Series. I'm dying from the cuteness!
3. Clementine Art Natural Finger Paints  'cause you know he is gonna eat at least a hand full
4.The TykeLight GloMate. Perfect for illuminating night nursing sessions.



The Smart Trike 3 in 1. Henry would looooove this. Plus it would grow with him which is fantastic. Also, H hates the stroller so I'm thinking this would be a fun alternative. This is #1 on my birthday wishlist.




1.Creative Recreation Testa in Toddler Size 4.
2.Meet Me in the Tee Pee
3.Stuva Toy Box from Ikea
4.Friendly Toys Little Play Zone and Play Mat



1.Bill Murray Onesie by Truly Sanctuary
2.Sleeping Bunny Pillow by Green Thread
4.Yummy Yummy Gummy Bear Overalls by Overall Baby
4. Woolie Seahorse by Sweet Carolyns

Happy Belated 11 Month Mini Birthday

Dear Hendrix,

Happy 11 months. Or maybe I should say Happy 11 1/2 months. I have been seriously procrastinating on this post for you. I thought it would bring so many emotions to the surface and I just wasn't ready to sit down and put this all on paper I guess.
I thought the 11th month would be so sad. I thought I would get choked up thinking about your newborn days and how they are gone and I'll never be able to get them back.
but..
I'm not.
I am just so proud of how far you have come.
I am so excited for the future.
Ecstatic at the opportunities and experiences that will come with your toddler years.



Everyday a new part of your personality comes alive.
You have started to take on more big boy features. The baby chubby is still there but it is slowly falling away. Your eyes are full of mischief and curiosity. The tell so many stories.

Your smile is so big and wide.
The little teeth! That full smile kills me!
A month or so ago as they were poking through your sore gums I was so heartbroken that the days of the toothless grin were over. But now? I get giddy at the site of those pearly white!



You are a walker now. You refuse to crawl. You have a shape sorter and you put the blue circle, the red square in over and over.
You adore animals. Especially puppies. You "Woof, Woof!" at anything small and furry.
You point to family members in pictures. "Where is Grammy" I ask and you point and wave at the photo album.

When you are tired you will bury your head into my hair and coo "Mamamama" into my ear. To hear you call me by that. There are no ways or words for me to explain what that does to a woman. It's earth shattering really and I am fully aware that eventually I will have moments where I feel like if you say Mama one more time my head might explode but for now it is the sweetest sound.

I think of the comfort I got from my own parents as a child. That down home apple pie feeling. That animal crackers and apple juice before nap time. Warm beds and Christmas mornings.
and now here I am giving that to you.
I am proud of myself. I am, really. I nurture and it comes naturally and it feels so right. I am so happy. Happy. Happy. Happy. I'll just keep rambling and typing and you will never sit here as me and know how much I adore you.



You are so smart. I can not wait to see where you go from here.

I have been crafting and collecting and getting ready for your birthday. Your BIRTHDAY.
We will be celebrating.
We are doing it up big.
You deserve it.

I have had an awful time dealing with and letting go of the way you came into this world. I hate that I never got to sing happy birthday to you then so now?

We will sing. Loudly. With bravado.




I love you so much. Love. Love. Love. I never knew the meaning of the word until I laid my eyes on you.



I want you to know that no matter where you walk in this world.
I am always with you.    You are never alone.     My hand is always here for you to hold.


Cheers!
Mama









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