Greyson's Birthday Party

{Greyson's Birthday Party}

Held: December 27, 2012

At: Our Home

(photo Sears portraits- Adorable shirt by Shelly St. John...check out her face book & etsy site here)

Greyson's first birthday was Dec. 9th, 2012. Since Matt's family lives near us, we had our mini party for him on his real day, but his REAL party wasn't held until 2 weeks later (after Christmas) when more  of the family was in town. 

I don't think it mattered to him much WHEN it was, but having both sets of Grandparents here made it extra special. 

Some families think having a big birthday party for the first one is a little over the top since they won't remember it. I made my decision based on the time of year Greyson was born & the fact that my family lives so far away. Since they (most likely) won't be in our area on his real birthday every year, this was really the only time I could plan to have it late (when it really wouldn't matter) & have the most people included & involved. It just worked better for us! The older he gets we'll still have nice parties & I'm pretty sure there will be a pony involved at one point...but in my eyes, this is the only party that will have this much work & details going into it. 

If we have more children I'll plan to do bigger, more details parties on the FIRST birthday & go easy on the rest. Makes my life a little less complicated in the long run! =) 

Theme: Sock Monkey's & Vintage Toys

I have always loved sock monkeys (we had one when we were little) but when I saw the newborn sock monkey hats, I knew I had to get one for Greyson's new born photos. Since then I always had this theme in the back of my mind & planned to use one of those photos at the party. With in that year, the sock monkey theme got so popular! It was easy to find lots of things out there to use for the party. 

I wanted something different than a cowboy theme, because that will come up eventually =) 

I also got another hat for his 12 month shoot & tied that in with his newborn photos. In addition to the sock monkeys, I had vintage toys that also reflected the theme of my baby shower up north! 

I had so much fun planning & making things for this party. I put some of my own special touches in the details & I absolutely loved how everything turned out!!! 

So without further delay...here is Greyson's party!

Smash Cake

 Candy "Bar" for the favor bags

Drink Table-  Coke & Root beer in glass bottles =)

 Hot Chocolate bar on a cold December evening! 

Peppermint marshmallow stirrers! 

Photo timeline banner (Newborn - 12 months) & gifts

 We did the gifts first so everyone could see him open everything instead of waiting till the end of the party. Plus, there is such thing as "too much birthday" & we knew giving cake before presents would be a disaster! 

Family & Friends at the party. We had around 25-27 people in attendance. Some friends were out of town, couldn't make it, or ended up sick...we missed them but it was still pretty full! I didn't get pictures of everyone but I'm so glad they all came =)

Menu:

Sloppy Joes & BBQ ham on small dinner rolls

Jalapeno cheeseball & crackers

Deer Bologna, cheese & crackers (compliments of my dad bringing it from PA)

Sweet pickles

Macaroni & Cheese (made by Karen Blankenship...which is always amazing!)

Cocktail weenies in sauce

Chips & French Onion dip

Banana Pudding (made by my mother in law...it's the best!) 

Chocolate & Vanilla cupcakes & smash cake (from Pell City Coffee Company...amazing!)

 Singing Happy Birthday! He was very quiet & looked around at everyone as I brought the cake out. He blew on his candle & kept blowing but had to have a little help to blow it all the way out.

He loved "smashing" his cake! He got icing everywhere, but managed to eat a good portion of his cake =) This one was less messy than his other birthday cake that had blue icing...-_-

The Kids favors (I had 8 total) 

Included:

Pencil pinwheels

Vintage toy- Small Wooly Willy game

Glow Stick

Bubbles

Candy

 The next day I took a picture of Greyson with his banner. Hence the PJ's!

Nana was leaving so we had to get a picture of Greyson sitting in his new rocking chair! 

{Special Thanks}

A HUGE Thank you to Richelle Ritchey (Aunt Chelle) for all of her hard work in making this day AWESOME! Not only did she take all of the pictures
(& spend an entire day or days editing them)
she also designed & ordered the Birthday invitations, ran errands for me, helped cleaned, wrote on all the notecards...etc. etc. etc!! She helped in pretty much every area to set up for the party. I could not have done it all with out her help. She is so talented & I'm so glad she was able to be here & be such a big part of Greyson's day. My brother (Uncle Brandon) also helped Richelle run the errands & watched Greyson part of the time =)

My mom (Nana) pretty much helped plan out the menu, helped me shop for everything, made almost all of the food & got it ready & set out. She also helped get things set up, picked up & watched Greyson while I was running around. Dad (papa) even gave Greyson his bath before the party & helped Matt move some of the furniture.

My best friend Emily Powell let me borrow what seemed like a never ending list of things from the high chair, to serving dishes! She helped with the set up, sprinkling of the cupcakes (among other things) =) & did a BUNCH of the clean up at the end of the party. She was a HUGE help all around & her husband, Matt, also helped carry & load all of these items as well as watched the kids & kept things "under control" haha for the most part =) 

Other friends & family helped with the food & also gave Greyson so many wonderful gifts for his party. We didn't have one thing duplicated all the way through Christmas & his birthday combined! 

A sweet friend of mine (Brenda) gave me a "time capsule" for one of my baby shower gifts. We have added special things to it all year...from his party we added all the cards he got & several of them had money in them. We plan to keep the money & cards in tact so that one day during another milestone of his life (we're not sure how old he will be, but MUCH older) we will give him the time capsule as a keepsake. 

I am so grateful for all the many friends & family that have added so much to our lives. Each one is special & means so much to us. We have been blessed more than anyone will ever know & praise God for all His goodness to us. This party wasn't just a celebration of Greyson's first year, but a THANK YOU to all those who have had a part in his life so far. From babysitting, to play dates & everything in between...we had a great year! 

Christmas Day 2012

I've been so busy I am trying to catch up on all the activities we had over the holidays. 

We had our first Christmas up north over Thanksgiving...it was SO fun having snow & getting to take our Christmas card photos then. 

Aunt Richelle took them of us & did some Christmas pictures of Greyson in his sock monkey hat. We needed to take some for his Birthday invitation & there were SO many good ones of him.

There was a lot of sickness & health issues during the month of December. We had to postpone or cancel a few events, but still got to do all our Christmas' with the family. Greyson got his first ear infection the week before Christmas. I was so glad I got him into the Dr. before she went out of town...by Christmas Eve he was MUCH better =)

We had Christmas with Matt's aunt & uncle at their house. 

Greyson wore his Christmas PJ's that my bff Emily got him. She has gotten them these last 2 years to match her little boy Jace & we think this is becoming her tradition to buy the Christmas jammies! He looked so cute with his reindeer shirt & leggs. 

Uncle Ben read the Christmas story of Jesus birth...Greyson read a story too but were not sure what it was. He was excited about the presents! This is really the only present he really opened & was interested in. He loves his new walking toy & had to show mimi all the cool features!

This was Christmas morning at our house. Nana (my mom) brought stockings with her from PA because we didn't do that at Thanksgiving & she wanted us to open something on Christmas since they got to be there. First, we had our little family Christmas with Greyson...

Daddy showing Greyson all his presents under the tree =) He really liked his toys (that he didn't have to unwrap) but once it was time to open things...all he wanted to do was climb the stairs! 

These were our gifts to Greyson, each other, our stockings to each other & then we added our stocking items that Nana got us too! We are blessed to be able to give & receive when so many are not able to do so. It was more special this year because Greyson got to play with his toys. He was so tiny last year, there was just no comparison. 

Later that morning we went to Mimi & G'pa's house for the Crawford Christmas =)

Greyson got a lot more toys, but he still didn't want to unwrap anything -_-

I was surprised to get a Keurig from my inlaws. It was not something I had ever asked for or even thought about getting so I was very surprised!! Last year Ben & Jac got them but Matt doesn't drink coffee so we got something else. Lela remembered that I drink coffee but last year I was still working & usually drank coffee at work so I still never made it at home. I have used the one at their house too, but getting my own has been wonderful!! It was probably my favorite gift from them =) I have used it quite a lot these past couple weeks! 

Yes, this is a giant cow from chickfila...I gotta say...one of the most unique gifts Greyson got was this guy! It makes me laugh & Greyson say's "moo" to it =)

We took lunch over to Gmama & Gdaddy's house because Gdaddy has not been doing very well. He has been too weak to get out so we went to them.

Uncle Jac read the Christmas story at their house & helped G with his gifts...& also entertained us while we were opening ours! On the way back home, poor Greyson was surrounded by gifts!

That evening, we hosted Christmas supper at our house & my mom made her amazing Paula Dean Recipe of Chicken Noodle Soup. It was so good on a cold night. 

We had an amazing Christmas with our family. I'm so glad we got to spend another one with my parents & Aunt Richelle & Uncle Brandon. They probably won't be coming to our house in the next couple years & we will probably go up there next year anyway. It was nice to have everyone in town & Greyson sure had a lot of fun! 

Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!

Happy New Year!

What a year we have had!! 

God is sooo good!

Through the ups & the downs, He has been there for us each step of the way. I can't wait to see what is in store for us in 2013. 

I know it won't always be easy...we are watching loved ones decline in their health not knowing what day will be their last, but we also hold the anticipation of new family members! Whether it be by marriage or new babies on their way...we are blessed. 

My favorite moment BY FAR (from 2011) was the birth of our son BUT 2012 held all of his "firsts" & the moment he learned to call me Mama =) What a fun year we had.

Here's a look at all 12 months

He sure changed so much over each one & time will only go faster

{Happy New Year}

2013

12 Months!

It's official! We made it through the first year of Greyson's life. Being parents has been one of the most rewarding gifts I've ever had...I feel so blessed to be this little guy's mommy & can't imagine life without him! He has been such a GOOD baby that I think I may be spoiled...I nannied quite a few kids in my college days that weren't so good. That was a big reason it took us 5 years to have our first kid! haha He has his moments...but once he got here, I was amazed at how our lives changed...for the better. Children really are a blessing from God & I am so thankful he saw fit to give us Greyson. 

Greyson

so far you...

*got your first ear infection the week before Christmas...thankfully I got you into the Dr. before she went out of town & picked up an antibiotic. You were a little cranky but did really well in spite of feeling bad

*started whole milk the day before your first birthday! You are officially off formula...have been done with bottles for 2 months & are almost weaned from nursing...it has been a couple days since your last nursing took place & so far you are doing well

*weigh 22.15 lbs & are 30 1/4 inches long. You lost almost a whole pound since your 9 month appointment! You are not so chunky anymore from all that moving you do lately

*wear 18-24 month clothes & still fit into some 12 months if we stretch it a little =)

*eat pretty much everything we give you...at least once. You are getting a little more picky & starting to spit things out that you don't like. SOMEONE introduced you to coffee (without asking first) & a few other things but you seem to really like them! G'pa taught you how to say "ahhhh" after a sip of coffee...it's so cute to hear you say it even when he drinks his

*have a very large vocabulary! You say a dozen or more words in the right context & repeat most things we say. This month you learned, Baby Jesus, Ahhh Ahhh Achoo! & Thank you. Uh-oh is still at the top of your list, but we hear you "sneezing" a lot throughout the day. You also do your "touchdown" pose whenever someone says it to you =)

Touchdown!

*don't really like opening gifts...we found this out over your birthday & Christmas...I'm sure that will change next year! 

*got a new lovey...Mr. Monkey! You sleep with him while Mr. Beary (1 & 2) get their "baths" =)

*love story time & say "book" every time we start our bedtime routine. You got lots of new ones & love opening the flaps or pressing the buttons on your activity books.

*told everyone you were "2" when they asked how old you were...I think counting to 3 before you turned 1, confused you a little =)

*play with all your new toys, but your favorites are your walking/riding toys, your drum, a barn that has a door you can open & close & your big zoo from Nana & Papa

What we are looking forward to:

*Florida trip in February

*hopefully visiting your new baby cousin in July! 

Mini Birthday Party

Greyson's official birthday was December 9th, 2011. 

We planned a big party with all the family during the week of Christmas because most likely this is the only birthday party my parents & family will get to attend. They usually don't come to our house in December, but these last 2 years have been extra special. The first time was when Greyson was born & my mom stayed 3 weeks & left the day before New Years...this year they came specifically for G's birthday party but we set the date for the week of Christmas so my brother & his wife would be off off work. It worked out quite well! 

Of course we had a mini party on his real birthday because I just couldn't let the day go by without some recognition.

His birthday fell on Sunday, so we he got all dressed up for church. Then we went to Mimi & G'pa's house for dinner & to celebrate Greyson & Uncle Ben's birthdays. Uncle Ben's birthday was on Monday, Dec. 10th.

Greyson thought it was so funny that Uncle Ben's candles wouldn't blow out...=)

Then it was time for Greyson's little cake...he really dug into this one!

He was more interested in roaming around than opening some of his birthday presents, but we got lots of cute things that went along with his big birthday theme...Sock Monkeys! 

We just can't believe Greyson is already 1 year old...it seems like these months just flew by & he has grown into quite the little man =) 

It was a good "mini" party celebrating the day he was born! 

Christmas Fun!

Leading up to Christmas, we made a stop to the Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. This was technically Greyson's second time to visit Santa (from a different location) & he did relatively well with the first one. He was smiley & pleasant during the photos...unfortunately he did not feel the same about THIS Santa...poor guy! Our second visit was a bust...

Afterwards we got him calmed down by riding the carousel...even if he does look a little uncertain.

HA making his "fishy" face at the fish.

"OOOooo" he liked this bear...

We did some Christmas shopping (for the men in our lives) & spent time with some friends that we met there. It's always a fun store to go in...lots to see & keep the attention of little ones!

Later in the week, we had a Christmas party with our little play date friends! 

There were lots of little ones this time & of course...Greyson had to be the center of attention.

He got his little friend Grant, on the left end, to chime in later with all their waving & clapping...it was so cute but of course I missed getting a picture of them both in action.

Everyone brought something to snack on & a white elephant gift for mommies & babies. 

It was a lot of fun to see what everyone got & we came home with some pretty cute things! 

Greyson likes little girls & shared this ball toy with his new friend =)

Nicole was a great host (pictured) & has the perfect house to let these little ones roam! We have lots of fun going to her house! 

Another day, we met our friends at Chick fil a & then went to the Pell City Coffee Company to taste test their cupcakes for Greyson's upcoming birthday party!

It is so cute there & the cupcakes were amazing!

It was decorated so cute for Christmas =)

Hanging out with his best buddy Jace...ringing the bells on the door.

 I love these things & if anyone ever needs a recommendation for a party...here it is! 

I got a jump start on stockings & filled them during the week instead of the night before Christmas...we had so much going on I was afraid I would forget everything!

Matt's stocking (with a new lead line for his horse hanging out) in Auburn colors =)

And I just LOVE Greyson's chevron stocking! 

We got the little horse on his first visit to the Dixie Stampede when we went to Pigeon Forge, TN. I got the stockings last year from a sweet lady on Etsy & picked out each fabric. Mine is a pretty green damask style & I'm thinking about having our names embroidered on them, or just tying a neat initial on the ribbon & letting it dangle over the white...we will see.

My BIG Christmas present this year from Matt was a china cabinet!

I have been looking for a white "shabby chic" piece ever since we got married...I just happened to see this cabinet on a marketplace site people in our area use to sell everything you can imagine!

It was very decently priced & with in driving distance...so we brought it home =)

It is exactly what I have been looking for...lightly distressed & big enough for all my "stuff"

Of course this meant we had to do a little rearranging... 

 ...in the living room. We moved my big corner piece in there & it looks really nice. Plus..it seems a little crowded, but better than an empty corner! 

Other than a few other Christmas parties, I have been in Birthday mode!! I got my gifts wrapped early & had all of them done a couple weeks before Christmas =)

I put all of the gifts under the living room tree so that Greyson wouldn't bother them...funny story about  that...but I'll have to fill you in on that over my Christmas Day post =)

I love this time of year...all the activities spent with family & friends & remembering the true reason for the season...Jesus Christ our Lord.