Lion King Party DIY

I am lucky enough to have the most creative, talented, DIY queen of a mother. I have an idea, I tell her and she makes it. Usually 10 times better than what I had in mind. Ben's first Birthday party was no exception. 

Here are some of the amazing things my mom made for the party.

Screen printed Lion cushion for tiny party guests.

 

Photo Booth Props - Simba, Nala and Pumba headpiece and tail

 

Birthday Boy Lion Cub outfit

 

One cookies

Lion King 1st Birthday

This post is way overdue. But it has taken a bit of time to gather all the photographs from the grandma's my brother and everyone else with a camera.

They say one year olds don't really understand birthdays yet, they don't appreciate the day. That a first birthday is mainly for the family.  Well the look on my little guys face as everyone sang happy birthday is a memory I will cherish forever. He may not know what the day was for but he definitely knew it was for him and enjoyed every minute of it. So NO, a first birthday isn't just a formality for the family.

I decided on the Lion King theme way back when he was about 3/4 months old. Hakuna Matata was playing on the TV and my little dude gave his first proper laugh out loud giggle as he stared wide eyed at the television. He loved Pumba and Timon. Shortly after my dad bought him a Pumba stuff toy and the deal was sealed.  Also Lion King is my favourite Disney movie.

My mom made all the gorgeous and delicious animal themed biscuits and they were a big hit with the kids.

 

Ben's birthday is in August a month notorious for it's stormy weather.  The week Ben was born the whole Western Cape basically flooded and I was so worried we'd have to deal with the same the week of his birthday. Luckily the bad weather held out for the week after and we ended up having the most perfect, very hot, day.  Not a breath of wind, which is weird for Strand/Somerset West.  We decided to have the party at my aunt and uncles brand new house (they moved in 2 weeks before the party) as they had a large undercover area outside in case of bad weather. 

 

 

 

 

Games and entertainment for the kids are crucial. It doesn't have to be expensive hiring of clowns and jumping castles. We had a plastic slide from Mambo's and lots of those colourful crazy store balls and the kids loved it.

 

 

 

 

It truly was one of the best days of my life.  I loved seeing my little guy run around playing with all the little party guests, sampling all the sweet treats with icing all over his face. The astonishment and curiosity as gifts were opened and tiny fingers exploring every single gift.  It was a day made of 100% happiness.

 

 

My tips for a 1st Birthday party:

 

- There will be lots of running around the morning of the party, picking up balloons, setting up   tables, getting food sorted. Its a little crazy. Make sure you appoint someone beforehand that will be in charge of getting the guest of honour down for a pre party nap, getting his bottle in and changing diapers.  You will not have time. And that pre party nap is crucial.

 

- Make sure you have enough food for the grown ups. After the complete rush of getting their kids ready and out the door on time for your party will mean you have starving parents.

 

-  We had wine, champagne and beer for the grown ups but if like us you have lots of breastfeeding moms attending remember the ice tea and water.

 

- MOST IMPORTANTLY do what makes you happy. Kids parties have become the topic of lots of gossipy moms. You get tuned for either not making a big enough deal of it or for making too big a deal. "Party packs and favours oh my gosh what a waste of money" or "That party must have cost her a fortune. So over the top" This is your child's birthday so you do what you want. First birthdays only come around once.

 

 

 

Keep an eye out for PART 2: All about the party DIY'S

Bye bye August, Hello Spring!

Happy Spring day! My favourite month. No wait, December is my favourite month, but September is a close second.

August was all about new beginnings, big moments and crazy emotions.

You see 31 July I finished my temp job, Ben had his last day at Daycare, a place we grew rather fond of, and we moved from Stellenbosch to Strand. It was the most exhausting day. That night when I fell into bed between all the boxes I was all goodbye'd out.

Our little 2 bedroom house gave us 6 years of awesomeness.  The main reason we got the house was because of the amazing backyard. We have wanted to get a dog for so long. A month after moving in we got our Golden Retriever Knox and he immediately proceeded to steal hearts and destroy said backyard.  During those 6 years in our house we got engaged, married, husband started and then 3 years later closed his own business, had many Christmas parties in the backyard with fairy lights and a fire, had a baby and became a family of 3 (4 if you count the fur baby). It was Ben's first home even though he will never remember it.  Thanks for the memories little house. You did us good.

Then on 12 August my baby boy became my toddler boy. This means we took our last Hippo photo this year.  Taking Hippo photo's has become such a big part of our month that I cannot believe its over.  Towards the end it became such a big mission, he just would not sit still but I am so very very happy that we kept going.  If you only take one bit of advice from this 'new' mom let it be this: Take a monthly pic of your baby for the first year. It is something you will treasure always.

On 16th of August we had a Lion King birthday party for Ben. Organizing a birthday party while moving into a new house was rough. I felt like crying a few times. I was just feeling so overwhelmed by all the boxes looking at me while I was baking cupcakes and making cake toppers. But I am so glad I took a time out from unpacking to do the party. The look on his face as the little party guests sang 'Happy Birthday' made it so worth it. It really was one of the best days ever.

So August, thanks for all the excitement. It was a wild ride. Here's to spring braai's at our new house and my Birthday. Man I love birthdays.

Big love

I have been wanting to write this post everyday since last week Tuesday the 12th of August when my gorgeous baby boy turned one, but finding the right words to describe the emotions I was feeling seemed impossible and too big a task and I just didn't have the guts to even try. But this blog is about things I love so how could I not post about  this very special day.

It's been a week filled with so many highs. Having your baby turn one is a BIG BIG deal.

Tuesday night after a day of opening gifts, going to the beach, eating an ice cream, going to the doctor, many kisses and lots of giggles I fell into bed exhausted, yet I did not want to close my eyes because then the day would be over.  I wanted Ben's first birthday to last as long as possible. For how many times to you get to celebrate your first baby turning ONE. I carefully played the day out in my mind.  I grabbed my phone and scrolled through all the photo's of the day. And then suddenly it dawned on me that a year ago at that very moment I was lying in a hospital bed praying for pain killers, disappointed that my birth plan did not go the way I wanted and too emotionally overwhelmed to fully understand what just happened. Even now a year later I still don't think I've fully processed it all. I went through the most scary 30 + minutes of my life dressed in an awkward hospital gown in a sterile room not being able to feel anything from the waist down and came out the other end a mom.

Looking at Ben now I cannot believe there was a time I sat infront of his cot in the middle of the cold wintery night crying thinking "We made a mistake. We're not ready for a baby. What do I do now" But I know that if I could go back in time I would not change a thing. I love this little person so so much. It is a love I just cannot put in to word. Its just too big. Yes being a mom is filled with frustrating moments and very little sleep.  I don't even know what having 'me time' means anymore. My skin and weight has suffered under limited care and some days I feel like I have lost a little bit of who I am, but still I would not change a thing. I have fully embraced the sticky peanut butter hands being smeared all over my clothes or the little snot nose nuzzling into my neck.  I have fully embraced not having time to put on a full face of make up or trying on outfit after outfit till I find the right one.

I am a mom. And I love it.

Early morning. Opening gifts

I see little newborns now and I cannot think that the busy, walking, dancing, clapping smiley little toddler running around my house unpacking all my cupboards started out that tiny. You will always hear moms say "They grow up so fast. I wish I could just pause time" It is so very true.  The year has just flown by and even 10 days into having a One year old boy, I still cannot believe I have a one year old boy.

Birthday boy at the beach

Birthday Dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's

Happy first birthday dear Ben. It's been a wild ride. Here's to many more adventures. You have filled our life's with purpose and we are so very thankful for you.  We love you to the moon and back.