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.

Almost one

I am big on celebrating special occasion. Planning parties is like a Lindt Chocolate Brownie slab while watching Orange is the new Black on a rainy afternoon for my soul.  I love coming up with themes, doing the décor, creating a playlist and playing host.  Like Monica from Friends  “I am always the host”

So you can imagine the level of excitement about planning my baby boy’s first birthday party (except for the fact that the idea of him turning 1 is kind of a mood killer. How did my baby grow up so fast?)  But let me tell you, planning a first birthday party is a whole new ball game.  It might even be more stressful than planning a wedding. Why do I say that? Not because I’m one of those over the top kiddie party moms who fly in Charlize Theron to greet guests at the door. It’s because when planning a wedding you don’t have to work around nap times.  Deciding on the perfect time of day to have the party has been driving me bonkers.

For most parents with babies who nap at the same time every single day this might be piece of cake but when there’s too much excitement around Ben he will fight a nap till someone becomes an over tired cry baby and that someone is usually me.  So over weekends with family or friends visiting there’s no such thing as a definite nap TIME.

Next up is venue worries. I envisioned this lovely garden party with little one’s running around the green grass. Obviously forgetting the fact that baby boy’s birthday is beginning of August and that last year the week he was born the whole Western Cape flooded. So indoor venue it’ll be.
We move into our new house 2 weeks before the party and there is just no way that it’ll be ready (or big enough) to host the party.  Party venues in my area all cater to older kids or when booking the venue you are forced to also take their overpriced boring party packs. No thanks.

Problem number 3. Guest list.  Our close friends are mostly single or newly married.  The friends with babies/kids we will be inviting don't really know each other. If you count the kids with their parents, our childless close friends and our families we are standing at 60 guests. Way to much for a kiddies party.  So we had to cut our close friends from the guest list.  This breaks my heart.

See my problem.