Bennett's Beach Bash--First Birthday!!!

A year ago (ok...before B was even born!), I would have SWORN up and down that I would not have a big first birthday for my child because a) They wouldn't remember it, and b) I hate planning parties!  Well, let me just eat my words because of course we had a birthday party for Bennett!  How could we not???  (Just love how becoming a parent can change your mindset!)

We wanted to get/make Bennett a sand box as his bday present from us, so out of that came the idea that we'd have a beach bash so kids could play in the sand.  We have a pool, so it made it that much easier for this pathetic party planning mom!  The sand box soon turned into a place to bury pirate's coins and fill with cheap, plastic sand toys that barely made it through the day!  :)

Then of course, I had to find a birthday shirt to match the theme:

Then, I had to search Pinterest and anywhere else I could think of for cute, easy to make, cheap beach party ideas.  Here's what it came down to:

Buckets with goggles, snacks, and bubbles for favors.

My version of a banner--color printer is out of ink, so my handwriting was the next best thing at 9pm when I worked on decorations!

Aunt Danyah made some yummy cupcakes and I put them on spray painted platters on top of vases filled with bubble gum...mmm.....  I even made a few cupcake toppers with scrapbook supplies!  Thank goodness I saved stuff even though I mainly do digital scrapping now!

And of course...the guests!  My sisters were both in town at this time, so all the cousins first got together for the very first time at the party!  Jeff's sister/niece came in as well to love on the birthday boy and help us celebrate!  This was the year of the babies for my friends, and most of Bennett's gal-pals and buddies were able to make it!

Cake time!  Side note:  do not get the colors orange, green, and blue put together on icing that will be smashed.  It looked like baby poop when all was said and done!  But, B seemed to enjoy getting his hands dirty--and then promptly washed off!

Bennett--you have been such a joy to love this year!  We're so glad you made us parents and we are always amazed at how much fun it is to be with you and watch you grow!  What, oh what will you get into in your 2nd year of life???

Fun Times

What a whirlwind July was!

Week One: With Jeff's family in Florida
Week Two: Training for me/housework for Jeff
Week Three: Housework/whatever for both of us
Week Four: With my family in North Carolina, College Station, and Cuero

And now it's August! And school starts officially for me on the 13th---with 8--count them--8---days of staff development. Katy ISD is very proud that it's teachers are "well-trained". Well....that and eventually not paying attention by day 4 of staff development b/c we haven't been into our classrooms to do anything yet and are sitting there making lists upon lists upon lists.....

Getting to see NC family was great. Olivia is an absolute chatterbox (must be a family trait?????) and Nicholas is an adorable red-head who makes little old man faces! I only wish they lived closer b/c they're so much fun and boy would Aunt Steph and Aunt Coco REALLY spoil them! My cousin Tory's wedding in B/CS was great--fun to see all the extended family that could make it. (If you want to see some pics, click on the link on the side that is JBHickerson or something--Jae's got them posted and I have no desire to find my camera at the moment!) We also celebrated our August birthdays (Court--14th; Ash--16th; me--29th) yesterday with mom and dad, so that was just more fun! I especially like it since I was always the last birthday and hated knowing what I was getting if someone got us all the same thing! Now it's a race to see who can open "the zebra bag" or "the tissue paper" the fastest and spoil it for all! (Yes, we still do that and we still complain about it!).

This weekend in Cuero was our engagement party and we had a great time! I didn't realize how nervous I actually was about all this stuff beginning (you see....I couldn't think about it until after Tory's was done). Now....we're down to 222 days (I think....I base it on what the WeddingChannel.com tells me!). But.....I got to see a lot of my dad's family, and even some high school/college/out of college friends that I hadn't seen in a while and it was great---not to mention the good 'ol Cuero crowd that supports me! Both of Jeff's sets of parents and a few siblings were able to come also, and I'm so excited that they all got to meet my side and see how we do it down in Cuero!

So now---we're off like a herd of turtles to get things planned!

By the way....if anyone reading this has engagement party pics, please send them.....I didn't take ANY with my camera and I'm so sad!