Julia's First Flamingle

Though Julia's actual birthday was August 7 we waited until this past weekend to full on celebrate her first year. 

Just over two months ago I was slightly stressed as I had no idea what theme would be acceptable for a little lady's first bash. Thankfully, I have some amazing friends who came to the rescue, and the idea of a First Flamingle was quickly born. 

Once decided I took to scouring Pinterest and Etsy for ideas. 

A few weeks worth of prep, a lot of hot glue, several hours spent baking and decorating sugar cookies and cupcakes, and plenty of late nights, led us all up to the big day. 

Party time came and we were joined by several of our closest family and friends. While I know Julia won't remember her day I hope she can look back fondly on these photos and know that it was truly a fun day, and she was surrounded by so many who love her dearly. 

Pardon the horrendous lighting. Trying to snap good photos at 10am was near impossible.
I couldn't handle the brown of the the pool cabana, so I hung up a few white sheets and added hanging fans.
Both the Happy Birthday and Let's Flamingle banners I made simply using construction paper and bakers twine.

I didn't want to do too much on the tables, as I was positive they would get wet - because, pool party.
A quick coat of gold spray paint to pineapples and the table center pieces were done.

I couldn't leave the ledge around the kitchen area bare.
We were gifted the JULIA letters from my friend, Kourtney, whose little girl is also named Julia. Kourtney also sent so many other birthday decorating items to use, including all the paper I used to make the banners.
The tassel garland was made using tissue paper and bakers twine.

The cabana from afar, complete with Marcus and one big flamingo pool float.

Guests were greeted at the pool gate with a small flock of flamingos. Naturally.
My friend Sarah, from Gilded Feather Events, was so kind to let me borrow the large pink and gold flamingos.

The food table was kept fairly simple. A couple of photos of Julia from her cake smash session, a spray painted pineapple, a few rubber duck flamingos, mason jars spray painted pink, and a picture garland of Julia from each month of the last year.

The lighting makes me want to cry.
Thankfully, guests didn't care about lighting and the cookies were a smashing success.

I used THIS RECIPE for the cookies and THIS RECIPE for the icing and decorating techniques.

Summer Brew recipe

These cupcakes turned out so much better than I could have hoped!
I used THIS RECIPE for the cupcakes and THIS RECIPE for the marshmallow filling and frosting.
The flamingo and pineapple toppers came from THIS ETSY shop.
The gold number 1 came from THIS ETSY shop.

The lady of the hour in possibly the best swim suit of all time.

The tassel garland was made with direction from THIS TUTORIAL.
The "one" banner was made from construction paper and bakers twine.

My mother-in-law frosted the cake, and we used the same cupcake and frosting recipes.
The ONE cake banner came from THIS ETSY shop.

Julia did not disappoint and helped herself to a generous portion of frosting.

Our parting bags were simply gold bags secured with flamingo washie tape. Guests took home flamingo beach balls, flamingo bubbles, a flamingo sugar cookie, and flamingo headbands.

Julia with Grandpa and Grandma Dudding (on the left) and Grandpa and Grandma Macke (on the right).

The best part about pool parties? No worries about hair, make up, or what to wear!

Scrolling through our photos, I wish I would have thought to snap more photos of all our guests as they flamingled their way through the party, and I am so bummed I didn't think to get a photo of Julia and Marcus, or of the four of us. However, the party turned out so much better than I could have wished, and even though I came up short of a few photos I hope everyone - birthday girl especially - had a great time.

I have to take a minute to give a serious shout out to my family. Without the help of Scott, my mom, mother-in-law, dad, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, I'm certain my ideas wouldn't have fully come to fruition. To them I give the biggest thank you. 

stuffed flamingo

Here's to start the of planning for birthday number 2! 

M & J Monday

 Sittin' in the morning sun

 I'll be sittin' when the evening comes

Watching the ships roll in

Then I watch them roll away again

 Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Watching the tide roll away

I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay

~Otis Redding

Happy Monday!

Picture Perfect Project {8} - M & J Mondays

Before Julia was born I dedicated every Monday post to Marcus Mondays. When Julia arrived I knew I couldn't stop the tradition and needed to include Julia in on the weekly snapshots. The transition to M & J Mondays was a breeze.

Each week, typically Sunday after church, I gather up the kids, try to find a picturesque location, and do my best to get the kids to interact and smile. And, each week I try to find a meaningful phrase, quote, or song lyrics to accompany a handful of photos collected from our little photo shoots.

With Julia now a year old I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the last year of M & J Mondays.

There's nothing really technical about any of these photos, but they are all near and dear to me.

Without further adieu, a look back on Mondays posts.

It's still mind boggling to me that I took on this little project over a year ago! Getting pictures for each week was interesting, and often times challenging, but I'm so glad I kept at it. I hope one day Marcus and Julia will love looking at these weekly moments as much as I do.

Linking up with some amazing ladies for another PPP! Be sure to add your Picture Perfect Project moments as well!

An InLinkz Link-up

Julia || O N E YEAR

Julia,

My sweet little lady.

Last night I put you to bed as a one-year old. And, it completely overwhelms me.

Perhaps it's because you're such a little thing. Or maybe it's because I'm quite certain you will be our last baby.  But, whatever the reason, you turning one has hit me oh so hard. 

In the last year you've grown into the sweetest thing. Your laughter is contagious, and your smile can light up a room.

You're not walking just yet, but it's not far off. If you're offered a set of hands you will gladly hold on tight and try to walk around on the most wobbly legs. 

You're the quickest little crawler I ever did see, and the steps are by far your favorite obstacle. Cruising the furniture is also a favorite, and you've newly discovered that you can climb up onto couches and chairs. 

 Sleeping through the night is yet to be mastered. But, we've made improvements. There have even been a few nights where you've slept soundly till morning.

Food is your love language. There's not much you won't eat, or at least try. 

Snacks and mealtimes are your favorite, and you'll gladly sit in your chair and munch away for what seems like hours at a time. 

We're still nursing. I thought by your birthday we'd start weaning, but it's not something I'm quite ready to let go of. 

Your brother is your sun and moon. There isn't a moment that passes that you don't seek to be near him. Whatever Marcus is doing you want to do. Wherever Marcus is, you're not too far.

 Marcus has the ability to make you laugh and giggle and smile unlike anyone else. 

 I hope and pray with all my might your sibling bond remains this sweet and strong forever. 

You are the apple of your daddy's eye. Those strong arms of his will always be the safest ones to hold you.

 There's so much I want to write, but I'm at a loss. It's such a bittersweet thing to watch you grow, and it's nearly impossible to accurately describe how wonderful you are with a handful of words.

This last year has been a such fabulous ride. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you. 

Peanut, you're sweet and sassy, spunky and mischievous. You are dramatic and sensitive, snuggly and fiercely working on doing things your way. You are simply and most amazingly you.

 Sweet little lady, thank you so much for bringing us such joy. Thank you for lighting our lives. Thank you for completing our family.

Happy First Birthday, Julia!

I love you to the moon and back. Twice.

Love, Mommy

Stats

Height :: 29.5 inches (70th percentile)

Weight :: 18.11 pounds (20th percentile) - you've done so well the past few months putting weight back on! I was worried as you slipped from 90th percent at weight to just the 5th percent a few months ago. Your love of food has done you well.

Teeth :: 8!

Clothes :: You're all over the board. Sometimes you'll fit just nicely into 6-9 month items (mainly shorts, pants, dresses), while other times you fill out 12-18 month items.

Diapers :: Pampers size 3.