Addison Birthday Party

A few weeks ago we had Addison's 1st Birthday party. When Mason turned 1 we had all of our family and friends over for a indoor party, but it was fairly low key compared to this party. I knew when we started thinking about Addison's party I wanted to think of Mason and most of our friends kiddos. Most are 3 and older and I knew would not be okay just sitting eating food, cake, and watching Addison open gifts. We didn't have a party for Mason this year, since he got to go skiing for his birthday, so it was almost like his party too. 

We did a carnival theme. Addison being the Ring Master. I got on Pinterest and found some ideas and got to making games and fun items for the party. I am big on DIY. We ended up with a face painter and a bounce house. The bounce house was curtesy of our babysitter/nanny. Both items were a HUGE hit with the bigger kids. Mason jumped in the bounce house until it was dark. 

Here is a picture of all the decorations. We made a bag toss game and a picture board with a lion and ringmaster out of wood. They were fun to paint. My family are all really good artists and I have always been able to take an idea and they will draw it and then I color or paint it. This time M took care of the drawing for me and I painted them. It took me probably two days to complete all the painting. We have a popcorn machine for our media room, so we brought it down. I order cracker jacks, cotton candy, and animal crackers for the kids. We also tried to keep with the theme going for food and had corndogs and nachos. I was surprised how many adults ate the corndogs. I really had them thinking the kids would like them over the nachos. Apparently parents too. 

 The kids all had a blast. Our initial plans were to have the party in our backyard. But it rained and rained and rained all week and really it was raining up until the party time. I was afraid we would all be stuck in the garage. Luckily the sun came out and the bounce house got blown up. The party was in our front yard. I was waiting for all the neighborhood kids to come join in on the fun.

Addison was so sleepy as the party went onward. She goes to bed at 6:30 most nights, and her party was from 4-6, so the closer 6 came the sleepier she was and would just lay on me.

The face painter was AMAZING!!! I really think I want her at every party we ever have from now on. The kids loved it and she was goooooood. Addison, as you can tell, was a little nervous about getting painted. She was nervous the entire party and would only go to me, Michael or my parents. I was surprised that she would go to my Dad. She normally won't stay with him long, but I think there were just too many people for her. I loved seeing them love on her, but I had to stay back or she would throw herself to me. She is totally a Mama's girl and I love it.  I wish I had stopped every kiddo and gotten a picture of their faces, but here are a few I caught.

The party was a lot of fun. It was a lot of work, but I loved every minute of planning and watching all of the kids have so much fun. I am always thinking about the next party we could throw. It is fun to see kids faces (not just my own kids) light up in excitement and having fun.

I think next year, we will probably be taking Mason skiing again, but I am thinking at 4 and on he will probably tell us what kind of party he wants to have and who he wants to invite if he has one. And once the kids are in elementary school I figure all of our parties will be kid driven not me driven. I will enjoy it a few more years with Addison.

Addison 12 Months

Weight: 19lbs. She is my tiny little monkey. She sits right on the average timeline.

Height: 29.75" I am thinking she is at 30" even but she was not having getting measured at the doctor.

Clothes: We are officially in 12m clothing. YAY! I finally feel like she is growing. Hopefully she doesn't spike and spike and spike like her brother did. I am enjoying having a little baby.

Eats: AddieMo is no longer on bottles. She drinks a lactose free milk and seems to be doing good. She might drink 12oz of milk a day and 3 meals plus a snack.

Sleeps: Still sleeping like a champ! 6:30pm-7am. On the weekends she will sleep until 8:00AM if we let her. It is crazy to me.

Likes: Addison likes to point. I feel like she wants me to tell her what everything is right now. She grabs things and holds them up to me asking what's that...in her own terms. She is a watcher and doer. We have to be careful or she will try something she sees us or brother doing.

Dislikes: She is still a fearful child. At her birthday party she was only okay with Me, my Mom , Michael and even my Dad. Normally she isn't a huge fan of going to my Dad so I think he quite enjoyed extra snuggles. She hates people outside of Michael and Me.

Teeth: 5 teeth. She now has 6 teeth.

Saying: Mama, Dada, Bubba, Gah Gah (Gabby), Mah Mah (More) Nana, Papa, Tank ooouu,

What's New: Into everything!!!! Nothing is safe in our house. Nothing!!! She is way worse than her brother ever was with cabinets. I might be locking everything up high or child locking everything.

One year has come and gone...