March 9, 2011

Oaklen's Vintage Circus Birthday Party [pt. 1]

I wanted to do more of a vintage type of theme rather than the original circus theme party. I just love the softer colors and decorations of it all. I'm not a big fan of the bright primary colors, clowns, cartoon animals type of circus. Something older guests could enjoy as well. I think, with the immense amount of help from my mom and sister, we nailed it on the head.

But holy moly!! How do mothers do this each year with their children?! I am just not cut out for the party planning business. Which is why I kept reminding myself to hire someone to do it all for me from here on out.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my projects. I want it to be the best it can possibly be, no mistakes or flaws. Funny that I'm also the worlds greatest procrastinator. Perfectionist + Procrastinator = Never getting exactly what you had set out for.

I was left rushing around like a crazy person on the day of his party, trying to get the last minute details done that I thought would only take me an hour, tops. When everyone started arriving and I was still worrying about this or that, Straton came up to me and very sweetly reminded me that it's all about Oaklen. This is his day. We needed to just sit back and enjoy it all.
I can't say I actually stopped running from here to there, but I DID remember to enjoy it.
Remembering every expression Oaklen made while opening his presents.
Or the way he pinched at his cake like a little crab, with his sweet little fingers.
Or how he sat watching all the other kids play with his new toys, not caring that he hadn't yet, because he was just happy to be where he was.

It was an exhausting/fast/emotional/fun/grateful kind of day, and we couldn't be happier with the way things turned out. We're so thankful Oaklen will be able to look back at these pictures one day and see the love from family and friends.
And that's how a first birthday should be.
One heck of a celebration.


-The snack table-


-decorations-



-opening presents-



-this is Oak's "squeeze" face he learned a couple weeks ago-



---The party's just getting started! Stay tuned for part 2.

4 comments:

rlutz said...

You did such a great job with the party...Oaklen looks so happy!

Lauren and Carter said...

He looks so big and grown up while opening presents. :) Everything looks beautiful, you're amazing!

Anonymous said...

LOVE it! You did so great!

Molly M said...

Man Lauren, your Oaklen is a total cutie. Cant wait till our babies meet each other...someday...