Friday, January 31, 2014

Brody's 1st Birthday Lumberjack Shindig

Since it's Flashback Friday and Brody-man is about to turn the big 0-2 this February, I decided to reminisce on Brody's first birthday and share some photos.

Holy shizz yall, I can't believe he's about to be 2! Next thing I know, it will be his first day of kindergarten and then college. HA! I feel like he'll be hollering that he hates me while slamming his bedroom door next week. And, I'll get that "Mom-you're-embarrassing-me" look and I'll be like "do you remember how amaze balls your first birthday was!? Um, yeah. I DID THAT. OK, me and some help from your grandparents, but you should re-think your attitude bud."

So before he's 14 and rolling his eyes at me, let me enjoy remembering his first birthday for my sweet baby boy...

I'd been looking for some great ideas for party themes six months prior to Brody's birthday. If you don't know me or my family (meaning my mom and sister), then we are the type of gals who see something we like and then we figure out a way to imitate and make it our own. We are pretty creative (or at least they are!), and when we don't just 'throw' something together. I mean we have, but we work our butts off the nights, days and weeks prior.

Parties, weddings, kids costumes, (ok with the exception of this year for B's halloween costume--he was John Wayne and it was last minute; like literally day of...), baby and wedding showers--you name it, we've done it!

I had a few runner-ups when it came to themes, but I decided to go with something I'd never seen or
known anyone to do--LUMBERJACK!

I got my inspiration from The Cake Blog, who featured a lumberjack party. Brody loves being outside, so I figured it suited him well!

Once my decision for the party was in full force, my M-I-L and F-I-L had some left over tree trunks they cut up and lacquered for me to use as cake stands and table decor. We bought some little chalkboard signs at First Monday, plaid fabric and we were off prepping for a Lumberjack party our little man would have a blast at.

Luckily, my mom and dad's house is lodge-like and woodsy, so she had plenty of decor lying around the house that we could use.

CAKE Catastrophe

The night before the party, I went to pick up the cake and came back crying. I ordered it from Brookshire's and had shown them a photo of this gorgeous cake with a sky blue top with clouds and the bottom was green with spray-painted mountains. I told them not to worry about the decor on the cake image (which was camping-themed), we'd handle that, but I just needed the backdrop.

I SPECIFICALLY SAID, if they couldn't do that then just get it a solid color.

Well, I went to pick it up and it was a mess. It looked absolutely awful. Brody could have made it prettier. No offense, Bro! It was NOTHING like I wanted. The people at Brookshire's could tell I was upset and gave me a discount, but I needed a cake.

I took it home and my mom started working on it and blended it all so it was solid green. I was literally a basket case the whole time.

She added some decor we had and it turned out great! Thanks, Mom!

The party was as off-the-chain as a one year old's party can be. People sported their flannel, he kids had a blast in the bounce house and surprisingly everyone made their own ax at the ax-making station. All in all, it was a pretty epic first birthday party complete without a birthday boy meltdown! Not sure how that happened, but hey I was thankful.

At the end of the night, Brody hadn't had a nap all day and started to fall asleep sitting up in Da da's lap. Yup, he had fun.







Made my Joni
Painted lumberjack backdrop: Made by my Mama

Flannel family.

Flannel Lumberjack Backdrop


My father-in-law, M-I-L and Nanny with Brody Jack!
My mom and Dad with Brody. 
All the kiddos. 
My bearded friends. 
My grandparents! Moo Moo and Papa (Jack) w/ Brody Jack!
Cake time!

















Flannel family

Custom invitation and printed graphics - Made by Tricia
Tree Stump Cake Stands - homemade
Chalkboard signs on cake table - First Monday
Chalkboard Writing/giant backdrop art - My Mom, Joni
Happy Birthday Banner - homemade
Cake - Brookshire's made it, but it was hideous so we re-iced it and decorated ourselves.
ALL Material - Purchased at JoAnn's Fabric
Moss Table Runner - Hobby Lobby
All Moose, Bear and Camping/Woods decor - Pulled from my mom's house! 

Wishing all the parents creative, fun bday adventures this year! 


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Hello 2014 --from the most inconsistent blogger ever

I can't believe it's 2014. It's crazy to think I started this whole blogging thing nearly two years ago, and to be honest I'm disappointed at how inconsistent I've been. Boo!

Bottom line: I really love doing this, I need to stick with it this year and I'm totally going to this time.

Stephanie and Me NYE 2014So now, I'm considering getting my blog custom designed, thanks to my longtime BFF, Stephanie, who has a fashion-driven blog (GO CHECK IT OUT!). But she blogs on Blogger, and I've had to switch from Wordpress to use the fella who crafted her beautifully designed blog.

Other things that are soon to come: A NEW and IMPROVED blog name. I need help. I'm terrible at headlines... I'm open to suggestions people! Speak up! Do you like the new name?

Beyond my needing to improve things on the blog, I should try to update you on my life. I'm still staying at home with my little love, Brody Jack. My days consist of watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks" three times a day, cleaning the house, doing my wifely chores and changing diapers (I'm scared to start potty training! EEK!). And, I have all three movies now, so that helps my sanity but it's all he wants to watch. What's sad about this "Alvin and the Chipmunks" phase is I catch myself talking in movie quotes from the movies. Seriously! It's awful. And I constantly have the songs on replay in my head; they just won't leave.

But if I need Brody to sit still while I do a few things around the house, it works. He absolutely loves it, so I guess it's a win, win.

This little guy has been a hoot-and-a-half lately. If you don't follow me on Instagram, you should at Casswhite21. I always post videos and pics of our lil fella.

He's talking up a storm, saying new words everyday. I'm starting to notice new things he says or does or points out to me daily. It's crazy to see how much he absorbs and how quickly it happens. I'll try to keep you guys up-to-date with the latest!

Cheers to a new year and a more consistent blogger,