Ty's 1st Birthday - Let's Have a Ball Party

Oh, we totally did have a ball. 

It was just so much fun. I am still trying to take it all in. 

 In the end, all that matters is that Ty turned one and we celebrated him. 

 He was amazing the entire night and stayed up way past his bedtime and smiled the entire time despite waking up with a little cold and runny nose. (doesn't that always happen on their birthdays?) 

 It was surreal singing happy birthday to Ty because I remember it being Kinley in that high chair such a short time ago. I could not be more thankful for my sweet babies and I am so thankful that we have blogs and digital pictures and ways to document our memories of these special occasions. 

 The decorations were so simple and just a few things made an impact. 

 All I really did was hang some balls from the ceiling, string the styrofoam ball garland on fishing line, sew together some circle punch out garland, and make a happy birthday banner with my silhouette. Gum balls also added a fun pop in my apothecary jar and hot glued on a cardboard number one. 

 And that was all the decorations....except, of course, I had to add his month-by-month birthday picture banner.  

The party favors included bubbles, bouncy balls, ball-shaped candy, and gum balls. All inside these amazing colorful favor balls that I found at party city. So perfect! The food was also all in the "ball" theme. We had cheese balls, cheeto puff balls, grapes, balled watermelon, cake balls, meatballs, sausage balls, etc. 

   

Mendy made an amazing ball shaped smash cake for Ty. I really have the best cake person ever. She customizes for me for every party and is always up for the challenge. She also made some cupcakes which we topped off with gum balls.
 

And I had to make Ty a t-shirt for his big day. I love a long sleeved tee. That day it was rainy and actually got cool so I am glad it was long-sleeved.  

 The night could NOT have been half of what it was without Maverick. He let us borrow his "jump jump" bounce house that we loaded down with bouncy balls, and two ball pits and all his ball pit balls. It really helped make our ball theme! Thank you! Confession time...I really tried to tone it down with the invite list for Ty's party. 

 I knew it was going to be on a Friday night and I didn't want everyone invited to feel obligated to come after a long week and I just feel like I am asking so many people to come to parties all the time with my birthday and all of Kinley's party. I just felt guilty a little inviting anyone but family and friends that Ty sees on a really regular basis. 

 But, then the day of the party came and I was so sad that I didn't just invite everyone! I missed so many people and was second-guessing myself...I mean, people can decide whether they want to come or not, right!? 

 Just because they get the invite doesn't mean they are forced to come....it was such an inner battle for me. 

 But, I tried to suck it up and remember that this is not about ME and just focus on making it the best for Ty. And he did have SO much fun. 

 We are so blessed with such close family and friends that really know and love Ty. He was a little more reserved than I thought he would be about diving into his smash cake. I mean, this kid eats anything and everything. I think he must have just been a little shy in front of all the people but, once he started in on it...he definitely loved it and ate until I had to pull him away. The kids just played and played and played all night long. They loved jumping, coloring, dressing up, and loved running around the court and riding Kinley's car in the street.  

Opening presents was a total whirlwind. Kinley and some other kids just started ripping things up and I ran over as fast as I could with pen and paper trying to make notes about what all Ty got. It was over in about 2 minutes. 

 I hope I got everything written down!  

Around that time we tried to take a sibling picture and one of them both with me...but, these are the best I got. 

(notice Kinley's like 100th outfit change of the evening) At the end of the night they all decided to have their own "ball" and get dressed up and dance in the study. They all looked and danced beautifully at the ball. It was so fun to witness them all get dressed up to go to the ball.

Happy Birthday to my precious baby boy. 

Your first year has been an absolute dream come true. 

 I am crazy about you and so blessed by knowing you. 

 I love you to pieces.