First Birthday Party-Recap

Here I am finally writing this post, and only three weeks later..if someone can explain how life gets away from me so quickly, that would be great! We threw Jackson's first birthday party the weekend before his actual birthday, and it turned out great! I had been thinking over the past few months on what kind of birthday party I wanted to throw him, and at the top of my list was small and casual. Not a ton of people, not a huge commotion, but I definitely still wanted to pull together a theme and some fun ideas. Those of you who know me also know that 'themey' rooms, clothing, parties, and anything else is not my cup of tea (note: anything with sayings or characters on it that my child owns were not purchased by me). I know that one day I will have a little boy who looks at me with stars in his eyes asking for a Ninja Turtles or super hero birthday party, and I will happily oblige. But, until then, I am having fun coming up with themes for my little man that are detailed with his mama's taste!

For his birthday party, I don't even know in particular what I would call his theme, as I pulled in a couple of ideas from different areas.  50's, rock and roll. A little bit of classic diner. Summer barbeque. Ultimately, I suppose the theme wrapped up was just the 50's in a nutshell. We had old records for decorations, microphone cupcakes, barbecue chicken sandwiches, and pop 'rocks' and 'rock' candy (get it, wink wink). And, of course, classic coke and some red Jone's Soda for some extra flair.

 The birthday boy and grandpa

 Jax and grandma

 Homemade record banner

 Microphone cupcakes

 Little man and his godparents

 Lots (as in way too much) of sugar

 Help opening presents from cousin Logan

 Baby's first ride

 Practicing for his driver's test

 Logan loves helping him out, just holding his water for him.

One of the best parts of him digging into the cake was how completely nonchalant he was about the whole thing. He just took a handful, shoved it in his mouth, and looked at everyone as if he was thinking "what, I do this all the time". He crashed for a long nap after we cleaned up and headed home, and so did mom and dad.

The day was just great and our little man was spoiled and loved up on. We are so blessed to have the family that we do and little boy that we get to watch grow up. Let them be little, and let them eat cake!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! I worked a few long days this week and am rocking my Fridat not at the office. Can I get an amen!? I am totally stoked that fall is on the horizon and am feeling all sorts of motivated lately. Like all Friday's, I am linking up with these lovely ladies today.

 

Five on Friday // Oh Hey Friday! // Friday Favorites // Friday Favorites

1. Fall scented candles

I got the following image in an email and my heart literally skipped a beat.

I am so ridiculously excited to start lighting up my fall candles. It is finally getting cooler at night where I don't feel like a hypocrite running the air conditioning all the while lighting candles...bring on the pumpkin, apples, and spice that are fall! 

2. Cooler temps

Speaking of fall weather, we had a major cold front come through this week and we have been rocking some 60 degree weather in Minnesota. Despite some gloomy rain, I couldn't love it more. Sweaters and boots for life, am I right? It's back up into the 80's this weekend, but I am going to enjoy our final warm days before my favorite season officially sets in.

3. This vest

I have been seeing this baby all over blog-land and am thinking I might pull the plug and actually buy it. What are everyone else's thoughts? Is it worth the purchase? 

4. Pencil skirts. Working ladies, does any outfit make you look and feel more pulled together than a good pencil skirt? They are my favorite when I have to dress to impress and leave me office for meetings ;-) I just picked up this one at target and am seriously continually impressed by the quality of their skirts; my favorite black one has held up for years from there! 

5. Just loving the cuteness of my little man. Photo dump time, you have been warned. 

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Show and Tell Tuesday: High School

This is a fun post today for Show and Tell Tuesday that I am excited to link up on. It is always so much fun to learn a little behind the scenes information about bloggers, especially as this little space can quite often become where we paint our 'perfect picture' of life. I mean, really, I argue with my husband, get frustrated about my job, and have days where I can cry on command. Life is real. Here on the blog, though, I (and I venture to guess most of us) like to capture and share the best moments, and eliminate the bad. Who would rant to read my blog if I complained about my husband procrastinating on cleaning the basement like I have asked 87 times ;-)
I am excited to share a bit about how I was in high school, which I am sure in many ways shaped the person that I am today. It is so crazy to reflect on how life was in high school, and how far removed from that life we become as we grow into real life adults, which jobs, and kids, and responsibilities. Ahh, to be young again.

This picture is from homecoming my freshman year. Literally, the start of it all right here. Those ladies were two of my best friends, and I have lots of memories with both of them. We all took different paths in life and are only in touch a bit, but it is so fun to look back and see how things used to be. We were just starting out with everything; boys, our careers, everything was just beginning at this time.

This girl was a huge part of my high school life. We met in driver's training, and the rest was history. We were joined at the hip and pretty much inseparable. She went on to date this guy, who just so happened to be brothers with this guy...

So I suppose I have her to thank for, you know, my entire family. Post high school, she dragged me to a softball game, telling me to 'dress cute' because Jeff's brother was going to be there. And six years later, the man is still mine.
Back on track to high school, what consumed nearly all of my time and energy outside of the classroom, was dance team.

This sweet soul is still an important lady in my life, and I am blessed to still have her around. She is actually the maid of honor in my brother-in-laws wedding next summer to another fantastic lady we went to high school with. Small town, small world. It is so funny to see how things work out as we grow up.

Literally, dance was my life. And after I graduated, my sister joined the team, and it was still my life. I just love, love, love dance team. Don't necessarily miss the practices, though ;-)

One of the most exciting things I did in high school was go on a student trip to Italy. It was quite the experience, to say the least, but I would go back in a heartbeat, and to this day am so very glad I did it.

That last picture is with my friend Ally (yes, we are tiny and you can barely see us..) who was in my wedding and is still one of my closest friends. We love to look back on Italy and reminisce to this day.

And, to cap off this post, obviously I have to top it off with prom and graduation.

The cutie in the orange tux is my cousin. We grew up together and have so many memories. We are only three months apart in age, so we were the best of buddies when we were little :-)

These last two pictures sum up senior year. Great friends, and the love of my life puppy. I remember feeling so grown up, but life was literally just beginning. High school was trying, frustrating, and difficult at times, but looking back, there are so many happy memories that I am smiling as I reflect on :-) I really don't know if there was anything sweeter than being 16!