Ladybug Lane

I can't believe it, but Charlotte turned ONE today!  We had a super girly ladybug birthday party that was so much fun.  Of course we have lots of pictures, so get ready to be overwhelmed...

Cake and cake table...

Court came over last night and made the cake while I made the cupcakes.  As most of you know, I am not a very artsy or creative person, so Court's being here for all of the birthday party prep made it a lot less stress and a lot more fun for me!  Thanks Courtney!

Favors...

Decorations and food...

I had these polka dots taped down onto the sidewalk leading up to the house...

I was so excited about this idea because I thought it was super cute, but now I'm a little regretful of doing it at all.  After the party was over, Hunter ran out the front door because my mom and I were on the front porch talking.  He jumped off of the step and slid on one of those circles leading to the biggest injury he's had yet - remember, my son is very timid, so his injuries have been minimal, but I still felt TERRIBLE.  He skinned up his knee and elbow pretty bad and was so sad that he wanted me to hold him all the way until nap time, which of course, I loved.  He was also really brave though, so we were so proud of him!

Anyway. 

Back to the party...more decorations and food...

I made these signs with pictures for each month like I did at Hunter's first birthday party...

And when I say I made, I mean I picked out some pictures and slapped them on some paper so my much more talented and creative work friend, Jennifer, could write on them.  So basically, she did all of the hard work, but I'll still take some of the credit if you want to tell me how cute they are.  I did make the baby, you know...with a little help from James...oh, yeah, and God.

As you can see, we took the ladybug theme very seriously;)

My family was the first to get here - which was good because I was setting up right until the time the party started, so you know I put them to work the second they walked in.

During all of the frantic last minute preparations, Char cuddled with grandpa for a while...

...not so different from this very day last year...

Aunt Katie wanted some cuddles too...

Hunter was so excited for Baby Charlotte's birthday party...so excited that he even posed sweetly for a picture...

Nana wanted Charlotte to open one of her gifts before everyone got here, so we went to the bedroom to let her tear into her first present of the day...

As you can see, there wasn't much tearing involved, but she liked the book (it has a recording of Nana reading it to her)...

After some friends arrived, we went out back to play and swim.  I intended on getting live ladybugs, but the nursery was out, so we just set up this mat with pretend ones for the kids to examine...

Apparently even one year olds and preschoolers can see how lame fake ladybugs are, because I don't think a single one of them got examined:)

Char let cousin Vanesa put her in the pool for a little bit, but she grew fussy pretty quickly...

So I rescued her and we lounged in the shade with Evelyn and Mrs. Molly...

Hunter wasn't big on the pools either, but at least he knows how to make a fashion statement.  He decided to sport the Bill Parcells look for the day...

Clearly I fixed those shorts right after that picture was taken.

Lots of kids had fun in the sand box...

and playing with the backyard toys...

and some even got in the pools...

A couple of the babies slept through the party...

...but quickly woke up with all of the kids running around our little house....except Dean who slept sweetly in his mama's arms, which is why I have no picture:(

After we I couldn't take the heat anymore, we came in to open presents...

Charlotte was pretty timid throughout this whole process, so I did most of the opening (along with Hunter's help!)...

My dad made Charlotte a toy box like Hunter got for his first birthday...

It's my favorite gift.  Y'all know about my love for organization, right?  Dream gift for this mommy.
 

Finally it was time for singing and cake, so we passed out the party hats...

and sang to the sweet birthday girl...

Charlotte was really interested in her ladybug cupcake, but wouldn't touch it at first, so I gave her a little taste...

And that's all it took for her to dig in!

Charlotte had so much fun at her party!  Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!