First Birthday Extravaganza!

Sorry, sorry, sorry.  I know all of you have been anxiously awaiting this post, but things have been a little bit crazy around here.  This past week I have been going through the nearly two hundred photos, editing, organizing, and making collages....brainstorming everything I wanted to say and trying to figure out a way to say it...oh, and working full time, playing with my sweet boy, and taking care of all of the household duties too.  Needless to say, I have been one busy mama!  And let's get real...if the party was a year in the making, did you really expect the blog post to be up the very next day?  I think not.  Hopefully, it is worth the wait though...

Happy 1st Birthday,

Hayes Robert Davis!

In order to prepare for your special day, Mommy and Daddy worked so hard to make sure everything was just perfect.  About a month before your party, we sent out invitations to your closest family and dearest friends.

Then a few days before your party, we began to adorn the house with custom decorations that were made just for you!  On the front porch, we put out balloons and a wreath to let everyone know where the birthday boy lived and to welcome your guests inside.

And from there, we went a little crazy!  There were lots of number 1's on the mantle, a fun birthday banner above the windows, and a birthday hat on Spot the Deer.

We covered one whole wall with your month-by-month pictures to show off just how much you have grown this past year...and set out favors for your friends who have been by your side all along the way.

We even decorated our newly finished backyard with handmade pom-poms, loosely hung streamers, and a big balloon chandelier!

Mommy picked out the yummiest and most colorful foods she could find - colored Goldfish, rainbow fruit skewers, veggie dippers, fruity Cheerios, polka dot pretzels, cans of juice, and of course...lots of homemade cupcakes and cake pops!

So many people came to your party to wish you a very happy birthday, and you just basked in the attention all afternoon long!  You played with your cute little friends...

...visited with all of your loving family...

...and had more fun than you even knew was possible!

Oh, and do you want to know something super cool?  Your great grandma was there, and she was celebrating her 80th birthday on the exact same day!  Happy Birthday, Great Grandma Carla!

The whole party was kind of a whirlwind, but everyone stopped what they were doing right in the middle of it to watch you do your smash cake!  Before the party, we had been taking bets on how you would handle this very big and very sweet treat...but in true Hayes fashion, you surprised us all.  You very gently scooped the icing with your pointer finger and carefully put each scoop in your mouth.  Eventually, I had to dig into it for you so that you could see all of the bright colors inside!

Even though you tried your hardest to stay clean and tidy while eating your cake, you still managed to get covered.  So what better way to clean you off than a backyard bath?  Daddy filled your big tub full of cold water from the hose, and you screamed and cried as soon as we set you down in it...that is, until you discovered that you could stand up and play!

Right before your guests all left, we decided to let you open a few presents.  You got so many fun new toys and goodies, but as usual - you thought the tissue paper was the best gift of all!

Mommy and Daddy are so incredibly proud of you and all that you have overcome during your first year of life.  You are the strongest, bravest, silliest, sweetest, cutest, and best little boy we know!  So happy birthday, sweet Hayes...we hope your day was just as special and joyful as you are!