We Celebrate Hughie

I'm so lucky to have 2 boys.  I love a good ol' birthday party.  But this boy-whether you look at him like he's my baby or my 2nd child-he deserved this day.  Celebrating his 1st year of life is bittersweet for me.  I'm trying not to blog it because that means it's truly over.  It's exciting for him, he's growing, happy and moving on.  But....isn't he still a baby? Isn't he just learning? Doesn't he still need me? (Yes, yes and yes!). 

Theme: Sports
Time: 11:00
Food: Pizza, jello (H's and 1's for the birthday boy), salad, fruit, veggies and dip, cowboy caviar with frito scoops, cake, icecream, dipped marshmallows
Games: Pin the basketball on the hoop, decorate party hats
Guests: So many that love him.

Eli was IN his glory.  Seriously. I cannot describe it any other way. He didn't talk to me throughout the whole party. His "Friends" (aka cousins) and some (non-family) buds were here.  The party started with him getting wild punching balloons around with a couple others.  Not too long after that I shooed him down to the basement where he stayed to eat with his cousins. (See white arrow below.... I know this picture  is blurry but there is PURE joy there).

The birthday boy is in the back-can you see him?

Below are a few of my favorite shots from the party.  Thanks to Peggy for taking pictures and bringing the yummy salad.  Thanks to Andy's parents for bringing the chips and dip and hauling a lot of the family along. Thanks to my mom for arriving early helping in every which way and for the jello (which was a total hit).

Ok to be honest-I think Hugh is giving that nice hug because he saw that green Jell-o in his friends hand.  He had not seen such a vibrant juicy food before!

The cake: Hugh didn't get a cupcake, he got his own smash cake.... a Basketball
My expectations: A furrowed brow (which we see with every other meal) and pure concentration as he puts handful and handful into his mouth with some type of significant mess
Reality: He screamed and yelled. He didn't get his face dirty. He threw a lot of it on the floor. I didn't have to give him a bath or even change his clothes. I hand fed him some but he didn't seem to like how it felt in his mouth. 

so...the party wrapped up.  Or unwrapped and then wrapped up....and it was sad to see everyone go. 

Until next year....let's go slow year 2!  More to come....Hugh's 12 month pictures and stats.

Pre-party

The morning of Hughie's party there was magic in the air...

There was so much special surrounding us.  We were all sad that Grandpa Bob couldn't make it, but the boys sat high as king's in these chairs-which brought the SCHNEIDER spirit to the room.  (These chairs are from the dining room set of my grandparents).  

I couldn't stop snapping picture after picture.

Don't be fooled.  There is no party punch in that cup.  This is a proud Hugh holding a big boy cup. He wouldn't put it down.    

 I ate so many pancakes, meat and potatoes, slippery spaghetti and played bingo on these chairs.  I am so proud to have them part of our home. 

Eli took a turn to sit nicely before the party.  You can pretty much see the excitement Oooooozing out of him.  He knew it wasn't his party but wondered when his friends (aka cousins)would be there. 

Love these chairs. Love these boys. LOVED the party.

More to come......



A year of growth (Sorry I couldn't get it to line up correctly)