Activity table

You know how toddlers love to play with stuff they're not supposed to play with? Well I decided to put all these things in one place so Oz could play with them till his hearts content and get it out of his system and so the play table was born.
This was a relatively easy and cheap project but I did recruit my other half for a bit of man power and to operate the power tools!
So it all started off with a pinterest board and a few ideas kicking around of things that were safe and would keep his attention. I made a list of everyday objects he loved to get his hands on and some he'd never come across but would be good to learn how to operate.
Most of the ones id seen were boards you some how attach to the wall, but I was concerned with how  it was going to attach, what if we want to move it, what if it falls on his head whilst he is attacking it? So I though a table would be a much better idea, not only was it more stable, portable and have room for more things but he was always on his feet so it suited him much better than something he'd have to sit down to play with!
Luckily we had the perfect table that was going spare, an old TV stand

'Oh the places you'll go' Oscars 1st birthday!

So Oscars turned 1! I still haven't quite accepted my little guy has been here a whole year already. Its mad, I just read my birth story post and it seems like it was yesterday, I remember it so well.

So we wanted to have a party for Oz, but not go mad as he doesn't know whats going on so we decided on having a party at our house for family and a few friends. Originally it was going to be a BBQ but we then decided to just have party food to make life a bit easier (and no hot BBQ with kids running round!)
I picked the theme 'oh the places you'll go' (with the help of pinterest) and really like the idea as I would love for Oz to travel one day. As its quite an american thing, it wasn't easy finding bits for it so I had to get creative.
So I bought a copy of the book and went from there. I read through the book several times and decided on getting things in pastel colours. Etsy had invites and banners that I bought and received PDF's to print.

We also put the PDF in photoshop and changed the words to 'Happy Birthday Oscar' for another banner and also did another with his month pictures.

The PDF didn't cost very much and we definitely got out moneys worth out of it!! 

We made some hot air balloons out of paper lanterns and wicker baskets and used them for various things.

 We also made a hot air balloon out of a extra large balloon (from ebay) and a wicker basket I picked up in a charity shop. This was used to put presents in when people arrived (after a photo op first of course!)

That was pretty much all the decorations (as well as a few balloons) which was a bit disappointing as I had planned a lot more but just didn't have the time to do it all. But what we did do, i was pleased with.

We also bought a bigger copy of the book to have people sign, I'm really glad we did this as it'll be so nice for him to look back on when he's older and I'm thinking about printing pictures from the party and sticking them into the book as well. 

This was the sign I made (by made i mean took from pinterest and photoshopped his name on rather than buying it ;)

So the morning began with everyone rushing around manically as any good party does! 

But had time for some birthday cuddles and open a few cards.

After a quick trip to town for a birthday cake, after a cake pop disaster :( and a few more helping hands arriving, the guests began to arrive!
The day was great, I got a bit stressed trying to make everything go smooth, keep everyone entertained whilst keeping a very overwhelmed birthday boy happy but as the day went on I managed to relax and enjoy it. We had a couple of kids running round which was lovely, got the paddling pool up and everyone mingled in the garden, we were lucky it was such a lovely day!

Opening presents!

The granddads!

And then it was time for cake!!

Chocolate and the sun does not go well together. Luckily, after about a minute he threw it on the floor.

(Saira found some old school suitcases in her attic which we painted pastel colours which looked gorgeous!)

Oz was spoilt rotten, got to spend a lovely day with his family and friends and was well and truly worn out by the time everyone left! We had one last task before we put the little guy to bed.

We each wrote a wish for Oz and tied it to the hot air balloon then we let it fly away.

 Up...

 Up...

And away... 














Kid... you'll move mountains <3