Ok, so it's been about two weeks since our little boy turned one on April 1st, but what a fun couple of weeks it has been! We started off his celebration on his actual birthday. The morning of his birthday Corey woke up in the happiest mood. It was so sweet. It almost was like he knew it was his birthday. Paul, Ashley and I sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he just got sooo excited. Especially at the part where you say his name in the song and at the very end. He clapped and said "Yay!". It was precious!
 |
| Singing Happy Birthday to him |
 |
| Totally enjoying his cupcake at Judi's |
I baked cupcakes to bring to Judi's house (daycare) that day. Paul and I came by during our lunch break and sang to him with Judi, Jorge, Jacqui and all of his daycare friends. I brought birthday hats and a special bib that Ashley wore on her birthday. It really was so cute to see him lined up next to his friends in their high chairs. He was so happy! He dug into his cupcake and truly enjoyed it. That evening all four of us went out to dinner at Carino's for some Italian food. After dinner we came home and sang to him AGAIN with a cupcake and then we gave him his birthday gift. We got him a little speedster pictured below. He LOVED it! Ashley picked out a giant Toy Story ball. He is all about playing ball, so that was right up his alley.
 |
| Corey's 1st birthday gift from us |
We planned to have Corey's birthday party a week after his birthday so that our friends, Tina and Paul, could celebrate Parker's 1st birthday as well. Parker and Corey wore born on the same day only 9 hours apart! So since Parker is Tina and Paul's first baby, we thought it would be nice for them to have their party closer to the actual birthday and for us to wait until the following week. It was fun celebrating with Parker the weekend before and then knowing we'd be celebrating again on the 9th!
We flew my Dad here for a visit and so he could attend Corey's first birthday party. Dad arrived late Thursday night and I had off from work on Friday to help prepare for the party in addition to attending Tina and Paul's baby shower (they are expecting another baby in May!) at Big'Z. It was great having Dad here to help put it all together and celebrate with us. We decided on an airplane theme for his party and boy was it fun!!!
 |
| The "Main Terminal" :) |
We got some ideas online but also developed some on our own. I made signs all around the house to go with the theme (e.g. Main Terminal (Main party room), Restroom, Passenger Check-In (gift table), Baggage Claim (goodie bag table) ) We had two long tables and tapd them so that they would look like the dashes on a runway. I made an airplane "photo op" where the kids could sit behind the cardboard and it looked like they were looking out an airplane window. We hung "clouds" (bunched up white balloons) from the ceiling and little model airplanes. I made the goodie bags like they were treats you'd get on a plane (pretzels, peanut butter crackers and airplane shaped cookies). We had the kids make paper airplanes and fly them outback and we gave out extra little model airplanes for the kids to take home and make. I even dressed as a flight attendant! :) We got a special cake made for him as well to go with the theme! I even made a sign that I posted out front that read "Corey's First Year Flew" and had a picture of an airplane on it. We had so much fun putting it all together!!!
 |
| His special birthday cake |
 |
| Airplane shaped cookies |
 |
Airplane treats (pretzels, crackers and airplane shaped cookies)
The little tags say "Thank you for flying Corey Airlines" We hope you had a great time!" |
 |
| the runway tables |
 |
| The Mommy "flight attendant" and Birthday Boy "Captain" |
 |
| Parker and Corey playing (the "twins") |
 |
| Ashley looking out the window with Teresa and Natalia |
 |
| Corey looking out the airplane window |
The day of the party, Corey was great. We got some photos of him in the "plane" and some great shots of him eating his special "smash cake" that went along with theme of the main cake. He LOVED it when everyone sang Happy Birthday to him and just smiled from ear to ear. After all the cake (which he wore ALL OVER), he was ready to call it quits and off to bed he went (and slept for 3 hours!!). He partied hard. After his nap, we helped (mainly Ashley) him open up his presents. He got such cute stuff and we are so thankful and blessed that so many of our close family and friends came by to celebrate his first birthday! It was a wonderful day!
 |
| woohoo!! |
 |
| enjoying his cake |
I truly can't believe that it's been an entire year since I gave birth to him. It really has "FLOWN BY" just like an airplane! I was talking to my parents on the phone the day of his birthday and we were reminiscing the year and all that has gone on and out of the blue I started crying! It just really hit me that this year has probably been one of the best years of my life. Not just because of Corey but just because of how much our little family of four has grown together. Paul and my marriage is the strongest it's ever been, Ashley is really growing into such a beautiful little lady and is sooo amazing and wonderful to her little brother who she adores, and Corey is just a sweet little child who really has cast an air of calm and peace on this household. Even our dogs are starting to behave better (well, sort of...). :)
Our value system has always been there, but I feel that we are just relishing and appreciating each day more and more and this year has just been great! Thank you God for blessing me. I am forever grateful.
