Paxton is ONE!

***

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night 

Sailed off in a wooden shoe — 

Sailed on a river of crystal light, 

Into a sea of dew. 

"Where are you going, and what do you wish?" 

The old moon asked the three. 

"We have come to fish for the herring fish 

That live in this beautiful sea; 

Nets of silver and gold have we!" 

Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

As it turns out in the poem, Wynken is one eye, Blynken is the other eye, and Nod is the head...of a sleeping baby. The poem captures the wonder of dreams and childhood and imagination. You can read the whole thing here, if you wish, and see the photo of the fountain statue at our own local Washington Park in Denver. 

So I somewhat haphazardly threw together a tablescape that included a moon face I painted myself, some blue tableclothes, nets, pompoms and stars, and a couple of yard-saled wooden shoes turned into sailboats. Because Wynken, Blynken, and Nod sailed off in a wooden shoe, you know. Probably the same wooden shoe that was discarded under his bed after a long day of playtime adventures.

I told Justin it felt a bit like senior prom decor, what, with the foil stars and all. Ha! 

My friend Jess, whom I had made that baby shower cake for last month, so sweetly returned the favor by making me some of her delicious sugar cookies {an heirloom recipe, I'm told}. I had shared this photo with her for inspiration, but just as a general idea for the look we were going for. I can't believe how well she replicated them! 

I enjoyed incorporating this vintage moon face from The Graphics Fairy into Paxton's party as well. I love a moon face. I painted this for the party, but I'd been planning on painting one for Paxton's room already. So now I can re-purpose his party decor as I finish up his room. {Almost done!}

And the outlet bakery down the street carries "double decker" MOON PIES---in three flavors!---so I sent Justin to get some for Paxton's party. {Because I didn't have to make them.}

Moon juice.
Beer & vino.

Just a couple hours before the party I decided to pick up some balloons from the Dollar Tree to mark our house out front, and well, shoot, but they had a bundle of seven gold and blue stars already blown up and waiting for me.

I found this vintage Hallmark centerpiece on eBay last week. I'm almost certain it's from the same Hallmark line that produced the napkins that inspired this entire party.
We had FIVE baby guests at Paxton's party...and I'm kicking myself for not rounding them up for a photo. {But who's kidding? That would have been like herding cats.}

In addition to close family and friends, we had Baby Eva, Baby Peyton, LittleM, and sisters, Charlie & Cameron all attended P-Town's first party.

They hit the applesauce pretty hard. They were a rowdy bunch.



Paxton's party started at 5 p.m., so if you will remember what I stated in the post about our most recent outdoor party, Eisley's 5th birthday:

"Murphy's Law § 102(3) states that if Heather is to throw a party outside during the summer then it must, at some point during the hours listed on said party's invitation,  hail or rain. Hail or rain must be accompanied by threats of lightning and audible thunder to that party guests are forced into Heather's small house out of fear for their lives and hairstyles."

Do you see blue dye dripping? So you know, the tsunami started promptly at 5 p.m. I'm not kidding. I was just finishing setting out the food and cold drinks, starting to take photos, when the wind started blowing my decorations down, the rain began pounding us, and the cake needed to be moved.

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I throw an outdoor party, there is foul weather involved. Oh well, good thing we have this big tent and a covered deck. This time we didn't have to take cover inside. Still, as seen above, my party was melting...right as it started.

The rain came and went throughout the evening. People still stayed {maybe out of pity? haha}. And note to self: even if it's a party for a baby, get more adult seating.

We had delightful company yesterday. Could not have asked for a better turn out.

Justin made Alabama BBQ chicken {it has a white sauce instead of a traditional BBQ sauce, and it's smoked, yum!}, our moms helped out with sides, I made the cake...
We gathered 'round and sang to the little birthday boy.
And here's proof that he is not ALWAYS smiling. He was a little wary as we sang, and confused. I love watching the babies at this part during a first birthday party. Their expressions always crack me up. Everyone is looking at me and singing some some I've never heard before. And why is this dessert on fire???

Oh my stars, who cares?! It's delicious! 

People, you can sing to me any day!

And then Papa Erickson comes along and says, "You finished your cake! Here, have a cookie!" {He got his spoiling ways from my grandma who was known to profess, "Kids NEED sugar!"}

You know what I love about Paxton when he eats? He always crosses his ankles.

Most guests took off before we turned to presents. Paxton received such thoughtful gifts! Simple, useful things like books, balls, and blocks. A couple cute manly outfits and such. 

Oh, bittersweet time flies by and my little guy is already one. 

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, PAX!

My P-Town, Pax-Roo, Bo Boy, 

Bubsie, Mister Mister. 

We love you.