Luau Party!

As Alex's birthday approached, I tried to come up with a theme for his party.  He's not really into anything specific right now, so I tentatively planned to just do bright colors.  Then I had an interesting idea...  A lot of people (especially those with December birthdays) have told me to make sure not to combine his birthday & Christmas.  Not that I planned on doing that anyway, but I know what they're saying.  So I thought to myself - what's the opposite of Christmas/winter/cold?  Then I had it - a luau!!  I bought Photoshop Elements earlier this year & decided to try my hand at making an invitation.

Definitely the work of an amateur, but I liked how it turned out.  (I took out our personal info for any crazy internet stalkers - ha).  And with a little help from Oriental Trading for decorations, we were set!

I hung up a monthly photo banner on our fireplace (got the idea from a fellow creative blogger).  Everyone really liked it. 

We also put pictures of Alex's first year on our TV (as seen in the background of this picture).

Here are a few more pictures from the big party.

Showing off his Hawaiian shirt

Starting to dig into the cake

I don't think he's enjoying it at all...

He looks concerned that we're going to take it away - ha!

He learned how to do "1" with his finger!

Aunt Amanda (my sister) got him a slide - he wasn't excited about it or anything...

There was a little drama with his cake (that's a post for another time) but all in all, it was a great party.  He loved all the commotion & didn't mind being surrounded by almost thirty people.  I hope every future birthday is as enjoyable!!