CASH'S 1ST BIRTHDAY

Although Cash's birthday was two weeks ago, I want to backtrack so I can highlight his special day! I know everyone expected me to go completely over the top (and maybe I did in some ways..) but I definitely kept it on a FIRST birthday level. I was sure to leave the 6 blow up water slides, face painting and pin the tail on the donkey for the birds.. He can have all those things when he can actually participate! All in all, with alot of planning and a TON of crafty work, I managed to throw my Little Monkey a fabulous & AFFORDABLE party. If one day 20 years from now, Cash looks back and just simply says "WOW MOM, THANKS!" then all my hard work will have been so worth it.

Cash, a little sleepy but loving his big day!



Monkeys were.. everywhere!

And I mean.. EVERYWHERE!

My Nana (Cash's GREAT Grandmother!) makes the best homemade banana bread I've ever had in my life. She was generous enough to bake me 6 loaves! I wrapped them up in cellophane for the dessert buffet with a tag that said "Thanks for swingin' by Cash's 1st Birthday" They were a BIG hit!



Here's Cash's "big cake".. I typically go to a cake decorator in downtown Houston. Because they charge an arm, a leg, a foot, and a Louboutin shoe, I tried to find someone closer to home and a little less costly... Let's just say I hit the jackpot. I found a bakery literally 5 minutes from my house, and brought a sketch in of what I wanted both of Cash's cakes to look like. They recreated my vision FLAWLESSLY! You can find them at www.jatimsbakeshop.com Add a homemade cake topper, and a hanging monkey.. and VOILA!



Homemade cupcake stand. The cupcakes were yellow cake, with chocolate icing. DELISH!



"CASH BOTTLES" that I also made to match the theme..

Here's a glimpse of both of Cash's cakes.. not only were they pretty but they TASTED GOOD TOO!



I recruited my Aunt Mem to make her famous sweet tea.."the South's punch!" I think i might've consumed most of it..



This Monkey "Stand In" was also a huge hit.. My Papa built it (yes, my family is AMAZING!) and with the help of my four sisters and Nana, we managed to paint it by hand and create some magical photo memories!



The party favors for the children (because WHAT kid wants banana bread?) were personalized Build-A-Bear Monkeys..



When the guests arrived, there were monkey masks and a sign that said "TAKE ONE MASK PER LITTLE MONKEY, AND SWING ON IN!"



The bags for the dessert buffet had a special surprise.. MONKEY MAN'S FACE! I printed his photo on sticker paper, and found the bags at the dollar store.. 25 for $1.00!



The dessert buffet also had apothecary jars, filled with Whoppers, Animal Crackers, Banana Nut Cheerios and Banana Runts!



Cash loved his "banana" cake as much as everyone loved looking at it.. but the whole "candle" thing kind of freaked him out!



"Thank you for swingin' by on my special day.. now help yourself to the Dessert Buffet! Monkey See, Monkey Do.. Grab a bag, these sweets are for YOU!"



Here's a close up of Cash's "SMASH CAKE." I came up with the idea from a cake I saw on cakepicturegallery.com that was shaped like a banana bunch. The inside was Butter cake, which looked like the inside of a banana. Cash's FAVORITE part of the day!



Cash hugging the "monkey guest!" He loved him..



Speaks for itself.. =)



As you can see, this sleepy boy had a FABULOUS day!



Special thanks to my mom, who was a lifesaver in helping me bring ALL of my crazy last minute thoughts to life, J's brother & sister-in-law for babysitting Cash while I prepared on the big day, and J for keeping me calm through my diva fit moments 5 minutes before the party started. xoxo