I'm on Cruise Control.

I'm in full planning mode for big boy's party. It's going to be baller.

Can you tell that I'm staring to come to terms with him turning one?

Not really, but I'm trying. I'd be lying if I said I haven't looked at his newborn pics one zillion times this past week and tip toed in his room a few extra times at night to check on him.

My baby (who is not a baby anymore) is turning one. In just a little over a week.

That's a really hard thing for a mommy to deal with. {Sigh}.

But...I can't wait to see all the details I have planned come together for his special day. He won't remember it, but nothing but the best for our sweet boy.

Without giving too much away, I thought I would share a few things I've been working on.

Theme
Deciding on a theme for a boy is tough. In my opinion. When you're throwing a party for a girl, slap pink on...I don't know...everything, and it just works.

I didn't want a simple theme centered around the number "1", but I also didn't want to use a children's book theme or anything too detailed. I wanted something in between.

A simple football theme seemed just perfect so that's what I went with. 

Invitation
Invites went out a few weeks ago and I'm really pleased with how they turned out.

I designed these myself and printed on cardstock paper. I especially liked the cheesy super cool wording to match the theme.

 
I again used the label wraps for envelope addressing. Doesn't it look so packaged?  I'm such a sucker for having everything tie together.

Party Hat For the Birthday Boy
The party stores didn't have anything that matched a football theme (when it came to a hat), so I decided to make my own.

There are a ton of tutorials on Pinterest, but I simply started from a friend's daughter's party hat and went to work.

First, I measured the old hat and set up a digital template. I saved it here, if anyone is interested in making one.

1. Cut out the hat along the dotted line. Note: If a colored hat is preferred, use it to trace onto a piece of scrapbook or construction paper.

2. Form the cone shape by pulling the edges together and adhering. This can be a little tricky. Be patient and have the form ready before picking up the glue gun.

3. Using a glue gun, glue the seam together. Be careful and don't worry about it looking perfect. The seam will be in the back!

4. Using hot glue, embellish the bottom and top with raffia confetti paper, ribbon, beads, feather boa, etc.

5. If using confetti paper like I did, grab a bunch of paper and stick to the hot glue without burning yourself.

6. Pull down excess paper and trim off.

7. Embellish with other fun items, but make sure you do something to the top to finish the look. Glitter, paper dots, beads, a number 1, etc.

8. Glue an elastic string to the inside of the hat. My string was about 10 inches. (Not pictured)

Ta da! A custom made, themed party hat!

More details to come on Big Boy's baller party:).