FIRST birthday CAKE SMASH ideas and inspiration - Fun way to celebrate turning one - 1st party

I use to be a photographer....well, professionally. I still love to take photos but I don't do photo shoots anymore. When I did, I was known for my first birthday cake smash. Such a great way to celebrate this milestone.

I would discuss outfits with the parents, selected the backdrop, and designed and made the cakes.
 One stop shop! :)

UPDATE: I've had a bunch of requests on what tips I used to decorate these giant cupcake cakes - HOW TO MAKE A GIANT CUPCAKE CAKE TUTORIAL

This was ALWAYS so much fun and some days I miss it, especially the creativity of it all. Oh and I love to see the kids get messy.

Here are some ideas and inspiration to create something memorable.

Aftermath

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DIY Super Easy & Inexpensive PHOTO BOOTH idea! Great for PARTIES!

I posted our NEW YEAR'S EVE kid friendly activities and so many people asked about this photo booth. 

It was SUPER EASY and put together in a matter of minutes. So much fun and definitely a highlight of the night. 

We made it for NYE but perfect for parties, sleepovers, weddings, etc. 

SUPPLIES:

1 or 2 -tension rods (shower curtain rods) 

wrapping paper, craft paper or material

(optional) streamers, ribbon, any other hanging decorations

fishing line

I found some wrapping paper on sale after Christmas at Target. Looked kinda NYE-ish. Black with silver snowflakes. 

Dizzy danglers from Wal-Mart for .97 (pk of 3), black and white streamers, and black and silver (Christmas) ribbon I found at Micheal's on sale. We didn't end of using the streamers or ribbon because it looked awesome already. YAY!

I purchased a tension rod at Wal-Mart for $6.96 and should have bought two. One for the backdrop and one for the decorations. Works anywhere in a door way or hallway. This would be perfect if you didn't want a room accessible at a party. Photobooth in the doorway. GENIUS!!!

Due to the lack of planning, I ended up lugging my huge backdrop holder out instead and using one tension rod. 

The boys set it up between activities. After he hung all the dizzy dangers I moved the tension rod up close to the top. 

TEST SHOTS :)

I was testing the camera and the boys were not even paying attention and I didn't notice my hubby's different poses for each test shot until I uploaded. Made me smile. 

My favorite is his Always Sunny In Philadelphia BEAR and DEER = "BEER" shirt. This was a Christmas present. 

So awesome!

I would like to say this was a one shot take but we probably threw confetti about 10 times and ate some a couple of time. 

Me AGAIN! I know, such a goon.

The best part was after it was over I rolled the paper back up and I'll use it next year to wrap presents :)

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Valentine's Day PHOTO IDEAS for BOYS/kids - personalized cards

Pre-made cards work great because the kids usually just care about the candy attached, right!? Every year I'm so torn. I just love the look of personalized photo cards and try to plan with plenty of time ....and others....well, last year I made them THE DAY BEFORE!!!! 

It's a little more time consuming but the feedback and excitement from the kids is priceless. 

I started making these cute little Valentine's when my oldest son started Kindergarten. Each one is personalized and we always made two different cards. One for boys and one for girls :) We attached a fun dip to the back of each card.

2008

For the girls

For the boys

For family and friends

2009

For the girls

For the boys

For family and friends

2010

For the girls

For the boys

For family and friends

2011

I did these so last minute and he only had a white shirt that fit...ugh. Looks better with red or black background or a black shirt.

The cards for the boys and girls only differed by one or two pictures

For friends and family

FRONT

BACK

2012

I made these the night before and so they weren't personalized this year but still turned out really cute!

For Friends and Family

Kissable!

AND THIS YEAR...

???????

Still planning :)

UPDATE:

 2013 Valentine's Day cards

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Creative HOMEMADE Thank You cards - KIDS drawings - Photo with Text

We FINALLY finished thank you cards yesterday! My boys (and myself) might procrastinate doing their thank you cards but we've talked about what they mean and the importance of showing appreciation. They really do a good job and I enjoy the extra little details and drawings they add. Over the years this has turned into a fun activity with music and snacks.

Our cards are super inexpensive and usually pictures with text to add that personal touch. 

Text can be done in any paint/photo program or in a word document with a text box. 

Supplies:

Card stock, double sided tape and paper trimmer. The local craft store had some random packs of cards on sale for .20 cents so I picked up a few just for the smaller envelopes. (I'll recycle the cards in some future craft)

This year I took the picture in front of the tree the day before we took it down. Whew! I forgot to take one I could use Christmas morning that wasn't a blur of wrapping paper being tossed. So after school with both boys wearing crazy colors, we took photos. I decided on a little depth (blur) and selective color to disguise the marker hands/ lunch spills/ messy hair and all over grubby-ness of a fun filled day at school. 

I printed one single photo on a 4x6 print and put two photos on a 4x6 for smaller prints. 

I sent pictures to the hour photo department (or print at home.) 

Now for the boys to get to work personalizing. :)

So cute! 

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