Maddox 1st Birthday - Party Theme, Invitations, Save the dates and Thank you Tags

Six months prior to Maddox 1st birthday, I already decided to create my own design for his birthday invitations. My idea is ..."TICKET" style invitation...

I experimented first by using the theme "Justice League" because my first plan is to celebrate his birthday at the Shakey's Market Market where their themes includes Justice League and Barneys, unfortunately when we are about to do some reservations...they are no longer accepting parties during the weekend, so I decided to pursue my plan B which is to celebrate the party at Star City ( this is a separate entry so I wont discuss it here).

Why Sesame Streets? Simply because I want to concentrate only in a specific colors....I only wanted red, blue, yellow and green. So I picked up characters that will represents my chosen colors and that is Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird.

Fated that the only accredited cake supplier of Star City is Red Ribbon which has Sesame Streets themed Cakes.

Anyway, here are the steps in designing the ticket style birthday party invitation using Sesame Streets theme.
First, since I have no time and costumes to use for a photoshoot I use "Face in the hole" site to  change the face of the babies in elmo, cookie monster and big bird's costumes and put the face of my Baby Maddox.

 Then I searched for some useful and colorful designs to complete my ticket style invitation:

Next, using MS Powerpoint I put together all the above designs.And the result is .......

I also created  " Maddox Gift Guide" and "Reminders"

 Of course, I need an envelope to put the invitation, gift guide and reminders.

Here are the final invitations. You will notice that I concentrated with 3 colors, representing 3 teams which are Team Elmo, Team Big Bird and Team Cookie Monster.

By the way, let me also share with you our "save the date" , "Thank You" tags and Dedication Card:

Sesame Streets Head Dress for Maddox 1st Birthday

This is a late entry for Maddox 1st birthday preparation we did, but who cares?! better late than never..LOL!

The idea of party hat is soooo ordinary to me, in fact children did not even wear that on the entire party...so I searched for a unique ideas on internet and I came accross the link for sesame streets birthday party ideas where they show samples of head dresses....Voila! My Maddox party hat is surely a winner treat for our guests...

Now let me share with you the steps on how to do an amazing head dresses.....


Materials:
Garments - colors are red, blue and white which we bought from Divisoria, same store where we bought the garments for Maddox costume.
Styroball - for eyes.
Black garter
Orange Styropaint - for Elmo's nose
Black Felt Paper - for eye balls
Pink and Sky Blue art paper
Glue

Steps:
1. Cut a pattern out of Manila Paper which will be use to cut the garments
2. Sew the sides of the garments including the black garter
3. Sew the styro balls on top. Eyes and Nose for Elmo's head dress.
4. Using glue, place the round black felt paper
5. Using glue, place the pink and sky blue art paper

Now here are the finished products:

 

COOKIE MONSTER



BIG BIRD

  

ELMO

 Im sure you are curious on the outcome of the head dresses to our visitors on the party. So here it is....

TEAM BIG BIRD

TEAM COOKIE MONSTER



TEAM ELMO



Maddox Birthday - DIY Sesame Street Costume

Finding stuff for Sesame Streets themed birthday party is really hard to do. I have made some research to get tips for Maddox Birthday party and I came accross this site: sesame street bday party ideas where i got the idea of his costume.

His costume was made by no other than my mom and Maddox grandmom Milagros Dacquel. By the way, for everybody information, my mom is a retired public school teacher but finished dressmaking when she was just 18 years old. (According to mom, during her time, ladies are required to learn how to sew dresses and even make dresses.)She was the salutatorian of her class.(Wow!)

After looking at the site above, we have decided to make an Elmo Costume for Baby Maddox. Mama Mila made the pattern out of Maddox pajama and sweater with a hood using manila paper.

Baby Maddox wearing the pajama and the sweater with his Lola Mila

Baby Maddox with his Papa Darlon wearing the sweater with a hood

Below are the materials that we used for his costume:
1. Garments - bought from Divisoria at P 220.00 per yard. Bought 1 and 1/4.
2. Stryroball - 2 2"inches size valued at P 1.00 and 1 3" inches size valued at P 2.00 ( if you buy at National Bookstore). We were actually fooled by a vendor in Divisoria when we bought the styroball, they sold us the ball at P 4.00 each.We bought 100 pcs. Thank God that the balls I bought was not enough for the head dress and costume so I asked my staff who lived near Divisoria to buy the ball for me, but because my staff will going to buy something in National Bookstore,  he ended up buying the balls there.Well! we learned a lesson from this experience. It saddened me that the vendor who fooled us is already a senior citizen.
3. Styro paint - orange color for the Elmo nose valued at P 42.00 per bottle.

4. Felt paper - black color for th eyes

The outcome???........tsaraaaaaaan!

Of course, Baby Maddox was excited to try his costume which fits him perfectly...

Mama Mila was so happy to see her masterpiece. It's worth the hardwork we made and sleepless nights just to finished the costume.

Now, here is the pic of Maddox wearing the costume during his birthday party with his DIY standee of his pic above.

Maddox...my lucky charm!

Maddox Darlon Leigh is my 5th child and 4th son. Why Maddox? was he named after the son of Angelina Jolie because I am Angelina fanatic? Yes I adore her but my son's name was given by Tita Merlyn Real, my hubby's auntie who is based in Australia. MDL stands for Merlyn, Darlon (my hubby's name) and Let (my nickname). According to research the name Maddox derives from the Welsh surname “Maddock” meaning “son of Madoc.” The name “Madoc” is believed to derive from the Welsh “mad” meaning "fortunate.”

December 10, 2011 - I was one month pregnant (without knowing, cause I only found out my pregnancy when I was already 4 months pregnant) when I was transferred to my dream Department. In fact, I applied for that department a year ago when the Head left due to health condition but unfortunately the other candidate was chosen. :(

I was 6 months pregnant when I got promoted as Manager.Actually, I was not expecting for this promotion since I am only 5 months with my new Department but my big boss rewarded my performance for my previous department and I was surprised when I received the memorandum.



My tummy at 6 months



Albeit, I am not entitled to SSS and Phil health benefits when i delivered Maddox(because benefits can only be given up the 4th child)  I did not encountered financial difficulties to pay for the expenses. I was even lucky enough that the private room were not occupied that time and the midwives and nurses were there to monitor the progress of my labor from time to time. It was August 2, 2011 at 9:20 am when Maddox arrive.



Maddox arrival in the world

Maddox coming to the family, gave me additional inspiration and motivation to work hard and be more passionate in my career,for the 2nd time after how many years I received an Excellent rating for the annual performance rating and received 100% 18th month pay. 



Maddox at 5 months old



Maddox was 9 months old when I received merit increase because of my Excellent rating. In all honesty, I am not also expecting this. I was called by my boss during her meeting with senior officers and handed me the memorandum. 



Maddox at 8 months

  At 10 months old, another blessing came to our family with the addition of KING....(kingyama na at king kapogi pa - this is our way of paglalambing with Maddox)

Blessing of King at Antipolo Church

With so many blessing came to our family upon his arrival, I decided to gave Maddox a grand celebration of his baptism and birthday as my way of thanking him for being my lucky charm....

Maddox 1st Birthday party at Star City - July 28, 2012

Maddox Baptism at Santuario de San Antonio, Mc Kinley Forbes Park

As his name suggest, I know that Maddox will always be fortunate in every endeavor he take.Cant wait for more surprises and blessings to come....

Clyde the future NBA star….

At 1 year old, he loves to pose for a camera

Smart, looker, friendly and talented is how we describe my eldest son Clyde Jexter.

He is a Dancer…

As early as 2 and ½ years old, Clyde being a “saling pusa” in a Day Care Center was chosen to perform for his school by dancing a ballroom dance. I was really a proud mama when I heard good feedbacks from the audience when he was performing.

Since then, Clyde has been consistently chosen for school activities.

He is a consistent Honor Student…

From day care days until Grade Six, he is a consistent honor students. He was always chosen to represent his section in various school activities such as Boy Scout. His area of expertise is no other than but  Mathematics.

He was chosen as a leader of their group

Playing Basketball, his first love!

 Clyde’s name was derived from famous NBA player…CLYDE DREXLER. Aside from he is a basketball icon, the uniqueness and class of the name attracts us to name our first son after him. We just rename the Drexler into Jexter to make the surname a first name (LOL!) and that is why he was called by us as “ CJ”.

CJ’s first words when he was about 10 months old was “Shoot that ball” while he was playing a ball on his play pen. I was really amaze when I heard that, unfortunately he cannot say it again when I asked him to do so( hahaha…)

As a baby, CJ are really fonds of balls. He doesn’t like any other toy but only a ball. Everytime, we passes by a store whether in a mall or even just a sari sari store he will immediately point his fingers to the ball and we are oblige to buy that ball otherwise he will cry out loud and turn into purple.(he actually has history of turning into purple color when he cried too much) In fact, his collection of balls consist of 2 big baskets.

When CJ was a toddler, he always show his “ala-Michal Jordan” moves by shooting the ball with tongue out and saying “Vergel Menenet” (his name for Vergel Meneses)

He was 12 years old and in Grade Six when his first basketball break came.He tried out for Pitogo Inter-Barangay Mosquito Division and was chosen to be part of the team. Since then, he joined several inter-colors & inter-zone league in Barangay Pitogo.

His 1st Inter Zone Experience at Barangay Pitogo

He was named as MVP and Mythical Player during Pateros Catholic School intramurals. He received medals and certificates for these achievements.

He also played inter zone for Barangay Rizal.

When he transferred to Pitogo High School, he tried out for school varsity and luckily was chosen.

He became varsity player for Pitogo High School 

His dreams to be part of Pembo Elite Circle of Athlete and Sports otherwise known as PECAS came true last May 2012.He became part of All star game where his team was proclaimed Champion. Presently, he undergo training for the Pembo Inter Barangay Kids Division.

With so many milestone in his basketball career at the age of  16,  his dreams to become a successful NBA star is becoming visible...what about seeing him playing for UAAP or NCAA in 2 to 3 years? well...let us wait and see!