1St Birthday - Jacksboro,TX

For my son's 1st we scheduled it around his naptime (he was on a good schedule, so this was easy). We rented the covered area at a park so the older kids could play at the playground and be occupied, served jambalaya and white beans, a veggie tray, and cake. It was really fun and everyone enjoyed themselves---noone would leave, lol! We did a pull-string pinata with a big "1" (it kinda scared my son when the candy fell and the big kids dove in, but it was funny and made cute pictures). It was the first time many of my friends/family had met him so I decorated a little "message box" and left pre-cut and printed slips of paper that had things like: "Meeting you for the first time...", "You're special because...", "You make me laugh when...", and "Today at your birthday..." I left them at the different tables with pens and asked the guests to fill out whatever they wanted and to drop them in the box, which I used for his scrapbook. We made a small scrapbook just for his first birthday because there was a lot of stuff to do that day, 40 guests, and lots of pictures. I bought the birthday cake at Walmart, and they give you a free smashcake for the baby, so he had his very own (FREE) cake to make a big mess with. Obviously this is something you to toward the end of the party, and we had wipes and a change of clothes on hand so that we could open the gifts at the very end. We also had a few minutes to tell our happiest/funniest/bravest stories since it was our first year as parents and we were kinda celebrating surviving it, too. I've heard of other neat ideas, but those are what we did. Oh yeah! We also went to the party store and bought a giant (ridiculous but funny) crown type hat and decided it would be a "family tradition" to wear the official birthday hat on our birthdays during the birthday song. If you don't want to do that, then Babies R Us has birthday shirts, hats, etc. Next fall, we'll probably do a small family party at the pumpkin patch and maybe go on a pony ride or something, since they have minimal cost and will still be nice to do as a small-ish group. The first birthday was awesome and I'm SO glad I didn't listen to the people who don't believe in doing anything but sitting at home with a pizza. We had a great time. But it was the first one, a celebration for parents also, and a coming out party where he got to meet family and friends for the first time (we are all spread out all over the world). The next few parties will be very low key and more intimate. I'll probably throw another big birthday party for him when he's in kindergarten (a big kid party, at a firehouse?). :) And then nothing big til his 13th...I'm not a crazy mom. I just firmly believe in celebrating milestone birthdays!

My friend just did her DD at her home and did a BBQ party. It was around 6:30 and she told everyone to come hungry...she served Hamburgers and Brawts, chips and drinks. Informal but FUN.

We did our DD first Birthday out of town during Memorial Day weekend at a lake and they did a Fishfry.

I made my DD cake to make it special.

Her 2nd birthday party is this month and we are having her party at Gymboree Play and Music. All we have to do is bring the cake, drinks and food. They supply the entertainment for 1 1/2 and supplies (plates, forks, napkins, decorations, invites, goody bags (empty but can fill for extra $) and a Birthay shirt for the child. $250 for Members/$275 for non-members.

We did pony rides for my sons first birthday - we had a bigger pony for the older kids and a smaller pony for the little ones. It was a HUGE hit. It kept the kids busy and the pictures were great. My belief is that even though my son may not remember it, I will and it was a really special day. I am a big believer in a planned activity for kids parties - not games but an activity. Trying to get kids of different ages to play a game is like trying to herd chipmunks! If you have something fun for them to do, they are happy and occupied. I also have done a pull string pinata at every party for my kids. Easy and fun. Have a great time and cherish your memories!

Come to think of it we had a cook-out for each one of our three children’s first birthdays, and the parties all turned out great!

We had a cookout with only family and a few very close friends. My dd slept through a good portion of the party which was fine with me, then she was in a good mood for presents and cake. All of the kids were my dd's age so there really weren't any planned activities for them. I would keep it as simple, easy going and flexible as possible. Remember that young kids are easy over stimulated and over whelmed and that makes for a very grouchy baby:-} Have fun!! I do cakes on the side so if you need one pm and i'll give you my info:-}

if there are going to be lots of kiddos then they need some form of entertainment...for my daughter's first b-day (in August) we had pony rides, a bounce house, and a bouncy slip-n-slide...definitely have food and drinks too!
good luck...

We had a cook-out. It was fun but really informal. My son could nap when he needed to and still be able to enjoy his party.