1St Birthday - Saint Charles, MO

I wouldn't do nothing that big since he really doesn't have a clue. For our son we did have a party. It was Bob the Builder theme. Got him a big cake but bought him his own little cake. Then the day of his actual birthday we took him shopping. I think that's the part he liked best. He got to pick out two toys, one from mommy and one from daddy. Then asked him where he wanted to eat and we let him eat what ever he wanted to on that day(back when he used to eat real food, lol) then we let him pick his own birthday outfit. He had fun. The day of his birthday party we invited 5 kids his age(that was a mistake b/c they kept trying to take his toys and some parents just can't keep their kids in line)we let them run around the house. Then we let him help us w/the goodie bags. Just take like white paper bags and have him decorate them.
My in laws though were mad that we didn't have a "just family" only birthday party since it was his first!!!! I'll leave that one alone :-)
It'll be fun though...good luck.

First birthdays can be special for little kids, or totally overwhelming. If your son likes something in particular...trucks, dogs, a certain stuffed animal, you can create a theme around this...a homemade poster, a birthday banner with his name on it, is usually enough for a young child. Ballons at this age can often be frightening, so try to make his decorations with something familiar to him. Invite a couple close family, and friends, but your son will probably have the most fun with one friend that he enjoys playing with.

I am not sure if he is ready for this yet. The train museum in Kirkwood. Has a party room for kids which they have tons of trains mostly Thomas and friends plus track,bridges and tunnels and blocks for them to play with. They also have a dress up section. I realize that at one he is a little young for dress up but he would be able to play with all the trains. Plus if you have any older children they can play also.

When you book the party room they also have lunch and cake. Plus you can go around and look at all of the trains in the museum. My sister had my nephew's birthday here when he was 2 or 3 I can't remember but it was great. It is worth checking out.
L.

L.,
I am a single mom as well and at the time of my son's first birthday, we lived at my mom and dad's house. I had a party in the backyard and it was nice. We had family and my friends and just let him run around and play with his new soccer ball and whatever else he received. It was a beautiful day and then when it was time for cake, I brought his high chair outside and gave him his cake and let him go to town with his fingers and he was a mess but at least it was outside. I took him inside and put him in the tub. As others suggested, you can make a banner with his name on it and maybe tie balloons up where he can't reach them just for decoration. I think we had some munchies-finger foods. You could do a veggie tray, maybe get some meatballs from Sam's and throw them in a crockpot and do something easy. I hope this helps a little bit. Have fun..he is so young that he will have a good time even if you don't go overboard! :) Good Luck and Happy Birthday to your little guy! L.

My daughter just turned 1 on Oct 4th and We rented a moon bounce for the day. We got the larger one because most of children that were at the party were 2+ and when it was time and hailey wanted to play in the moon bounce we asked the kids to get out for 5 minutes so she could get in. It went very well.. We grilled burgers and hot dogs i bought them from sams and my friend made the birthday cake. Go to www.bouncecheap.com and they have pictures and price lists. You can rent for as little as two hours and they deliver and set up. Very people, it was clean and they even put down a tarp in front of the bounce house for the kids to put their shoes on. The birthday party was hit.

Dress baby in a 1st birthday outfit from Ruffles & Cream Baby and Children's boutique. Have cake and take pictures. www.rufflesandcream.com