I know some people think it's crazy to do a big party for a one year old who won't even remember it, but I wanted to do it big because until he's in school we will just do something small with immediate family from now on. My co worker Kathy who has 3 kids of her own also made a great point - his first birthday party is also about you as couple making it through - as anyone that has a kid can confirm - it is not easy!
Details:
Where: Dracut Legion - they were great to work with, a small deposit for the room and a nice big space. We brought in all the food and Pat, the woman who runs the show, was very helpful and easy to work with. If you're having a low key bash (there are a lot of Jack & Jill's, baby showers, bridal showers, etc. there), I highly recommend it.
Theme: I went with a jungle theme. I know this has been done a lot and I think it was very popular the year before I was pregnant, but honestly I was obsessed with giraffe's and birds when I was pregnant and Nicholas' bedroom ( I almost called it a nursery but he's not a baby anymore!! :/) is done up with giraffe's and I'm keeping it that way until he's old enough to tell me he wants something new.
Guest List: 55 adults and 20 children. Yup, you read that right. Nick's Mom's family is very big and almost all of them live in Dracut or the surrounding area. Nick is half greek and half italian and they are a close knit bunch. On top of that, we have a lot of friends nearby and a lot of our friends have had children before or soon after us.
Food: Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan (ordered from Mama's in Dracut and they rock at italian comfort foods). Baked Ziti courtesy of Alexis and Meatballs courtesy of me. Salad, Spanakopita, Tuna salad (courtesy of Nick's parents), Pigs in a Blanket (courtesy of Auntie Marlene). Desserts were amazeballs cupcakes made by Alexis and I made white chocolate chip coconut cookies. Favors were goody bags for the kiddos (I did two different ones, 1 for children over a year old and 1 for children under a year old). Chocolate covered pretzels and lemon sugar cookie cutouts in the shape of monkeys, elephants, and lions.
Decorations: Pics to follow, but the blow up animals were a big hit and I told the kiddos that were very attached to take them home because honestly, what the heck am I going to do with those? :)
Nicholas did awesome and I think he had a great time. He got a little cranky around two and I thought he needed a nap, but I walked around and rocked him for a little bit, sat in a corner, and he was then ready to party ( I guess he just needed a breather). I think all the kiddos had a good time and I hope they were tired out and will sleep well for their parents. I was careful not to give too much sugar because I didn't want to send them home all hyped up (although Nicholas was running around like a rock star when we got home, but crashed shortly thereafter).
A special thank you to Alexis who helped out so much - I got nervous/stressed/annoyed with a few last minute things this morning and she was there and did every single thing I asked her to and it was just perfect. I'm so lucky to have her as a sister (no, not a sister in law, a sister:) and sometimes I think I'd go crazy without her. She loves Nicholas as if he were her own and we are so lucky to have her.
On to the photos:
Decorations and Food:
Lemon Sugar Cookies, Skittles, and a bit of green grass. The stickers are from Etsy and although they were NOT cheap ($21 for 36 of them...I think they were about $15 and then $5.95 to ship), they were totally worth it because they are adorable. I saved a few to add to a book I'm making for him.
Nicholas checking out the scene...the card store where I picked up the balloons asked me about the color combination- I explained it was a jungle theme (brown and green for the jungle, orange for a tiger), but I don't think they approved- haha, I don't care, it looked cute when it came together. (at least I thought so!)
Goody bags, a giraffe, and a tiger just hanging out. To be honest that tiger was terrifying...thought he was going to come to life and eat me in my sleep. Brown ribbons for boys, green for girls. :) The smaller bags on the right are for the kiddos under 1.
Two little collages I made last minute for the baby. I'm one of those weirdos that still prints out photos and puts new ones on my desk every month. Sometimes it's what keeps me going when works is tough. The masks I found 3 for $2 at Michael's about a week ago and they were a huge hit! So worth it! I took off the sticks they were on to use as decorations at my Mom's house next weekend.
Balloons and his party hat I found on Amazon.com for about $6 I think. I probably could have made it myself, but it's still cute and I'll save it as a keepsake. A note on the balloon weight - regular balloon weights cost about $3+ and my friend Joan at work mentioned that at a work Christmas party they bought tins and filled them with candy and used them as weights - what a genius idea- I bought 30 tins on sale at Michael's for $13.99 and filled them with jelly beans - such a huge savings and I told people to take the tins home. Just a little party tip ;)
Chocolate covered pretzels. I had green chocolate from Christmas that I never used and I bought chocolate melting chips (Wilton) at Michael's. The candy mold I bought on Amazon.com (do you see a trend here?? I recently looked up an old order on Amazon and discovered I placed 96 orders on Amazon in 2012...eek...) for $1.99 and it was perfect - giraffes and lions and zebras.
Just a boring shot of some DELICIOUS FOOD.
The book I made on Shutterfly.com for everyone to sign. This will be fun when Nicholas is older and he can look back on his first year.
Balloons and stickers (in case you couldn't guess...)
A Zebra just chillin' with some utensils and salad. He got a little deflated and I had to tape him down to the table so he would stand up.
Cupcakes! The stand is from Marshall's and it cost $14.99! I've had it for a few years and I use it often! Alexis found the cupcake wrappers and picks on clearance at Marshall's for about $3 per package of 24.
A giraffe and elephant just chillin' with the desserts.
In case you didn't know, this is what heaven looks like.
Bought those little critters on, you'll never guess, Amazon.com. They're sold by Oriental Trading Company and I think 12 of them were about $10 or maybe less. The kiddos also liked them and took some home.
People pics!
Nana and scrunch face
Nick's cousin's son Liam, he looks like a little doll! Perfect! He is about 4 months older than Nicholas I think. They are both very easy going and play great together. We're lucky parents!
Me and the best Auntie/ Sissy Alexis striking a pose. I read at the gym today about the perfect way to stand to make you look slimmer so that's what I'm going for here (this is one of about 6 photos, ha)
Mel and Addison. Mel is married to Nick's cousin Bobby and Addison celebrated her first birthday in December
Karleigh and Jon, Nick and Jon went to high school together. Luciana celebrated her first birthday in January
Nick's cousin Sam, his daughter Maggie, and that's his son Nicky with the zebra mask. I think Maggie and Nicholas look so much alike! Both are little tanks too :)
Katy and Jen, they are married to two of Nick's friends and are fabulous girls! Katy is a wonderful Mom who's son Declan turned 1 in October and has been a huge help with all things baby and a great friend. She brought me a sippy cup because we forgot one for Nicholas today!
Sam, Alexis, and the birthday boy
Deanna, Danielle, and Matt Jr. Deanna has little Matt and her daughter Leah who turned 2 last August
Nick's brother Dan looking GQ (?) and Leah wondering what the heck is going on with that dude?
Maggie and her Momma Aisling, Sam's wife :) Also a wonderful help when I didn't know what the heck I was doing with Nicholas!
Nicky in a lion mask
Danielle and Matt Jr.
Nick's cousin Bryan (Liam's Dad) Nick's brother Aaron and his girlfriend Morgan
Aaron and Morgan
Quinton, Nicholas' cousin (Dan's son)
Alexis and Rich
Nick's cousin Sabrina and Connor, Nick's cousin Shawn's son
Kingsley and Quinton
Our neighbor's twins Drew and Emma
Some dude cruising around the party
Gimme dat camera!
My friend Maggie's daughter Lila
Emma and Drew without the masks
Jessie and Nicholas - Jessie is a friend I've had for years and I was so glad she made the trip up with her husband Brian to be with Nicholas on his first birthday. Also a big thank you to Brian who videoed us singing to Nicholas. If I can figure out how to upload that video, I will.
Addison poppin a squat
Jessie and Brian
Some dude with red cheeks
My co workers Pat and Tracie
Maggie, Me, and Lila
Maggie & Lila
Open mouthed kisses are clearly the best kisses
Nick's Mom, Alexis, and Auntie Marlene
This tissue paper is delicious
Nick's Uncle Al and his girlfriend Joanie
Connor, Nick's cousin Shawn's son. He's a napper! (Born in October)
Teddy, Dan & Kingsley's son - also a napper! (Born on Halloween!)
Leah enjoying her cupcake
Open mouth kisses for everyone!
Walking practice
Sherine and her son Brennan, the glasses were part of his goody bag (Born September 2012)
Nicholas and our friend Katy
Cupcake time! I got the cupcake from our local grocery store for $1.99!
Cupcake pics:
8 comments:
Thank you for sharing Nicholas's first birthday!! You all looked wonderful and happy. You did a great job!! I know he'll see how much he was loved when he looks back on the pictures when he's older. Happy 1st Birthday Nicholas!! :)
Great job on the party!! It was very fun and pretty :)
Thank you for inviting us and allowing us to be part of this big day!!!
Maggie
Also, I want to add that great friends are hard to come by and I'm lucky to have you as one!
Maggie
Looks like it was a blast! Happy Birthday, Nicholas!
GREAT PICTURES!!!!
We had an awesome time! I think it was perfect for a first B-day with the large # of kids running around. That made the difference as with adults alone it's easy to just have party at a house. We are going WAY smaller for Quin's 2nd b-day as last year it was just crazy packed. I love the pictures too...especially of Nicholas shoving cake into his face and hoping some of the smooshy would end up in his mouth haha. Quinton had a blast playing with all the other kids. It still didn't tire him out as he was running around until 9pm.
Awesome day! Not going to lie, what you wrote makes me cry every time I read it. I love you SO much and yes, we are sisters!!!! Thanks for letting me be a big part of it. I enjoyed every second.
Sorry we missed the party but it looks like everything went awesome! I can't believe he's already a year! Lots of new adventures to follow! ;)
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