1St Birthday Ideas for My Little Girl in Southern Dallas Area.

I agree with Lori. Ask your other children what they remember about their first birthday parties. I'll bet all they remember is what they've seen in a picture. The first birthday is a celebration for the FAMILY, because the kid doesn't really understand what that means. You already know this....you have other kids.

If you have a large family that expects to be invited, book the room in the community center, and keep it simple and fun. If not, have a wonderful dinner at home or in a restaurant with just your immediate family (and grandparents if they expect to be included), and take a few great pictures of your daughter blowing out her single candle and eating her piece of cake. That's what she'll remember!!

If you're having a big crowd the rec center sounds like a good idea, they are also usually pretty inexpensive. You also mentioned that you are very active in your church, do they possible have a fellowship hall or other venue you could use. I think you'd be pretty safe in planning it outside if you chose to go that way, you would just have to have a Plan B in case. I know you said you want to make it special for her, but honestly a 1 year old doesn't know and isn't going to remember except for photos. I'd just focus on the love and happiness of the occassion and not get too caught up with details. Good luck.

Everyone is right about getting a community room. It will give you plenty of space for everyone and you won't have to clean your house. For decorations get a few dozen helium balloons at a party store with nice long curly ribbons and just let them float on the ceiling. When the children leave, let them all take a helium balloon home as a party favor! The decorations go out the door!

I notice you have older siblings. You will probably have other older children at the party as well. What are you going to do to entertain everyone besides feed them? What about some live entertainment for the older kids? You might try a balloon artist, a face painter, or a clown from Funny Business. They are great! www.dfwfunnybusiness.com

I'm pretty much in the same position as you. My son will turn one at the end of April. I also live in an apartment and won't be having a lot of people come out, but enough to where the apartment isn't an option. There will be a few older cousins (also around your kids' age) that will be there that I am having a hard time thinking of things to entertain them. I'm not trying to spend a lot because it is the first birthday and I refuse to spend money on something he's not going to enjoy/remember (like Little Gym or Chuckie Cheese). Not enough money for a bounce house or a lot of entertainment, but I don't want the kids to be bored either. I have just settled on the idea of having it outside (reserving a pavilion and praying for decent weather) at a park that has a tot-friendly playground (my son is walking now too). You can go to your city website under Parks and Rec and they tell you what each park has. I live in GP, and that is also where I found the rental info for the indoor facilities, just in case I change my mind. Next weekend I will go take a look at the three I've narrowed now to make a final decision. If all else fails, I'll go indoors. It will be a very, very simple BBQ w/cake for dessert and some simple decorations. It's just making sure everyone has a good time is still my concern. Keep me posted on what you decide to do.