First Birthday Planning?

Just wanted to mention, if you decide not to make your own cake, Byerly's offers a free cake for first birthdays! All you need to do is bring show the birth certificate.

One thing I didn't do at my son's first birthday, that I wish I had, was take a group picture. I would love to have had a picture of everyone that was there. I would also have loved to have a picture of my son with various guests. I captured the classic "cake eating" and "present opening" pictures, but not enough of the guests.

One food we randomly put out that I was so grateful for, was cheese sticks. The kids loved them and they're not messy!

One option for food would be to make little sandwiches inside of the refridgerated (sp?) croissant dough. For example, if you put ham and cheese inside before you bake them - they are delicious. Little hands can hold them relatively easily and the food stays contained in the croissant. My friend make them with a chicken mixture inside.

Have a blast!

We served carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for my son's first birthday. I made tea sandwiches (3-4 different kinds) and cut out fun shapes with cookie cutters. I also put out some pretzels, fruit salad, and then one marinated veggie salad for the adults.

i have twin boys too. i remember the days when they were quiet and showed slight signs of being naughty. but now...! :) i love having twin boys actually, and seeing their antics.

anyway, back to the birthday, how about two cupcakes for them? honestly, they fell asleep during their party, i scheduled it for 12:00 - ? and they fell asleep after playing for awhile. don't expect greatness from the party! they are too young to really know that it's birthday, i think.

but the kids that came over (kids of friends) and their parents, were ones that were imp to their lives and have spent time with them as they got bigger over the years. these 1st birthday parties are good for the parents i think, to reconnect with their friends and to take the time to meet their children.

regarding what to feed the little ones, do you mean babies (those newborn cookies and the flower things - gerber makes them i think). for the toddler guests:anything. fruit,pizzas,whatever the adults eat but in smaller portions?

have fun.

My advice is to not have too many people/stimulation there. Also, keep it shorter. For food, I know some moms who have made an insane amount of mac and cheese for the kids. It went over really well! Also, look at kraftfoods.com and allrecipes.com for kid-friendly recipes. Have fun!

I have been through 3 1st birthdays now. :o) I would suggest an ice cream cake.

I know that the kids will not remember this birthday but you will. My one regret was that I had over too many people for my second child and it was too overwhelming for her. She stayed in my lap the whole time and I don't think she smiled once the whole day. It was all family and their were young kids to entertain her, but just too many. For my 3rd child we felt a little guilty only having grandparents over, but she had a lot more fun. She enjoyed the presents and felt comfortable with the company.

You will still have control over the theme and who you invite, all the way till kindergarten. Don't think this is your only shot. We did invite over more friends for the kids's 2-4th bday parties and that worked well. At one, they are still a little shy about crowds.

Make sure to have most everything done by the time the guests arrive so you can enjoy the day too.

Good luck and have a great day!

Hi
My advice is to not schedule it at nap time (I made this mistake it was not fun) also have your camera ready when you give them cake. I would try and find a pea pod cake pan that would be so cute If you look online at allrecipes.com you may find some food that fits your theme and isnt hard to make.

I would do things with peas and things without. I'd see if you can find cake pans so you can make a pea pod cake or something. That'll be so cute.