It’s only taken me 3 years to sit down and blog about the birthday party that would set the precedent for all my children’s parties to come.     I don’t know what I was thinking.  I was excited to celebrate my one-year-old.  His birthday fell on Superbowl Sunday.  Things snowballed.  The things I learned from hosting this one little, bitty party were life-changing.

In 2013, I was a working mom with a dream of hosting a joint first birthday party and Superbowl Sunday party in our new home.  It started out small, with the discovery of these invitations on Etsy:

Invitations // That Party Girl

And then the Super FIRST Birthday theme took on a life of its own from there with banners, a goal post, and football field buffet, OH MY!

On the morning of Noah’s Super First Birthday Party, I started to hang the decorations with my team of  birthday party helpers in place [my mom and her husband].

Geegs and Papa Dave hanging the banners…a little more to the left Geegs… 😉

Banner // former Etsy Shop Owner // Delightful Prints

Goal Post // PVC Pipe, Styrofoam form, and trash can

One of my favorite “Watch Me Grow” Banners // Football #’s by Polka Dot Cheeks

I am one banner // former Etsy Shop Owner // Delightful Prints

Awaiting the spread

Utensil Holders // Vegetable Cans wrapped with scrapbook paper

Like I said before, I learned A LOT about hosting just from this one party. We were preparing a full buffet for 15+ people.  My mom mentioned in the early afternoon that I should probably get some stuff prepped, but my naive self thought there would be plenty of time for all that…so instead we got ready.

Lesson #1: Prep over Primp!

I found the idea for our birthday outfits on Etsy.  The experience with the seller was unfortunate and ended with me cancelling my purchase.  Lucky enough for me, my friend and former co-worker was skilled enough to replace NFL with ONE for me.  I printed the logos and the names/numbers for the back on iron-on transfers using an inkjet printer.  Since I was mildly obsessed with these shirts, I wanted my niece and nephew in DC to celebrate with us in spirit, so I made them shirts too!

Now that the guests were arriving, we finally got around to making the food………..

Luckily, I have the best husband (a small humble brag) in the world and he slaved away in the kitchen while I played hostess.

At last…the food is ready

Food label table tents // Polka Dot Cheeks

Because inquiring minds want to know, here’s what our Super First Birthday Menu consisted of:

• Buffalo Chicken Casserole
• Cornbread Casserole (a Taylor Canfield creation)  [similar]
• Paula Deen’s Mac & Cheese
• Turkey Pesto Sliders
• Italian Layer Bake [our least fave on the menu]
• Paula Deen’s Corn Pepper Salad

And what’s a first birthday party without a smash cake from the most delicious bakery in Louisville [Desserts by Helen]?

Bib // Polka Dot Cheeks

And of course there were presents…………..

Uncle Jay & Aunt Alli bought Noah his first pair of Jordan’s that hang in his bedroom now

A big party is a lot for a little guy to take in.  Noah, who is usually happy and social, spent most of the party being held by one grandparent or another.

Lesson #2: Less is More (guest list wise for a little guy!)

I don’t think GeeGee minded one bit though…

Sweet dreams to our Super ONE year old boy.

Lesson #3: Overboard is overrated.

I have thrown 4 themed out birthday extravaganzas and promised myself that this year we would keep it simple.  I feel like I’ve finally learned that no theme or decoration can make the celebration of my baby boy’s birth any more special than it already is and the best gift I can give him is a mama who is totally chill ;).

I cannot believe we are gearing up for his 4th birthday party now.  Where has the time gone and why does it involve the Power Rangers?!

Xx,