We had two birthday parties for Atticus this year. I'm not sure if I will do that again - a lot of work for all those involved, including some of the guests! But, the reason I would decide to do two birthday parties again would be because of the fun people that came to each to make them so memorable! We decided to do his first birthday party at 10:30 am on April 23rd at the house. I knew that this would be mostly our friends that we play with during the week, so we definitely kid-themed it. Also, we did this a week early because Molly couldn't be in town the next week and not only do I always need hers and GG's help, but she is so much fun! I was really proud of the planning part of the party. We did a barnyard theme, since Atticus loves farm animals! For food, we had: Pigs in a blanket, apple juice boxes, tractor wheels (chocolate covered donuts), hay stacks (rice krispie treats), chicken feed (golden grahams and M&M's covered in melted chocolate), Atticus' vegetable garden (veggies!), strawberries and pineapple, Cheesy Chicks (cheese slices cut in the shape of a chick), Peanut Bunny sandwiches (peanut butter sandwiches in the shape of bunny heads), cupcakes and of course a fabulous cake! The kids got cowbells when they walked in the door and could decorate their "farm" hats with stickers. We had a relay type of game outside that included crawling under hay bales, carrying eggs on spoons, feeding the pig bean bag toss, rubber ducky races, milking the cow or goat (water through holes in plastic gloves), sack races and pin the tail on the donkey. The kids ate their lunches on the hay bales and went home with fun drinking cups filled with a couple little goodies. The kids played with all of Atticus' ranch toys and Atticus got some great gifts from his friends. I think the best part, after all of the planning, is just letting the kids play and talking to the mamas! It was such a fun day and we had such a good time with all of his friends! I'll talk as I put pictures up too!
After the relay race, the kids went back to the games to play a little more. The favorite was either the rubber ducky race or the milking the cow game.....I decided it was because both featured water!
Atticus was wet! Atticus got all kind of fun gifts from his friends and family: a barn and horses, bubbles, hand drawn pictures, books, a barn and tractor, Memory game, a puzzle, a vet kit, paint, a minion shirt to match his friend Austin, and lots of money!
Then, it was time for lunch on the hay bales!
And, finally it was Atticus' favorite time of day. Time to cut the cake! Since the moment he woke up that morning and saw his birthday cake, he asked me when he could eat it. I told him, originally, that he couldn't have any until his friends were here, meaning that he could eat it at his birthday party. But, as soon as the first friend showed up, he wanted cake and continued to ask for it until we finally let him! Also, Atticus loves to be sung Happy Birthday too! He just grins and grins and is so excited to be the center of attention for the birthday song! Also, let me let you know a little information about this cake. So, I decided I wanted a 3-D type of cake. And I wanted to use his animal toys for it as well. So, after lots of discussion between Molly, GG, and I the day before the party, we decided rice krispie treats were the way to go to build the silo and barn. Molly made them and froze them. Then, about 10pm that night, when we started to decorate the cake, she took them out to find they had expanded a little upon freezing. So, when she started icing them and putting them on the cake, they would lean. It was pretty funny because Molly kept saying these were not structurally sound. Well, they worked great for the party, but over the next couple of days, they leaned more and more until they just about fell over. But, they were so cute! She used peanut butter and golden grahams for the tops of them. And we used edible Easter grass GG found for the grass. It was just a really fun cake and Atticus loved it!
And, then the party was over. Molly, GG, Atticus and I sat and snacked on party food and visited until Molly had to go. It was SO much fun and I can't believe this little boy is so grown up! Here's a few other pics as well!
So glad Cecilia, Luke (only 2 1/2 months old!), Evelyn & Isabelle came!
Also glad that Sarah, Aubrey, and Austin came to the party!
Lydia is just the cutest and we were really glad we ran into she and her mama, Brandi recently to re-connect!
Nathan was so cute playing and having a good time. Glad he and Megan and Cole got to come!
Grace wanted Daddy to hold her a lot during this party! (he got to come home for a long lunch just to watch!)
I'm pretty sure only girls pose for pictures - this was the only posed one I got of all the kids!
Oh Grace! You are the cutest!
