Firstly, allow me to start this post by saying: I can’t believe I have a TODDLER! It is downright scary how quickly the first year of Ben’s life flew by….
Which brings me to the point of this post: first Birthday celebrations. I always thought that I “wouldn’t go overboard” with my child’s first Birthday. Maybe have our family (those that are local enough) over for a sweet little cake and a couple of gifts (which, as we all know, would really just be a medium for Ben to get the more beloved treasure of the actual box). Honestly, how much is a one year old going to remember? Then I had Ben, and my thinking changed just a smidgen considerably.
Quite frankly, this year has been simultaneously the most rewarding/hardest/exhausting/amazing of my life. With that in mind, a first Birthday is not only a way of celebrating your little one’s big one (year), but also sort of a fist-pump to yourself as a parent for surviving the first year reflecting upon how amazing the last 365 days have been. I’m not saying I went out and booked Rihanna to serenade Ben and his mini-peeps with her rendition of “Happy Birthday”, and Ben wasn’t parachuted down as a grand entrance to his party- but I did indulge in a little Bee-day festivities:
In my defense, the hubbs and I made everything ourselves (with the exception of these invites that I found on Etsy). Still, I can’t help wondering if my former-self would have thought my present-self “went overboard”…? Ultimately though, I find myself doing a lot of things I wouldn’t have thought I would do a year ago, like busting out in Toddler Tunes (often in public), and spending hours days online researching the best strollers.
AND, the time and money spent on the Birthday Bee-day party was 100% worth it when I saw this stinkin’ face:
That boy can manhandle a cupcake…takes after his mommy 
You can bet your bottom dollar there are a whole slew of other adorable pics where these came from that will eventually make their way onto one of our caption contests!
*Random side note* Just some food for thought for all the party-planning parents out there: we had a (very talented) friend take pictures on Ben’s Bee-day and it was the best decision ever! I was so busy dishing out bee-bee-que pulled pork and honey lemonade, that I didn’t have time to snap a single picture (bad mom!).
AND, just in case you were curious, there is a great tutorial on how to make bee-hive cupcakes here. Or you can check out how to make tissue paper pouf-balls here.
What do you think of first Birthday celebrations? The bigger, the better…or simple and small? Do you have any fun Birthday traditions for the kids in your house?
-J
ps- for all the local readers: if you are looking for a fantastic photographer, contact Sarah Cocina (sarahvcocina@gmail.com)!
mamateurs
Ben’s party looks like it was a huge success and I am obsessed with those bee cupcakes-so cute!! I say heck yes to throwing an over the top, huge celebration for the first bee-day. I think it’s a great way to celebrate all of the parent’s hard work and the little one’s hard work too. I also say that it is fun to throw the first one yourself and do all the work, and from then on just pay someone else to worry about it
Way to go Mama on making it through the first year!!
Thanks Julia! I think our next big birthday bash for Ben won’t be until he’s a couple years older. But one is such a milestone! Of course, I say that now….
I had so many other cute, kid-themed birthday party ideas!
xo,
-J
I think Ben’s Bee-Day was AMAZING… I think I may have had more fun than the toddlers did! Plus, this was Owen’s first time attending a birthday party! You and Art never cease to amaze me at your crafting/baking/decorating skills! Ben is going to look back at all of the pictures and appreciate what great (and very cool) parents he has!!
Thanks Kaitlin! It is so much fun to watch the little ones in their element, interacting with their peeps! Wait till O turns the the big 0-1
It’s crazy how quickly time flies!!
xo,
-J
Such a great theme and execution! Hat’s off to you and Art for such a great parrr-tay! When Ben is older he will be so grateful to you for putting in the effort. J
Thanks Jaime! SO many other future themes in mind…I better have another kid soon
xo,
-J
I absolutely love the “bee-day” party theme! You and Art did a fabulous job with all of the decorations, cupcakes, and honey lemonade. I don’t think it was over the top at all….he only turns one once and even after that, birthdays are only once a year! You deserve that “fist pump” every year as parents! Plus when Ben is old enough to look back and see all that you guys did for him he will really appreciate it!
By the way, I gotta tell ya, Ben is just adorable! Cannot believe how big he has gotten since the last time I saw him at Jen’s! That smile could brighten anyones day for sure!!
Thanks Michelle! I’m know I’m a bit partial, but he does have quite the smile…and it is even cuter when it is packed with cupcake goodness
Just so we are clear on who masterfully made the cupcakes… it was I! So for all you Queen Bees out there, hit me up if you want some baking tips! My secret… boxed cake mix! shhhh, dont tell Ben! Seriously, thank you to all friends and family that attended, it made for a very memorable day for our entire family!
Ummm….hang on there Cakemaster: it was a team effort. I did the assembling!! But you have excellent icing skillzzzzz. And also, thanks to Jenna for letting us borrow her baking tools!
Wow, Jamie!! I’m impressed! Happy 1st birthday to Ben! You did such an amazing job on his birthday party, it looks like so much fun! You should definitely bee a professional party planner, photographer, writer, blogger, should I go on!! Just amazing, I’m inspired:). Love this page! Hope to see you and meet your beautiful baby boy soon!
Thanks Leah! I’m blushing! I can’t credit for the AMAZING pics though- we had a photographer friend capture Ben’s big day!
Can’t wait for our next trip up to Portland. Ben could hang with G&G
Those pictures came out amazing!!! I will definitely keep your photographer in mind. I feel like I have missed out on many awesome photo opps by not being talented with my camera. I loved Braden’s 1st birthday party and agree it was probably more for the adults, but celebrating that first year was well deserved.
I was also lucky enough to be a guest at Ben’s bee-day party and I thought it was perfect! Definitely not ‘over the top’…it was adorable and memorable. I think when you do everything yourself (like you did), it’s adding ‘special touches’ and is a lasting memory for you and your baby. The pictures came out great. Sarah did my wedding pictures and pictures of my daughter when she was 3 months old and they came out AMAZING!! She comes highly recommended
This is really sweet. For my first son’s first birthday, we had a big camping party with friends. It was a total celebration of us. Yay.
What an awesome party!! It’s beeutiful!