Birthday Party

On Sunday August 26, 2012 we had Max's First Birthday Party!

3 months ago I thought doing a kid's birthday party for the first time would be no big deal but when the time was close, I was freakin' out and asking friends with kids for advice. Do you have games at a one yr old party? How much food to have? etc. I have heard of pretty elaborate 1 yr old parties thrown by these crazy Texans (bounce houses, big elaborate themes, clowns, magicians, etc). I knew I didn't want to go that far! So we kept it simple... fruits and veggies, cake, presents, and visiting with friends.

I stressed last night about getting as much as possible unpacked and cleaned up (or at least boxes stacked up neatly). Everyone that was coming KNEW that this party was happening the day that we moved in. I did this on purpose because then they wouldn't have huge expectations and would focus more on the house than the furnishings. Someday my house will be completely decorated and furnished but that is a long way off and will be a slow process...it's a big house! I figure it's better to have our friends see the house and get the "tour" when they aren't expecting it to be all decorated rather than come in 6 months thinking it will be decorated when it won't be. :)

Stinkin' Pinterest!  I have had 0 interest in Pinterest until Max's birthday (I have a belief that Pinterest would really only serve to make me feel inadequate and frustrated since I don't have much free time to cook, create, travel, etc based on the things I pin)... I got on there to look for one thing and ended up with a bunch of ideas that I now had to execute.  (Which also meant staying up late the night before the party getting everything done.  See why I have stayed away?!)
Pinterest Project: I made (with some help from Peter) a photo banner with one picture of Max.  There was one picture from each month from day 1 to 1 year old.  I love how it turned out.

From Day 1 to 7 months

5 months to 1 year

The entire banner

Pinterest Project: I got these white wood block letters to put at the front door with some balloons.  It was my idea to decorate them to match the "theme".  (There was no real theme for the party, just some decorations with polka dots.)

Max woke up in a happy mood like usual.

Decorations

This was Peter's present on his birthday -

we both love this picture of Max and I got it printed on canvas for him.

Decorations on the patio

It was windy outside and the balloons were blowing everywhere.

Max was shy with all the attention at the party when we were singing Happy Birthday to him.

Tyler and Hayden help him blow the candle out (you can see his 2 cakes - the dinosaur cake for everyone else and his brownie bear cake)  You can read here and here about why I went with the brownie cake.

I tried to get Max to wear the hat - no go.

Max trying the frosting on the bear

Yummmm

About to dig into that bear's head

Max loved the brownie.  I tried to get him to try the other cake and he wanted nothing to do with it.

Max watched the other kids while we opened his presents.  :)

Jeff and Andrea

Max was really excited about this little people airplane.

Awesome Aunt Kimi - I was so glad she could be in town for the party. 

Max reading one of his cards.

Cute PJs!

Max's first crayons of his own and paper 

Aunt Kimi got him the cutest outfit from Janie and Jack - look at the hat.

"Which toy do I play with, I can't decide!"

"For now...I'll play with the dump truck"

Max is going to have fun playing with the mega blocks

(in a few months - right now I don't think he gets it)

I was trying to get Max to wave goodbye but he wouldn't do it

The food

I didn't do a good job of getting pictures of everyone at the party.  I will do better next time! 
People at the party:
From Peter's work -
Andrea, Jeff, and S
Tim with his cute kids C and J
Our Friends - Jessica, John, and C
From Kallie's work - Lori and K
Brittany and Kimberly and their families
I thought the party went well.  I am glad we did it even though the timing was crazy.  Big thanks to my sisters for helping get the house ready, plus helped so much with the party too (they made the awesome brownie bear).  I seriously would be lost without them.

After the party all the family went to Olive Garden for some food before we had to take Kimberly and the kids to the airport.

Max was finally warming up to Aunt Kimi

Uncle Peter, Tyler, and Kaity

Cute!

Brittany, Landen, Joe, and Hayden

The whole group - the Nelson girls and their families

At Max's birthday party, C (who is 3 months younger) was clapping.  We showed him jokingly saying, "see Max?  That's how you clap." 

Well, all of a sudden that afternoon at the restaurant, Max started clapping!!!!  We couldn't believe it.  Once he started he didn't stop.  So proud.  :)  (I think he may not have wanted Claire to be able to show him up anymore.)

Video - Here's Max clapping to a song.  Way to go buddy!

Peter grilled some burgers for dinner.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHH finally!

Max has started laying his head down on our shoulders a lot more lately which is sweet and I love.  He is also starting to interact with Landen.  In the past he would play next to him but wouldn't really play with him.  It's fun to watch.