Birthday Party Recap

I just realized I never actually posted about my little dude's birthday party! Bah! Cannot forget these most memorable times!

I have never had so much fun at a birthday party as I did throwing Steven's 1st birthday party. I think we threw a pretty great party, but I think everyone who came, and the atmosphere of celebration were what really mattered.

We did a football theme. Anyone who knows my side of the family couldn't help but wonder why. All my brothers have played football, and as Steven has been growing this last year into a huge little boy, we know he will be joining the football game too eventually. It also seemed fitting as his birthday is in the midst of play-offs and right before the Superbowl. I wouldn't be surprised if we reprise the theme in later years. I went a little crazy at Party City, but man was it fun to have everything decked out in footballs and Seahawks colors (of course). We ate "game time" food. Pizza, chips & salsa, veggie platters and a fruit platter for good measure. The kids mostly feasted on Pirates Booty (best kid snack ever).

Lots of friends and family were in attendance, and lots of Steven's buddies too. I think that's what made the party. The entertainment - those kids had us laughing forever! Steven ended up with lots of spoils, including books, lots of Noah's ark animals, and our favorite - the tunnel! This had us all laughing hysterically. The kids went wild for it and we almost forgot about cake for a while...almost.

Mom and Steven before opening presents

checking out his new toy

playing with his buddies

kids all huddled around - so cute!

Emery and Steven in the tunnel

Apparently, pants are optional in the tunnel

The cake. It did not turn out as I originally had hoped. I had intended on piping everything with butter cream, that the little football picks would be in green "grass" atop the cupcakes, and that Steven's cake would have grass around the base of the football. The egg whites for my butter cream recipe were a complete fail. I ended up with curdled butter cream - I lost it for a few minutes...ruining my son's birthday cake and all. Half an hour before the party started, my mom came and saved the day by making some delicious cream cheese frosting and piping it on all the cupcakes for me. I only shed a few tears, but what is a birthday party (even for a 1 yr. old) without a little drama??

Mom saved the day!

I almost got emotional as we sang happy birthday to Steven. My little guy is ONE! He soon had me laughing as he was quite overwhelmed by the singing and just sat with his mouth wide open in amazement. Steven was hesitant about digging into his cake at first (he has an appreciation for beautiful work...hehe), but after a while, he couldn't be stopped. It was hilarious. Even more hilarious, were his grandmothers sitting directly in front of him, both holding their cameras and cheering him to make the biggest mess possible. Thanks, Moms. He succeeded when he dumped the entire plate of cake onto the floor.



a better view of the cake...he's starting slow



Grandma's capturing the moment

All in now

That face says, "No more cake"....sugar coma on our hands

After the cake had been devoured, our friends began to filter out and head home. The party ended on time and I thought for sure Steven would be ready for a nap...but no. He resisted the rest of the day, but wasn't unhappy, actually I think just super energized from the party. He played and laughed and cuddled with us the rest of the day until bedtime.

Don't let that yawn fool you...

...this kid is only just getting started

Even now I am having trouble believing my boy is ONE. He seems to be changing overnight from baby to little boy. He is crawling on hands and knees all the time now, pulling himself up, talking up a storm (in his own little language of course) and getting cuter with every passing day. Can't we just bottle them up for a little while so it doesn't go by so fast??