Replanning 1st bday party

[somebabiesmom]

We were going to do just family but then my SIL bailed. So it will be me, DH, our two kids, and mil. Which is lame. I thought about extending invites to a bunch of friends and at least try to get some more kids on the guest list, but it's so last minute now. Any suggestions for fun things to do to make sure a 1-yr-old has the time of her life?

[mustardseed2007]

Actually this happened with ds's first birthday (Sil also bailed on his 2nd, and 3rd so I fully expect them to bail on dd's first as well-I just wish they wouldn't act like they were coming and then bail at the last minute). What I ended up doing the first time around was invite a cousin who has a son. I'm not sure it was worth worrying about though. There is nothing my kids like more than sitting in front of a bunch of adults who think they are awesome. It was more like a family get together than a kids birthday party-except for the presents and the cake.

[enigmaticdrscully]

Your 1-year-old isn't going to remember it anyway. I'm planning to save the complicated parties for when LO actually cares who is there. On LO's 1-year birthday, we went to the zoo, just me, MH, LO, and 2 grandparents.

[somebabiesmom]

We're thinking Chucky Cheese. There's some rides there she can enjoy and stuff for a 2yo, too. We did it up big for DS, so we feel bad not doing more. ?

[ECB]

Feb 21, 2015 22:52:02 GMT -5 somebabiesmom said:

We're thinking Chucky Cheese. There's some rides there she can enjoy and stuff for a 2yo, too. We did it up big for DS, so we feel bad not doing more. ?

really - your kids aren't going to go to therapy in 20 years over "but my mom didn't have a huge party for my 1st like brothers!!!!"

[somerandomchick]

Big first birthday parties are exhausting and stressful for the birthday kid! The time of their life is probably a few people to spoil them with attention, some yummy food, and not screwing up their nap schedule

[k3am]

If you were planning on a small family gathering, keep it that way. No need to put on a big hoopla unless it's something you really want to do.

[junebug]

We kept it small for both kids.  Just family and a couple of friends.  They won't remember it anyhow.

[somebabiesmom]

I have a feeling these kids' birthdays are always going to be kind of crappy b/c they are both during winter. There's 3 years worth of indoor activities and then what are we going to do? I foresee a parentally-created spin in the future where mundane is re-termed "tradition."

[pittpurple]

Feb 23, 2015 8:41:04 GMT -5 somebabiesmom said:

I have a feeling these kids' birthdays are always going to be kind of crappy b/c they are both during winter. There's 3 years worth of indoor activities and then what are we going to do? I foresee a parentally-created spin in the future where mundane is re-termed "tradition."

Yeah, I was thinking that too (DD is practically the same age as your son - November 27th, 2012!). We just have parties at the house for our friends plus any children they have but I know eventually we'll need to have some more thought behind it. I really don't think it's worth stressing for a 1 year old though, my daughter just watched the other kids unwrap her presents, threw her cake on the ground and took a nap at her first party.

[Divefrog]

Be thankful you aren't having to worry about keeping older kids entertained. Adult family members don't have any entertainment needs other than some food, beverage and a comfy place to sit. Kids expect a bunch more. DD is the youngest so for her birthday's I am always trying to think of things/places to have her party that her older cousins aged (4-14) would all enjoy.

DD's first year we had 20 family members at the zoo, and last year we did a farm theme and had the same 20 family members out picking strawberries, petting zoo, tractor rides at a local adventure farm. I have been racking my brain for this year. I finally decided to have brithday #3 at a newly opened aquarium this year. I can't wait until elementary school when she has her own firends and we can start having parties with all the same age kids. Then I feel like I could put together a party at our house with an activity or two that all the kids would like and that doesn't have to cater to adults also.

[litzo27]

somebabiesmom - the upside of winter birthdays is that their friends are likely to be around. My DS1 is August and everybody is on vacation. Until they are like 8 there is lots of "organized" party stuff you can do - where we live the natural history museum is very popular, also the clay painting place, arcade, etc. (and the gyms/bouncy house for younger kids). When they are older they'll just want to have some friends over for a movie, game night. Maybe sleep over down the line.