We made it. One whole year with our girl. And instead of planning a family party and a friend party, we went with one big backyard celebration for everyone we love—kids, cousins, friends, coworkers, grandparents, and tiny humans in rain boots.
🌅 The Morning Of…
R was up bright and early at 5:30am, so we got up with her and started setting up for the day.
At 8:50am, Grandma and Daddy headed out with her to run a few errands and squeeze in a car nap—which thankfully worked. She slept until around 9:45am, giving us just enough time to exhale and finish a few last things.
📸 A Very Chill Birthday Photoshoot
From 10:00–11:00am, we did a relaxed little photoshoot—no outfits, no balloons, no curled hair. Just R exploring all her birthday activity stations with that classic “what is even happening?” one-year-old face.
Guests started to arrive by 10:45am (yes, while we were still mid-photo), which added a tiny sprinkle of chaos to the mix—but honestly, that felt pretty on-brand for year one.
🥳 The Party Plan
- 11:30am – Music class to kick things off
- 12:15pm – Lunch was served
- 12:30pm – Cake smash (and frosting euphoria)
- 1:00–2:00pm – Visiting, activities, and lots of baby giggles
🍽️ The Menu
We fed about 50 people with food that was comforting, casual, and easy to make in bulk:
- Mashed potatoes + gravy
- Beef and Beyond Meat burgers
- Burger toppings (buns, cheese, tomatoes, condiments)
- Peas and carrots
- Cool Ranch Doritos + plain chips
- Costco cake for the sugar crowd
- Homemade sugar-free baby cake (link coming soon!)
- Blueberries
- Non-alcoholic Coronas, caffeine-free pop, and bubbly water
No one left hungry. Including the toddlers.
👶 Activity Stations for the Littles
We set up four zones to keep the kids entertained:
- Cuddle Tent – A quiet space with soft toys, blankets, and books
- Ball Tent – Big balls, small balls, tunnels, and lots of rolling chaos
- Outdoor Blanket Area – Lawn toys on the grass (and under a tent, thanks to the weather)
- Toddler Table – Stickers, crayons, and whatever else stuck to their hands
🌧️ Weather Report: Yes, It Rained
It wouldn’t be a July birthday without a little rain, right? Thankfully we had 10×10 tents, a garage setup for food, and amazing moms who packed rain suits for their kiddos. The toddlers were living their best muddy lives. The adults mostly stayed dry and caught up over burgers.
🎂 Cake & Presents
The cake smash happened at 12:30pm, and it did not disappoint. She went face first into her sugar-free cake, frosting all over her hands and cheeks.
At 2:00pm, Daddy put her down for a nap (she slept until 3:15pm), and then we opened presents. The wrapping paper was clearly the best part.
We finished the day with our usual bedtime routine—tired, happy, and a little sticky from cake.
💛 Final Thoughts
The vibe was cozy, the kids had fun, and we felt so surrounded by love.
One year with R. One party full of laughter. One perfect mess of a day we’ll always remember.
PS: I’ll upload some pictures once we get them back from the photographer!