party planner

I set sort of unrealistic expectations for my kid's birthday parties when Renee had her first birthday. I think I forgot that someday she was going to turn two and then when she turned two I swore that I wasn't going to go crazy and I was going to keep it low-key. And then I went crazy. 

Then I had another baby and GOOD LORD that is an awful lot of birthday party planning.

But in a good way.

Because I LOVE doing it. I get all of these ideas floating around in my brain and I lay awake at night thinking about it. I scour etsy looking for inspiration, do random googling like "activities for first birthday party" and sit at the computer for hours coordinating the invitations with the thank-you cards with the decorations. I make banners and cakes and personalized stickers. Somedays I think should have been a party planner because it really is one of the few things that I really love.

I'm eye deep in birthday planning right now because my baby? He turns one next week. Sniff, sniff. Me hurting my back has set me back (no pun intended) but I made a vow today to follow through on my plans. My husband can try to talk me into ordering pizzas and buying a cake but I am just not made that way and I would be sad on his first birthday. I want to be happy on his first birthday. But I'm going to be sad because you know, WHERE DID MY BABY GO?

What do you do for birthday parties? Low-key? All out? Just family? Where do you find your inspiration?

Here's a peek of Cam's 1st birthday - the invitation, which I ordered from annoncingyou on etsy:
 

Comments

[Davina]

I'm sad I'm missing birthday number one, but I won't miss number two or Renee's number three, promise!!!

What are your plans for Xmas this year? Looks like we might be heading to the Falls, if you'll be there.

[Heather Miller]

I thought I used to go overboard, then I saw your parties - YIKES! I have determined the blow out birthday bash was a huge mistake. I can't keep up anymore. But I have to say, Ava's pool party (while extremely easy setup and cleanup) was just not the same as the giant tea party we had when she was 4! (I think you were there for that one ;)) Good luck and Happy Birthday Cam!