On Saturday, November 1, we celebrated the 1st birthday of our not-so-baby boy, Ethan. I tell ya, this day had been on my mind for quite some time. Not only was this my first time actually getting to plan a birthday party and take my time making and baking things, but it would be our last time celebrating a first birthday. Yep, shop is CLOSED. Holla!
The weeks leading up to the party were pretty hectic. Not only is our oldest involved in basketball on weekends, but I was also at the tail end of my half-marathon training, which was the weekend before his party. More on that later. As if time wasn’t already against us, we had to worry about the weather. Living in Central Florida, you never know what you’re going to get. First we were worried it would be too hot, then worried about rain, finally a couple of days before the big day, the all-knowing weatherman proclaimed it would be one of the nicest days in Central Florida with a high of 73 and lots of sunshine. We woke up to a high of 60 and wind gusts of up to 25 mph. Awesome…
While my in laws and the hubby were at Aiden’s basketball game and the birthday boy was napping, I was able to finish some of the appetizers and get some things set up. My friend, Kerri, came over a little earlier to help set up and she brought along a few masterpieces of her own.
I don’t know how or why, but no matter how hard I try, how long I plan, how late I stay up baking, I always end up with guests arriving as I am STILL setting up. Although I was stressed in the beginning, it all came together fabulously thanks to the help of family and friends and we had a great time, especially the birthday boy.

Ahhh this face!!! I can’t believe my baby is a year old already!!! This pic is a little blurry, but it was just too damn cute to not post. His adorable onesie was made by The Bird & Bee.

This chalkboard “design” took me 4 hours to finally get it right and it’s still not as “Pinterest-Worthy” as I would have liked it to be.

Part of the “Happy Birthday Ethan” sign my sweet friend, Kerri, made. I wasn’t able to get the whole banner in a picture you could see clearly, but it was sooo stinkin’ cute!

So…I borrowed this popcorn machine from my mom last minute and had no idea how to operate it. She explains “Plug this in here, that there, connect the blue wire to the red wire, then twist the white wire around” JK, but that’s what I heard. I plug it in, pour in the oil and corn kernels, and switch the power button on. The popcorn thingamajig starts spinning. Yay! I did it! 10 minutes later…nothing. I finally see the other cord hanging in the back, get it plugged in, and boom, we have popcorn.

Yummy toppings for the popcorn! I got the salt and pepper shakers at IKEA – 4 in a pack for less than $3!!!

I’m a little embarrassed to even post this picture for a few reasons. (1) No, I did not have any before writing the name, my chalk writing skills are just terrible in small spaces (2) I’ve never owned a drink dispenser like this (still working on my hosting skills and capabilities) and didn’t realize I could turn it over and not have it wobbly (3) After taping what seemed like every inch of the table only to have the table cloth smack us back in the face due to “up to 25 mph wind gusts”, we gave up and left them off. Naked tables FTW! However, all that aside, the Spiked Apple Cider was pretty awesome.

Once the sun was out a little more, it actually felt nice enough to play some games outside. Side Note: I will NEVER again load hay into my car. Bad idea. Baaaaaadddd idea.

Loved this picture board Kerri made with highlights from Ethan’s 1st 12 months!

At least the Dollar Store tablecloths were put to use inside.

In addition to the Pigs in a Blanket, Mac ‘N Cheese Bites, & Mini Cornbread Muffins pictured, we also had Zucchini Tots and some Homemade Chili that Kerri made.

Instead of serving cake to the guests, I opted for these delicious Vanilla Cupcakes with a vanilla buttercream frosting that my friend, Heather, made (she made the same ones for her daughter’s 1st birthday – same theme, same day, made the party planning easier for both of us), Kerri made some yummy Mini Pecan Pies, and I made my Brownies and Mini Pumpkin Pies.

I had never made a smash cake before, but with the help of Heather and this recipe, it turned out pretty good.

This is the reaction we got when we took his clothes off and put him in his highchair. (Oh b-t-dubs, Kerri made the highchair banner too. She’s so good)

“Ooohhh this is for Moi?!?”

OmNomNomNom…I think it’s safe to say he enjoyed his cake. *Let me just go ahead and brush dat dirt off muh shulda*

Once the birthday boy was all cleaned up, he had a blast opening presents. My house officially looks like a daycare.

Of course the day would not have been completed without a family pic whilst sitting on the hay bales I just HAD to have.
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