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(hgd photography)

I read once that the first birthday party is really for the parents.  After spending any time on Pinterest searching kids birthday parties, there is a crap ton of information that supports that claim.  From the decorations to the themes, to the party favors and the food, some of these One Year celebrations are enough to qualify for a reality show of their own.  Did anyone else see the Marie Antoinette First Birthday?  You think I’m making this up, but truly, it’s real.  Kudos to the mom who created such a féte; it’s really something to behold.

When Mo and Co each turned one, we kept it simple.  Family came over. We ate, we sang, we let the girls eat cake.  So, too, this is what we did with V.  My parents came, my brother, my father-in-law, and V’s godparents.  We had burgers, and chicken, my grandmother’s potato salad, and cupcakes that I did not make.  I know! Shut the front door on that one, but yes, I decided to forgo getting all Betty Crocker and let Pearl’s Cupcakes do the heavy lifting on this one.  We had home made iced tea and cold beers. It was a perfect summer meal on an overcast and slightly rainy early summer day.  We sang the song and the girls helped V blow out her candle.  I made vodka tonics for the grown ups, while my brother made drunken gummy bears for me and him to share.  We ate. We laughed. We talked. The girls disappeared to watch TV while V napped.  We ate again. We laughed some more. We talked even more.  The party came to its natural end, and everyone was sufficiently sated with fellowship, food, and fun.  The girls reappeared, looking for dinner and trying to stave off bedtime.  So we ate again and laughed some more.

After even had returned safely home, after the girls had been bathed, pj’ed and dropped in their beds, the house was quiet again.  The Hubs thanked me for pulling together such a nice time for our family.  I know it was V’s birthday, but I think with those simple words, I’m pretty sure I got the gift.