First Year Baby Birthday Bash

The first year of a baby's life is filled with new experiences not only for the child but for the parents as well. Pediatrician's visits, immunizations, growth charts, gross-motor developmental skills, eye and hand coordination,sleep, nutrition, stimulation,relaxation and SID is all part of the first year anxiety. A parent is bombarded with questions and concerns about their child everyday, throughout the day. It is a marathon year accomplished with minimum sleep, meals on the go and little or no "me" time, so it is no wonder that often times the first birthday bash is a parental celebration of relief.

So party with fun and flair keeping the little one front and center. Be prepared to accommodate the child's needs to be part of the action and mindful when too much stimulation can quickly turn the party into a no-fun zone, without the ability for the baby to take a much-needed power nap. Schedule the party around your child's eating and sleeping patterns. Everyone including you will fun, if the little one is fed and well-rested when your guests arrive.

Begin with the baby's first birthday cake, complete with candles and song. At this point there is so much stimulation the addition of photo taking will hardly be noticed and will give you fabulous shots that you can mount on a birthday poster board for the guests who arrive later. This is a wonderful time for the younger children to participate in some simple party games that are fun to watch for the adults and fun to play for the children. Some simple games to play include:

1. Magic Ball

2. Musical chairs

3. Simon Says

4. Pin the Tail on the Donkey

5. Pinata

Remember everyone plays everyone wins, by making playing the focus and gifting everyone with a grab bag after all the games are done. Including bubbles, hula hoops, jump ropes,or Frisbees provides another element the children can play with after the guided activities have concluded. After all the children's activities are done it is then a perfect time to show a classic children's favorite movie, complete with popcorn and juice boxes,.Put the star-of-the-day down for a nap and concentrate on some well-deserved adult time.

As the children enjoy a movie that generally runs approximately one hour, you and your guest can enjoy a relaxing meal. There are plenty of great culinary choices that provide you the ability to prepare the meal ahead of time and enjoy it when the time is right. Add a tossed salad and a fruit cup with a beverage of choice and the meal is complete. Some great party food favorites include;

1. quiche

2. chili

3.chicken, broccoli and cheese casserole

4.lasagna

To ensure the party flows, use music to control the mood and energy. Music from Disney's classics is a wonderful way to begin, played at a volume that allows for comfortable conversation and doesn't over stimulate. During the adults meal switch to classical, jazz or light rock, which ever would promote pleasing background music. If dancing is an element you want to include in your celebration, following the adults meal is a great time to shake things up a bit before baby is awake to say good-bye and thanks to family and friends.

Have a dish of Hersey's Kisses and a thank you card tree at the door as people leave to ensure that your guests know how much it meant to you and baby that they came and celebrated that all important first-year birthday.