Isaac's First Birthday Party!

The first birthday milestone! We all made it!

For the past several months with all the house hunting and house drama all I wanted and kept sharing was the intention to be in a house for Isaac's first birthday.  Little did I know we would be moving in two weeks before hand.  Talk about motivation!  I've never been more motivated to get moved, unpacked, organized and settled so quickly.  For the past couple of weeks I was an early riser, which most of you know is a feat in and of itself!  Lots of long days and late nights but it was all worth it.  I couldn't have been happier to celebrate Isaac's first birthday in our new home while starting a new chapter at the same time.

The great thing about first birthday's.....it's the first birthday party we've planned.  Considering we had no set expectations and nothing to compare it to we settled for as low key as I could handle.  It is after all a birthday and you know how much I love birthdays!

Papa worked very hard blowing up balloons and I helped tie a few.  We purchased a few decorations for the dining room and little did we know how time consuming unwinding spirals would be to hang from the ceiling.

A birthday sign for the yard was also an essential element.  The sign had a perfect place to tie a set of balloons too.  Let's just say that didn't work out so well.  One of the first things Frazer did was run to Party City to get a big bouquet of balloons.  The balloons were tied up and in a blink they were floating away.

Well, no party is complete without birthday balloons for the birthday boy and to greet party-goers.  So, Frazer couldn't let his son miss out on balloons so he made another trip and bought a second set of balloons. This set was tied to the mailbox and they didn't get away. :)

We picked out one picture from each month of Isaac over the past year.  It seemed simple enough but picking just one per milestone was a challenge.  I loved looking back through all the milestones and memories.  I also loved having all of his pictures displayed to reflect on how much Isaac has changed.  It's truly been a wonderful year!

Of course the birthday boy had to have the best seat of the party.  We found a highchair decorating packet for first birthdays.  It was simply yet cute.  The floor cloth was a great idea in preparation of cake time.

We used table cloths and balloons to create the perfect pop of color for the wall.  This spot also became the perfect staging area for first birthday presents. :)

Given the time of the event and our location in Georgia we figured the perfect spread of vittles would be barbecue from Jim 'N Nick.  Frazer placed the order a couple of days in advanced and the morning of the party he went to pick everything up.  He made it back right as the event was kicking off, a few guest had arrived and he discovered they had forgotten to include the buns! So, Frazer made a last minute scramble to Publix for buns.  While he was gone more guest were arriving and I was so humbled by everyone pitching in to get the food unpacked and into serving bowls while I finished the cake!

The center of every birthday party is the birthday cake.  I debated on how to set the cake up for Isaac so I settled for a giant cup cake.  I wasn't sure if I should give him a slice of cake or give him the entire cake so I made two.  The night before I was up icing the cakes and did not like the icing recipe at all!  It was way too sweet.  But, I was missing ingredients to create another recipe and had to wait until the morning to finish the cakes.  First thing in the morning a trip to the store was made by super papa!  When I started icing the cakes I couldn't get the icing to stick, then I ran out of icing.  You might say there was a bit of cake drama.  No worries though, I made another batch of icing while the cakes were in the refrigerator to stiffen up and Grandma Sue stepped in to help as soon as she arrived.

Before we knew it all the guests had arrived, the table was set, the cakes were finished and it was time to eat!  Isaac was also a trooper and somehow I think he knew he was the center of attention.  Usually he can be very shy around a group of people but he was a little cuddle bug and soaked up all the love for his celebration.

When it was cake time Isaac was loaded up in his chair of honor, the candle was lit and everyone sang Happy Birthday. He wasn't sure what to think of the cake and was puzzled by what he should do with it.  He gently reached out to touch the icing.  I really expected him to dig in and smash it.  Nope.  He was gentle.  Full of curiosity. 

After a minute or so of watching him observe his cake I scooped up a bit of icing on my finger and put it in his mouth.  After a few smacks he figured that wasn't so bad.  Up to this point, Isaac really hasn't had any sugar, no cookies, candies or ice cream.  Only fruit.  This was an entirely new experience and a giant cup cake at that!

After a bit of encouragement from the on-lookers Isaac scooped up some icing and decided it would be fun to smear it all over papa's face!  Everyone laughed.  Okay. That was fun.  Let's do that again!  Yep, more laughs.... Isaac was starting to get the hang of it.  

He still didn't do as much damage as I would have expected even after cutting a slice for him.  But, it was fun and a new experience.  Which meant it was cake and ice cream time for everyone!  

Once everyone was loaded up with sugar it was present time.  Isaac wasn't sure where to start.  He was more interested in the gift bags and tissue paper.  He really wasn't concerned about items being in the packages.  After opening a few gifts little man started rubbing his eyes so we knew there was no way he would be able to open them all in one sitting.  He tuckered out before everyone had left.  Birthday parties equal tired little boys. 

The entire past year has been a humbling experience in so many ways.  I was equally humbled by everyone that came to celebrate this milestone with us as was so touched by everyone's generosity.  Isaac was showered with birthday gifts.  I genuinely appreciate everyone for their kindness, support and generosity over the past year.  

A big thank you to everyone for Isaac's birthday.  Since this blog also serves as a memory book for Isaac to reflect on many moons from now......Isaac, below is a list of all the wonderful gifts you received for your very first birthday!

Melissa & Doug classic toy / Stacking Train ~ From Rolf, June, Sten & Evin Erickson

Gift cards for Target ~ From Jennifer Whitt aka: Auntie

Friends School t-shirt & sweat shirt, Island Surfer outfit ~ From Siobhan Way

Plaid Road Trip outfit ~ From Craig & Julia Easley

Sesame Street Story Book Reader ~ From Shannon Masourian

Garden set, Grandma Time Ball Cap, Red Rocker, Sock Monkey, Playskool Roll'n Pop Express Train ~ From Grandma & Grandpa Strickling

Little Blue Truck book ~ From Peggy Meyers

Learning Express toy ~ From Kathy Camp

Dr. Suess Books (One Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish / Green Eggs & Ham), Count & Build Snail Pail ~ Holley Hughes

Under the Same Moon story book ~ From Grandma and Grandpa Middleton

Walking Dinosaur, Xylophone, Wooden Block Set, Richard Scarry's Biggest Word Book Ever ~ From Mama & Papa

Wooden Puzzle ~ From Kali Moffatt

Lego Dump Truck ~ From our new neighbors the Klabunde's.