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Yesterday we had a small family birthday party for Nolan. Now you may recall the complete lack of domesticity that I typically bring to the (literal) table when hosting events. I covered this lack of skill in some detail in the post How to Host Like a Boss (Disclaimer: I Have No Idea). Well friends, this past weekend I was put to the test with the big first birthday, and I think we came out on top. I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to brag, BUT I did manage to put together an entire crock pot meal before Brian even woke up! Sure that entailed me dumping a chicken breast and can of pineapple into a pot and hitting a button that says “High Heat,” but let’s not split hairs. #winning
Leading up to Nolan’s birthday I *briefly* considered looking up some crafty ideas on Pinterest. Luckily I quickly came to my senses and realized that Party City was a far more reasonable option, and much more suited to my lifestyle of laziness.
(Please note that the adorable elephants hanging down from the blue plate in the photo below are in fact homemade, but not by me. Nope, my sister-in-law Sue pocketed those suckers from a much more Pinterest-ing party that she recently attended and handed them off to me. There is a lesson here: If you are not crafty yourself but you do have the gift of sticky fingers and an amply sized handbag, you can score yourself enough precious homemade cutouts to pass as crafty).
A Party City banner and a few party hats and I’d say we have ourselves a winner! Oh yeah, and sandwiches. Lots of sandwiches.
We did splurge on a pretty kick-ass cake.
Which looked awesome all over Nolan.
Nolan with Papa and Michelle
Nolan with Grandma and Grandpa
Nolan was actually strangely delicate with his cake, not at all in the spirit of reckless abandon/gluttony toward food that I’ve tried to instill in him. He seems to be taking after his father here. Brian is a super slow eater and what I would consider an overly thorough chewer. But that’s just me.
After the cake we opened some gifts, and Brian took hold of my camera. I did not enjoy the results. But for your entertainment I’ve included a few shots capturing my “expressive face” as I opened presents. The expressions below are candid, which I feel like I should point out because it looks like I’m mugging for the camera. I’m not. In fact, there were at least 6 other similar shots of me. WTF Liz? Get your face together!
After Nolan went to bed, we had a little party of our own. This is what Moms Gone Wild would look like, if that was a thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTc01AAwPWo&feature=youtu.be
Ok, just kidding. This video was really from my friend Ben’s 30th birthday party on Saturday. Ben is like a brother to me except for the part where we have different parents. I’ve known him since he was born, or as I once awkwardly said at a family function, “since he was conceived.” Um, no Liz, you were not there for that. But I did grow up next door to his family, and he is like my little brother. I love Ben. Happy 30th Benjo!
And Happy First Birthday Party to my little Nolie!
Love Nolan’s pose in the black and white pic. Great fun! You did good. This reader wants to know if you served chicken and pineapple sandwiches.
Lynda, I did have the buns for some chicken and pineapple sandwiches but I neglected to put them out. And people don’t like to eat sandwiches without buns. I’m still working out the kinks in this whole hosting thing.
Happy birthday to Nolan! He has a great cake face! Also, I have a suggestion to help you. I used to have a terrible gift face, but I also have parents who take pictures of every gift we open at Christmas. I quickly learned that you either smile through the whole gift opening or say something positive the second you tear off the last bit of paper like, “I am so excited to see what thid is!” It’s hard to say the word excited with a bland face. It has saved me! Try that or tell Brian to hold off on pictures until you hold the gift up and say cheese. Action shots not necessary.
Haha Jen I love this! Thanks for the tip. The thing is, I actually AM excited in these photos! The present I was opening was awesome! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But I think it would be a riot to try out your technique anyway 🙂
In retrospect you should have added your dancing technique with Nolie’s at his party. He has really fancy footwork and does the best “jump” ever.
2 great parties in 2 weeks….watch out Martha, here you come!
Oh that’s a really good point Mom! Nolie does have amazing dancing feet for a kid who can’t walk.
Liz… the picture of your party spread looks 100% stolen off of Pinterest… I’m 200% impressed! We had a pool party for K’s first birthday and I too opted for the “lazy” way… or, what I like to call the “whatever comes up in an Amazon search for ‘1st birthday party decorations’ that qualifies for Prime shipping” way. Turns out, everyone has fun as long as there’s an adorable baby smashing cake on his/her face and available booze. It looks like you guys had a great time and, as far as I’m concerned, there’s a tie for “best photo face” between your candid shots and Nolan’s cake smash shots 😉 Congrats!
Exactly Mer, booze and a cake to smash is all you need! Although I am pleased that you think my photo looks Pinterest-worthy. It is literally one banner and some party hats. I’ll take it though, Pinterest-beggars can’t be choosers.
Soooooo cute. Happy birthday, Nolan!!