HELP! First Birthday Troubles!

by Ally
(Austin)

My son will be turning 1 in May.

My family is Hispanic, this is important to know because we love to party. In my family we throw those big huge parties and everyone is invited, not just the children but their siblings and parents.

My guest list is about 60 plus, this includes close family and friends and a lot of church members.

My son is a very loved child and everyone wants to come to his party. The ages of the party range from newborn to elderly.

The party is from 2-6 at a park by the lake. The theme is sailboat/nautical, and it's a swimming/ get wet party.

I'm going to set up a baby pool and have water balloons as well as a bounce house which a friend of our own and is putting it up for free.

I have a lot of it set out but I just don't know what kind of activities to have and what I want the menu to be like.

I could go a more traditional route and have fajitas and beans and rice but I don't like that very much.

I could have hamburgers but I don't want my husband to be cooking the whole time. My mom owns a hot dog machine so we are going to put those for the kids, but I'm not sure what else to serve.

I'm a very organized person and I have lists and lists but I just seem so lost. I have no one to turn to and no one wants to help me. Please give me some advice!!

Note From Grandpa Mike

Alley:

First of all congratulations on your son's upcoming first birthday party in May.

Now remember, his birthday isn't until May, so you have plenty of time to put everything together. Besides - birthday's are supposed to be fun - for you too!

You mentioned that you're an organized person with all kinds of lists - and that's a good thing.

Here's a link to our Birthday Party Planning Time Line and it will help you get even more organized.

Your theme sounds like a lot of fun.

Here's what I recommend.

First of all, you said your child is well loved and that your guest list includes a lot of family, friends and church members. So, because you have some time, why don't you ask just 2 or 3 of those good folks to give you a hand.

Someone can take charge of the food, someone else can oversee the games and someone can act as your "right hand" assistant and help out with a variety of tasks.

You'll discover all kinds of games and other ideas right here at Fun Kid Birthday Parties that will help you put together a wonderful birthday party.

Your child's first birthday party is an important event for you, your family and your son - so take a deep breath, look over the birthday party time line.

If you need more help, just come back here to our forum and we promise to help you put together a wonderful first birthday party for your son.

And by the way - you must be a very special mom to want to put together such a big party for your son.

Have FUN

Grandpa Mike
Fun Kid Birthday Parties