This Friday, June 3, is my daughter's first birthday. It seems like only yesterday I was beyond exhausted, up all night, and whispering dirty words to my husband as labor pains took hold of my abdomen--thank God it was nearly a year ago though, I'm happy to have some semblance of normalcy returning.

For my daughter's birthday I considered having a big family reunion up in our tiny home with aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents all attending. I also considered inviting her "friends" from the storytimes at the local libraries and her Gymboree class. Instead, I've read numerous times to keep the parties small.

Now, my child is a sociable child, but I have to totally agree on the theory that first birthdays are more for the parents than the children. The parents are the ones excited about the cute outfits, the party hats, matching themed plates and cups (that most one-year-olds still don't know how to use), and baking cute sugary cakes that one-year-olds still don't really eat. 

Just taking my daughter around half her family made her cranky and overwhelmed I can't even imagine what a huge party would turn this normally overly smiley baby into. So, instead I've gone along with the idea of doing two, underwhelming, parties of no more than six people: one party for immediate family and one party for her "friends." 

Let's cross our toes that there are cute photos to be had and no tears. I'll update next week on how the first one goes.