Without a Bang

Well this past Saturday was Barrett's 1st birthday party & it didn't go off with a bang. I usually have all my ducks in a row & am the oober crazy lady who plans things five years in advance, not this time around! I had this whole vision of having this glorious party at the park & honestly not a single thing happened as I thought. I was going to make this awesome balloon caterpillar, have an adorable cupcake display & everyone would 'ooo' & 'aaa' at my amazing craftiness.
This is how the day went for me. I woke up around 8:30am (we usually get up at 7:30am) I did some dishes, straightened up the house, fed the dogs, made breakfast & ran to Target for a couple last minute things. Once I got back to the house I put Barrett down for a nap, so he would be rested for his party. As soon as he was asleep I started on the cupcakes, by this time is was already 10:30am & the party started at 12pm! I rushed around like a headless chicken trying to get everything ready to go. Ben loaded the coolers, tables & chairs in his truck then left the house about 11:15am so he could get ice on his way. My sister arrived to my house just as Barrett woke up & Ben was leaving. She found me in just my underwear in the closet trying to find something to wear, thank goodness she brought me a dress. I hurried & threw it on while she got Barrett dressed. We piled all the rest of the food in my car & took off. I was so behind I had to do my makeup in the car! We pulled up to the park 15 minutes before the party started, I originally planned on being there an hour before! This is when the crazy started. We rushed to get everything set out, thank goodness my parents were bringing the party sub because I probably would've completely forgot it. We barely got the table clothes on before the first guests arrived. My cousins helped put up a birthday banner, some streams & a couple balloons. By this time it was already too late & people were already there.
I felt more busy & rushed then I did at our wedding. Before we knew it we were doing cupcakes & gifts. The day honestly flew by so fast that I don't even think I had a chance to blink. The good part about it all was that everyone seemed to have a really good time. Barrett was non-stop smiling & loved all the play time. Despite is being 100 degrees out & me not having anything put together, I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. My sister luckily took a lot of video & my mom & mother-in-law snapped some pictures. If it wasn't for them I probably wouldn't have any!
I truly have never felt so unprepared for something before. I know I had all these wonderful things in my head but, when it came down to it they didn't matter. The kids laughed, played & everyone was smiling. In the end all the time consuming things didn't make the party, the people that came did! I'm sure nobody really noticed (or atleast I hoped they didn't) that I didn't have some elaborate thing going on. It was good people, with good food & all for a special little handsome 1 year old boy. We started out without a bang but, ended with a truly fun day!
I can't thank all our family & friends enough for helping us celebrate such a special occassion. We had so many people there & so much love for our little stinker bug. We're lucky to have such amazing people in our life! Thank you all for your help, gifts & for just being there to celebrate with us XOXO
Here are a few snap shots of the party. I sadly didn't even get a chance to take any photos with my good camera & my mom just took a few with my old point & shoot. I'm really broken hearted about not having amazing pictures but, my sister got some great video to make up for it.