Is it too much?

If you are enjoying these projects, they're not stressing you out, and they're not breaking you financially, I say go for it! They only turn one once. However, if it gets to be overwelming to you, or detracts from the fun of planning and attending the party - stop immediately! This should be a time you enjoy, and your guests will really just be there to celebrate the little one's big day. They won't notice any of the extra stuff if it's missing. I have big ideas, procrastinate and then freak out. It's almost been a blessing that we've moved away from family and can just focus on celebrating the birthday kid instead of stressing out.

Get those friends to take lots of pictures, and don't put so much emphasis on the hosting that you can't sit back, relax and enjoy!

GopherGirl is a discussion follower. She lives in the West Valley with her husband and two boys, ages 4 and 2.

Obviously the little one won't have a clue what's going on BUT I did the exact same thing. I'm a graphic designer so I plotted the images and made the poster 24x36. I had 1 picture for each month (goofy/silly ones and serious ones). The folks that came were mostly family members and some kids (different ages) so I made it fun for the group. I came up with a 15 questions about my little one and listed a through d answers so they can circle. Customized a Bingo game with her favorite items. Had the kids work on with finger paints. I provided one sheet of paper and had each guest paint an image then write their name on it. Once it was dried I framed it and hung it in her room. Did other games but can't remember all of them. Going back to your original question . . . I think the poster thing is a good conversation piece. Have fun with it!!

I think the posterboard thing is cute. A girl in my mommy group did a slideshow of pictures of her son for his 1st birthday and just had it running on a loop on her tv during the party. It was very cute. I think I'm going to do something like that or the posterboard when my twins turn 1 in a few months.

Enjoy it. I would just say don't spend hundreds of dollars for unnecessary little things. If it's inexpensive, or if you can afford it, and you're enjoying the projects there's no reason to not do them.

Have fun with it and enjoy it! Take lots of pictures. Don't rely upon everyone else taking pictures. I always take pictures before the birthday party of how everything was decorated. For both of my kid's birthdays I make a slide show showing how they have changed over the years. If anyone looks at it I don't care. I enjoy making it and reminiscing over the special moments. I have now done this seven times combined with my children's birthdays and I love each one. For my oldest son's first birthday I bought an extra large framed collage picture and put pictures from his first year. I hung it in his room, where it stayed until he was 5. I also make my children's birthday cakes. It is a lot of work, but a labor of love for me. Be sure to do a handprint and footprint on their birthday! So neat to look back and see how small they were.

arizona_mom is a stay-at-home mother of two boys, a kindergartener and a two year old. Just sharing my two cents worth. www.mops.org

My poor second kid. I did similar things for my firstborn and then when the second kid came along I really mellowed out. I let my kids (second one at very early age) help plan and make things for their own parties. They loved it and now that they are getting older they get a budget and either chooses a few friends and something big to do or a bunch of kids and a pizza/pool party.

Its great that you enjoy doing all these things, they all sound great. as others wrote, if its not stressing you or causing financial stress, enjoy it and hopefully you will have as much time and enthusiasm next time

discussion leader, mom of an 11 year old girl. At this time, she is trying to make it work between raising her and having a full time job!

They key is to do what you enjoy. It sounds like you are having fun with these projects and that is great. Just let go of the things that are causing you too much stress, because you do not want that stress to cloud such a wonderful celebration.
I think all that come to the party will enjoy seeing how your daughter has grown throughout the year and the more pictures etc... you can organize now the better. Have fun!

JuneSlager is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com, raising three children (ages 15, 14, & 11) in Northeast Phoenix.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I am not stressed out in the least bit over these things, as I have been planning for months now, most every thing else is taken care of except for purchasing the food, cake, and balloons which will be done in the appropriate time. These little projects just give me things to do in the meantime, as I wait on people to R.S.V.P.
I did see the response about the slideshow and I had made some already for my mom, my MIL, and my dad for Father's/Mother's day. so I could actually do that, and I have also already gone through the pictures and selected a few, so that is already mostly finished too.
Many of you suggested I take lots of pictures and I assure you I will. I am a picture person, if you have seen my posts before you probably know this. In fact I have a family website which I update with photos and blogs so that my family members, wherever they live, can see what we have been up to, it has been fantastic.
Finally, many of you have reminded me to take time to enjoy the party and that is something I am looking forward to. I have to say that my MIL IS THE BEST. We live out of town and she asked us if we wanted to have the party at her home. She is so excited and is going to be a great help to me and my husband, as she usually is, and I am very thankful for that.
Thank you for your responses, I got some great ideas, and remembered how lucky I was to have the family I do in my life.

KELLY

No, I don't really think it is possible to go overboard where your kids are concerned, especially if you are enjoying the process:) I, too, go a little crazy around birthdays and want everything to be extra special and creative. My son will be 3 in Feb and I already have most of his party planned. The cake and cupcakes are ordered, the menu planned, puppet show booked, invitations in the process of being designed, etc.....So GO CRAZY! Enjoy and happy birthday to your little one!

I'm with Kelli (the other one).

If/when you have a second (or third), you aren't going to have pics from each month -- much less the time to put them together.

Knock yourself out. Be sure to post a few party pics for us!

I go overboard on parties too, because I enjoy the creative outlet (away from my workng world of data, data, data!). If you are having fun, then don't stop there!

"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein