On February 21, 2014 I was stressed.  I had lots of things that needed to be done at work, my yard looked like a hot mess and the plants that I had bought a week prior still weren’t planted (see my “Welcome to the Jungle” post), Girl Scout cookies needed to be delivered (and still need to be delivered), Gatorpalooza was lined up for the following day, and oh wait – Saturday was Sarah Amelia’s first birthday!  I complain a lot about stress and being too busy, but at certain times, stress is my coping mechanism.  Really….  When you need the razor sharp focus needed to get lots of things done, stress is mother nature’s way of helping you through.

The entire day I did the mental replay –  Last year at 10:00 am I was setting up PCR for my big experiment, at 3:30 pm I was walking to the doctor’s office – you get the picture.  Fortunately for me, all of those memories were very positive and I am still thankful to the facility where Sarah Amelia was born for creating those positive moments (see the “Push It” blog).  Finally, at 12:45 am on February 22, 2014, there Bryan and I were, decorating the house for the party and reminiscing.

The next day was a whirlwind of nothing but fun.  Gatorpalooza is this day long marathon of fun, beginning with a fun run for the kids and followed by games and lots of other ways to drain a mom or dad’s wallet.

Sarah Amelia’s party table – courtesy of Hobby Lobby!

Then it was time for Sarah’s party.  It wasn’t a big party, but I felt some kind of celebration was in order.  Heaven forbid that 20 years from now Sarah Amelia feel slighted, because Rachel’s first birthday party was vastly superior!  I decided to multi-purpose Valentine’s day decorations and sprinkle with first birthday stuff.  I think it was cute.  I have yet to create the perfectly smooth and pretty cake pops, but they were tasty!  I found a cute tutu-like-thing to put on the baby’s high chair – from Hobby Lobby.  (side note, if you want to pretend that you are Martha Stewart, go to Hobby Lobby and buy some of their decor.  Nobody will know the difference!)

Sarah did NOT want to wear her party hat.  We tried and tried, but she wouldn’t wear it!  Rachel did get her to wear it after the cake was finished!   One  of Rachel’s friends said, “you should take pictures for her baby book and write ‘I did not like my birthday hat'”!  I thought that was sweet 🙂  Sarah did love the cupcake.  I didn’t catch it on video, but toward the end of her eating the cake, she was clapping her hands wildly!

                   Obviously, this hat just wasn’t fashionable enough!

                                                        YUM!

Cupcakes are GOOD!!!!!!!

I can’t walk, but I can climb the stairs!!!

   I invited some of our neighbor friends.  Rachel insisted that we invite her friends as well so it would be a “real” party. I must say, having a bunch of older kids did make for a more lively party.   That was until Rachel was teased about wearing Sarah’s birthday hat.

Overall, it was a lovely day with our lovely daughters.  Yes, I am bragging.  Unapologetically.  They are sweet, pretty, and mine and Bryan’s most precious treasures.

Below is a little clip of Sarah with her cupcake, receiving help from her “big sisters” 🙂

the party kids