Today, my youngest child (my third son) is exactly one-year-old and 9 months. I am very thankful that until now he breastfeeds from me and he has not tasted any formula milk. Since he started eating solid foods at 6 months old, he has also been eating all natural baby food. I did not buy or feed him Cerelac or Gerber, like what I did when I was a first-time mom.

As my gift to him today, I decided to finally finish choosing the photos for his first birthday album. This has long been delayed by the many things that kept me busy in the past months. I’m so happy to have emailed my chosen photos to our photographer! I hope we get the album before his second birthday.

Since I was reminded of the wonderful memories of that special day, let me share with you about that kiddie party that I planned and organized last year in November.

I love planning parties. Banquet Management was one of my favorite subjects when I was a Hotel Restuarant Administration student at the University of the Philippines. It’s one of my favorite outlets for my creative juices. So, I do not hire party planners for my kids’ birthday parties. I plan them myself. I also like DIYing stuff. So, if I have the time and energy for DIY, I just do it myself.

This was the first superhero theme party that I planned for one of my kids. I chose this theme because my husband and I were watching episodes of The Flash while I was going through labor for our third child. It was my way of relaxing in between contractions. I also thought that it was fitting because my son’s first year went by like a flash. Actually, his second year is also unfolding so fast. He’s almost two years old now! Wow!

So, how did I plan this party? I started looking for inspirations on the internet after I have decided on the party theme. Then, I looked for potential suppliers. I didn’t get an event stylist, too. Again, I like styling parties. I like styling venues and homes. I just love decorating! And I’m so blessed to have found great suppliers for this birthday party! I found someone who did the balloons and buntings. She also helped set up the place. I found a new cake and cupcake supplier who also did the customized cookies! They even customized the words in the tags for these goodies based on my specifications. Then, I designed the tarpaulins and sent them for printing by my trusted printer. My husband did the AVP with some help from me in choosing photos to be included. I did the hosting as usual. I usually host my kids’ birthday parties. Aside from being the one of knows my baby best and who can tell so many stories about him growing in the past year, it also saves us money. We’ve decided to hold it in the same restaurant where he had his baptismal reception. Aside from being close to our home, we got a discounted rate because of their Ninong Ko Si Max program.

 

 

Now, let me continue telling the story through photos. I found this photographer through one of the Facebook groups I am a part of. He’s the husband of one of the breastfeeding moms who is part of the group.

I made a time capsule for my son. Got this idea from the internet also. I just customized the pads and printed them using our printer at home. I included this detail in the invitation I made and sent to our guests. I’m so glad our guests were so game in contributing to Geordan’s time capsule!

I made the hats and name tags. I also came up with the concept to customize the balloon towers and centerpieces and asked my supplier to execute my ideas.

I also made the loot bags and personally wrapped the prizes for the games. I planned games for the program that were relevant to both Geordan and the party theme.

I had fun hosting the party. The kids had fun playing. The guests had fun watching the kids play, eating, mingling and having their photos at our DIY photo booth. I also DIYed the masks. I simply asked my balloon supplier to make set up the buntings and the balloon towers.

 

 

I really loved how our dessert table turned out even though it was only DIY. Max restaurant’s staff help set up the tarpaulin backdrop. They followed my instructions regarding the cloth covers. I found the right supplier for the cake and cupcakes. I simply gave them photos to be used as pegs and they got them right. I bought popcorn and mixed nuts from the supermarket and put them in nice paper cups from my balloon supplier also. Then I customized the label of the juices I bought from the supermarket. I bought the plates and plastic glasses from the supermarket also. I just put a The Flash logo on the glasses. I also bought red Stick-o wafers and put them in glass jars and added curled ribbons.

 

The kids enjoyed the desserts a lot but we reminded them that they need to eat rice and chicken first.

It was one of the kiddie parties I enjoyed the most planning, executing and hosting! Soon, I will be planning for his second birthday celebration.