Reid's Birthday Party

One party down, 17 more to go...that is if we have a birthday party each year for Reid until he turns 18. I love birthday parties (even though planning one stresses me out), and I think I had a party every year for the first 18 years, so it's possible that this may be the start of 18 big birthday parties. The party was held at my parents' house and we had pizza, salad, fruit, chips, dip, rice krispy treats, and of course cake and ice cream. Even though there were only adults with the exception of Reid's cousin, Natalee who is 3 months older, I was still exhausted after the party. My mom helped so much and I really appreciate it!! I really don't know what I'd do if I had to plan things like this by myself. Reid actually liked the crowd and noise and he walked around showing how he dances (bounces up and down), smiling, and shaking his head from side to side because he has learned that these moves get laughs everytime. After everyone ate Reid (I) opened presents. As you know, a 1 year old is not too interested in opening gifts and Reid was no exception. He was way more interested in the cards though and kept grabbing a card and walking off! (However after I unloaded all the gifts at home, he loved exploring through all of his new gifts, and reading his new books.) After presents the time was getting to be way past an afternoon nap and Reid was getting tired. When we sat him in his high chair to do the cake he was crying and had tears running down his face, but when he saw the cake the tears dried up. I think Reid is going to be a neat (tidy) person because he definitely did not just dive into the cake! (However, he is Matt Northcutt's son, so what else would you expect?) :) I had to show him that he could put his fingers in the cake and after that he had no problem getting "dirty." He loved it! He definitely has the Baker sweet tooth. The smash cake was a big size so I had to take it away before he ate it all and he started crying because he did not want me to do that! We cut the regular cake for us adults and it was delicious! I bought the cake at the Cake Stand in McKinney and they did not disappoint! Very yummy and I loved how it turned out. Reid stayed up for about another hour and then just crashed around 4:30 and napped until 6:00. All in all the day was wonderful and even though the birthday boy and the birthday boy's parents were exhausted, it was a successful party. But, I must say that I am kind of glad that I've got 361 days until the next party.

View of the balloon decorations - on the mailbox and tied on iron stakes leading up the walkway

The iron stakes had votives in them and we put a floating daisy in each and tied a balloon around the stake

Main Table Decorations

Close-up of the cake, smash cake and invitation - the inspiration for the color choices

Gifts

Reid enjoyed "opening" his gifts, but with a short attention span after a few gifts he was ready to walk and play

although the cards were just perfect "carrying around toys"

We've got 1 tired little boy!

Mama showing Reid that it's ok to stick his finger in the cake...

getting the hang of it...

alright! I like eating like this! Plus, this is YUMMY!

I better eat as much as I can before Mama takes it away!

Before we knew it, Reid had eaten half of his cake!

The only family photo we could shoot...notice Reid still trying to eat the little pieces of cake left on his tray...he seriously loved it!

Matt's parents with Natalee and Reid

Reid with his Aunt Brittany and Aunt Courtney