It wasn't fancy. Our decorations were $10 worth of balloons, napkins and cups left over from his baby shower, and his own John Deere tractors that I frantically pulled out of the toy box that morning when I saw my friend's decor for her kid's birthday on Facebook and decided I had to do something to fancy the place up. I got everything set out and used the tractors to decorate. The Boy from Texas promptly walked in and said, "Why are there random tractors everywhere?" I said, "That's the decorations!" He responded, "I wouldn't really worry much about that crap." This. This right there is why I needed to marry someone like him!
He seemed quite perplexed as to why all these people were singing a song he had never heard and staring at him. But that didn't last long and then, it was cake time.
His great grandmother made an adorable train cake for the occasion. This was really special because she also made all of The Boy from Texas' birthday cakes when he was little and also happened to whip up our wedding cake! Although BB was a bit timid at first about eating this, and even though to his dad's disappointment he really didn't think a spoon was necessary, soon he was covered in frosting.
He went directly from the high chair to the bath tub, still wearing his party hat.
Next up, it was time for presents. He seemed quite excited about the gifts he got, which ranged from a wooden train, to a Tonka truck, to John Deere tractors, to books, to pajamas, to an engraved silverware set, to a dozen farm fresh eggs to money for his savings account.
His biggest present was from his mom and dad, who spent entirely too much money on this John Deere wagon. But he absolutely loves it. We've deemed it the cake wagon and we take him and his bucket of cake out to feed every evening and you've never seen a kid so happy. He also really enjoys putting his treasures in his wagon for safekeeping. So far that's included several rocks, some cake cubes, and a shoe.
The one activity I knew I wanted to do is something I stole from SoulMate Friend at her son's first birthday party 6 years ago. She bought blank cards and labeled each one with his name and a number. Then all of the party guests at his first birthday got a card and were to write a note to BB, which he will open on the birthday that corresponds with his number. So, for example, he will open the note with the number 18 on it on his 18th birthday. I think this is such a special thing and I can't wait for him to have these notes for future birthdays!
BB seemed to thoroughly enjoy his big day. H e was surrounded by friends and family and spent the whole day smiling. Between the balloons and all the different people willing to take him outside and listen to his rambling, the food, the fact that we let him basically bathe in cake, and all the fun new toys he got, it was a good day for this little boy.
