Do I need to elaborate?

Okay. Here we go.

On May 16th, my little guy is going to be 1 year old. It’s a momentous occasion and a special day for his daddy and me… yet it won’t mean anything to him. So I guess I’m asking what on earth we should do to mark the occasion.

We’ve ear-marked Saturday 18th May to celebrate and written invites for our immediate family. They are rather boring - the time, the place (our house), and a number to RSVP. That’s it. No theme, no mention of what we’re doing, no mention of nibbles…

So far the only thing Craig and I have decided, is that we’ll be supplying alcohol for the adults. We’ll need it. Our house has a huge downstairs - but a huge downstairs means there’s more space to tidy when the chaos is over!

My friends have really thrown down the gauntlet. I’ve attended first birthday’s with bouncy castles, BBQ’s, magicians etc. But Dexter is 1! I can’t help but think (uh know) that he won’t remember a damn thing. We’ve been to pirate parties, superhero parties, swimming parties… the list is endless! Do I even try to compete with the big boys? I can already hear you shouting a resounding NOOOO.

But what if I don’t?

I’ll have all these people around our house, some ASDA nibbles, a superior selection of wine and beer… and that’s it. I’ll have a room full of little people (ages 6 months to 6 years) and naff all to distract them from smearing cake up the walls!

I’m weary of the television. As tempting as it is to give the kids a Justin Fletcher fest and down wine in the kitchen, I don’t think I could stand 3 hours of Mr Tumble (or any of his alter ego’s).

I’m also aware May won’t be warm enough to get in the garden and create a kid’s paradise. There’ll be no sandpit, paddling pool, bouncy castle… beer barrels (sigh)… The weather is bound to let us down.

So we’ll be house-bound.

So what do we do??? Help! What activities can we do that’ll impress the babies, the toddlers, and the kids? PLEASE help.

Oh and if you can send me the links of online shops that could help make the house look a bit more kiddified - do. I’m guessing I’ll need to do the ‘gaudy thing’… Oh and then there’s goody bags… HELP!