Need a theme for a first (or second) birthday party? Why not do a “This Ain’t My First Rodeo” theme? It is so versatile and can be so fun for little ones!
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We had a birthday at our house last week. Baby B turned one!
What a year it’s been with him. I breathe a sigh of relief now that we are moving into the toddler stage because his baby phase was difficult.
4 months of screaming and no sleep. And another 4-5 months struggling with a sleep schedule (or lack thereof). He also was attached to Mama and would not be held by anyone else. Every time we went out I told my husband we were never leaving the house again because it was so exhausting!
Things have changed though and he is becoming more independent. He loves playing with his dad and has started letting other people hold or interact with him.
He’s also a busy little beaver, literally. He chews on everything. Drywall, shoes, books, anything he can get his mouth on. It’s incredibly nerve-racking because I have to make sure the house is baby proofed and there are no small pieces for him to choke on!
This Ain’t My First Rodeo
Anyways we had a birthday party for him. His “first rodeo.” I pulled out my old cowboy hat and boots and made a smash cake that sort of looked like a cow. It was a beautiful day so we were able to sit in the backyard with family.
It was really lovely.
It was good for E too. He helped plan and do baking. It also gave him a chance to face the green-eyed monster (known as jealousy). We had good chats about it being B’s special day.
I made sure to remind E repeatedly how much we love him too! I know it’s hard to watch other people get things so I was glad E could learn how to manage that icky jealous feeling.
Birthday Party
Okay enough about my kids. Here are some ideas for your party! I have a free printable for you, which is suitable for a first or second birthday. Check it out below.
I kept the party simple. I used some big boxes to paint a barn door for our backdrop. Then I picked up some supplies from the dollar store to make things look “rustic.” I stuck to red and white as much as I could and was able to find a checkered table cloth that fit the bill.
This ain’t my first rodeo! A fun birthday theme for a first or second birthday.
Included in the download are printable tags to label your food! I made my own smash cake and did the fondant on my own but I will NEVER do that again (lol).
Food:
- Hay bales (Rice Krispie squares)
- Lasso ropes (Twizzlers)
- Garden fresh fruit & veggies (fruit/veggie tray)
- Cow patties (brownies cut into circles)
- Handsaws, pitchforks & shovels (knives, forks & spoons)
We blew bubbles, sat around and ate food and chatted. We didn’t do any games but if I had more time I would have picked up horseshoes or bean bag toss.
So all in all Baby B’s First Rodeo was a success!
This Ain’t My First Rodeo Download
Enjoy the Ride!
There were so many things I learned this past year; it was hard but rewarding. The kid baby B is growing into is wonderful (of course)! All those long hours rocking him and singing to him paid off. God has been so good to me on this motherhood journey!
I know this is just the beginning. The first year in what I hope to be a long life but the first year is incredibly important. So many things happen in that first year as babies grow and learn. It’s a year that won’t go on their resume and no one will care when they started crawling or climbing, but those first twelve months shape who they are.
I’m so proud of my happy, hand waving, song loving little boy. He brings us so much joy and I feel so blessed to be his Mama.
This whole Mom thing is tough but the reward is our children. Those ten little fingers and ten little toes, sloppy kisses and bursts of laughter.
Some days it does feel like a rodeo in my house but it ain’t my first. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
Most days my back feels like I’ve been riding a bucking bronco (although maybe my back is bad because I’ve ridden a few bucking ponies in my day…). So if need be, I’ll brush myself off, climb back in that saddle and keep being the best Mama I can be!
Enjoy the ride, whether it’s your first, second, third (or more) rodeo!
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